Input sought for new state workforce plan

July 18, 2012 By

The State of Missouri’s Workforce Integrated Plan for Program Years 2012 through 2016 is now available for public comment online.  According to the Division of Workforce Development, this plan was developed using the instructions given in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration’s (DOLETA) Training and Employment Guidance Letter Number 21-11, “Requirements for 2012 State Workforce Plans.” The plan addresses specific planning elements for programs funded under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act and the Wagner-Peyser Act, as well as other DOLETA-funded programs.

On July 13, 2012, the Missouri Workforce Investment Board voted to recommend to the Governor that this new plan be approved and submitted to DOLETA following a 30-day public comment period.

The Division urges workforce professionals to share the communications about the plan with chief local elected officials, local workforce investment board members, service providers and any other interested parties, including organizations representing the diverse populations. Comments on the plan may be forwarded to Anita Henry at anita.henry@ded.mo.gov by August 14, 2012.

Filed Under: Featured, Public Policy

Feds cite Missouri’s exemplary approach to one-stop integration

June 22, 2012 By

The U. S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) recently paid tribute to Missouri’s approach to workforce development.  Specifically, ETA acknowledged the Next General Career Center model, first implemented in Missouri Career Centers statewide in December 2009.  In its annual guidance for state and local workforce agencies on improving the effectiveness of workforce programs, ETA emphasized the need to streamline administrative processes to maximize program efficiency.One way to do this is to simplify the processes for customer intake, application completion, and case management.

“For example, Missouri’s Next Generation Career Center initiative integrates service delivery for customers across a wide variety of workforce programs, including Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), WIA, and Wagner-Peyser programs,” ETA noted. Missouri is among the states that have streamlined the intake and eligibility process for first-time career center customers, thereby fast tracking them for better service.

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Filed Under: Featured, Initiatives, Public Policy

State of the U.S. Workforce System: Incremental Realignment or Serious Reform?

June 15, 2012 By

The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development published a report this month titled, The State of the U.S. Workforce System: A Time for Incremental Realignment or Serious Reform?  Authored by Kathy Krepcio and Michele M. Martin, the publication aims Aims to start a dialogue about the U.S. workforce system by asking: What would a 21st Century workforce system look like if we built it for today’s economy, using today’s tools and processes? And, in the new economy, where and how can the public workforce system add true and targeted value?

 

Filed Under: Featured, Public Policy, Research

GLETA & NAWB team up for midwest workforce conference

May 15, 2012 By

The National Association for Workforce Boards and the Great Lakes Employment and Training Association teamed up to host a workforce conference geared to midwestern states.  Themed as Dialogue in the Heartland, the event is slated for June 14-15  in Chicago.

Today’s economy presents the workforce and economic development world with challenges it has not faced in decades. This event will present a wide array of strategies to assist with meeting and overcoming today’s challenges. It will provide a forum for partnering and networking with leaders from all facets of workforce and economic development.

Boards are the nexus point of business, education and the workforce. The challenges are daunting.  The Thursday sessions revolve around the role of the WIBs; the issues, the policy considerations and will allow time for discussion so all can learn.  NAWB convened a group of WIBs that have begun to tackle the work & the metrics-of-success for WIBs. NAWB has also been involved with a number of others in establishing some guidance on Return on Investments (ROI), and we will share what we’ve learned.

Friday’s portion of the conference features workshops and issues on-the-ground. Preliminary topics include a session on monitoring and finances, college completion initiatives, and the future of One-Stop career centers.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Events, Public Policy

Online healthcare career exploration portal launched today

April 16, 2012 By

Today, at Goodwill Industries’ International Spring Advocacy conference, the Department of Labor (DOL) Assistant Secretary Jane Oates announced the launch of the Virtual Career Network (VCN), an online portal for career exploration and training for healthcare occupations.

“Health care continues to be one of the bright lights in our improving economy,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “In order to sustain this positive momentum, we must do everything we can to ensure that our workforce is equipped with the skills and experience that meet the needs of this growing industry. This exciting new platform will help connect people with the knowledge and training they need to qualify for available health care jobs.”

