Two years of RGF Connect: counting and celebrating social outcomes

“As we celebrate two years of RGF Connect and wrap up our first ever Global Week of Impact, I am beyond proud of the difference we’ve made across the world,” says Melissa Fulmore-Hardwick, Global Head of RGF Connect. Through the power of the strategic and purpose driven RGF Connect programs, Melissa and thousands of her colleagues worldwide have helped transform the lives of individuals facing barriers to the labor market. “We connect them to meaningful employment opportunities, while also supporting our clients in meeting critical workforce needs.”

From local to global impact

A few years ago, RGF Staffing’s operating company CSI Companies launched CSI Connect in Jacksonville, Florida (USA). This initiative introduced students from underserved communities to careers in technology, professional training, and life-changing opportunities. What began as a local project became the seed for RGF Connect, now a global social program running workforce development programs across nine countries in Asia, Europe, Australia and North America.

Through job readiness programs, upskilling, and placement support, RGF Connect has helped individuals move closer to meaningful employment, many from communities traditionally distanced from the labor market. RGF Connect collaborates with mission-aligned companies, government agencies, community groups, and training partners to deliver locally grounded, globally aligned impact. “A significant percentage of RGF Connect participants successfully transition into job placements, internships, or further education pathways, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness. RGF Connect has helped clients meet urgent workforce needs with talent pipelines built through strategic hiring models, proving that social impact can drive business results,” adds Melissa.

Melissa expresses her thanks to everyone who has supported RGF Connect over the past few years: ”Thank you to all our colleagues, our participants, clients, and partners for joining us on this important journey. Together, we are creating local ripples that are turning into global waves of opportunity and impact.”

Boosting social responsibility

During the RGF Connect Global Week of Impact, marking the two-year anniversary of the program. We elevated our social impact by delivering a powerful lineup of work-readiness initiatives and community-building efforts across every operating company and at our global headquarters. Every day of the week, teams around the world were actively engaged by planning, leading, and volunteering in ways that truly reflect the heart of RGF Connect. With more teams involved and more lives touched than ever before, this extraordinary week showcased the strength of our global collaboration and our shared commitment to helping individuals move closer to meaningful employment.

And as we create opportunities for people with a distance from the labor market, our clients benefit too. They are gaining access to a fresh, motivated pipeline of upskilled talent ready to meet today’s workforce demands. The impact continues to grow, and so does the momentum.

“Social impact and business strategy go hand in hand”

Yvonne Mastenbroek, Chief Sustainability Officer at RGF Staffing, reflects on the broader importance and impact of RGF Connect: “By bridging employment gaps and addressing workforce needs, RGF Connect demonstrates how social impact and business strategy go hand in hand. This is sustainability in action – empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and supporting our clients through inclusive workforce solutions. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and even more excited for what’s ahead.”

RGF Connect’s second anniversary marked the end of the Global Week of Impact, highlighting initiatives that connect people to education, training and work across the world.