The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) and other organizations partnered with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), which had received a grant from DOL to develop the VCN. NAWB conducted research on healthcare occupations and education and training programs to populate the site, and partnered with Jobs for the Future to develop and deliver training on its use.

“Our members understand the demand for healthcare workers across the United States. Having a skilled healthcare workforce is essential to a community’s growth and infrastructure,” said Ron Painter, Chief Executive Officer at NAWB. “We have worked extensively with AACC and other partners to ensure that jobseekers have a comprehensive one-stop portal of information to enter and excel in the healthcare field. We hope that all WIB staff will share this tool and use it to get jobseekers into this growing industry.”

Jobseekers can use the VCN to:

  • Explore over 80 healthcare occupations, 11 of which require less than one-year of education and 37 that require a two-year degree;
  • Assess their interest, aptitude and readiness to pursue a healthcare career and complete the education and training needed to obtain a job;
  • Determine whether any gaps exist in their academic preparation or prior work experience that they would need to fill to prepare for their healthcare career;
  • Take foundation education and training online through the VCN to prepare them for enrollment;
  • Locate and enroll in a training or instructional program that will qualify them for a job; and
  • Access tools that will help them locate and apply for job openings.

The VCN allows users to set up a career management account and store career preferences and information. In addition, users can find national and local information about healthcare careers and see job listings in their area.  Also of interest to workforce professionals is the affiliation of VCN as a proud partner of America’s Job Center Network.

 

Filed Under: Public Policy, Training & Education

Kansas City Fed joins with partners to address workforce needs

February 20, 2012 By

Unemployment trends continue to confound the economy two years after the Great Recession and related financial crisis of 2007 to 2009.  As a result, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is joining with other Reserve Banks to find ways to facilitate more workforce training programs.

Complementing the many workforce development activities being planned this year by Federal Reserve Banks across the nation is the National Conference on Workforce Development to be hosted by the Kansas City Fed, in partnership with the Atlanta Fed, on Sept. 19 and 20, 2012. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Events, Featured, Initiatives, Public Policy, Research

TEAM adopts policy position on workforce system reform

February 16, 2012 By

Members and officers with the Training and Employment Administrators of Missouri officially adopted a policy position on workforce system reform at its January and February meetings.  Re-Inventing the Workforce System is the title of the white paper that delivers the recommendations endorsed by TEAM members as the WIBs that administer the WIA Title 1 program in Missouri’s 14 local workforce investment areas.

The practical approach for improving the quality and effectiveness of employment and training services, builds on the success of the current system, address inefficiencies, and focuses on increasing direct services to customers.  Download the PDF white paper online from TEAM.

Filed Under: Featured, Initiatives, Public Policy

GOA touts nationwide results of LWIBs collaborating with employers

February 16, 2012 By

The Governmental Accounting Office (GAO) published a report recently touting the positive effects of local WIBs collaborating with employers.  DOL Secretary Hilda Solis echoed praises for the public workforce system in testimony to congress, as noted in her statement issued February 16th.

According to GAO, Workforce board officials and their partners in the 14 initiatives cited a range of factors that facilitated building innovative collaborations. Almost all of the collaborations grew out of efforts to address urgent workforce needs of multiple employers in a specific sector, such as health care, manufacturing, or agriculture, rather than focusing on individual employers. Additionally, the partners in these initiatives made extra effort to understand and work with employers so they could tailor services such as jobseeker assessment, screening, and training to address specific employer needs. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured, Public Policy, Research, Training & Education

Workforce Day @ the Capital set for April 17th

February 15, 2012 By

Training and Employment Administrators of Missouri (TEAM) and the Missouri Association for Workforce Development (MAWD) joined forces to thank Missouri legislators and staff for their service to Missouri job seekers and employers.  Workforce Day @ the Capital is a breakfast event planned in the Capital Rotunda from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17th.  Invitations are going out soon to legislators and their aides in Jefferson City.  MAWD board members and LWIB members of TEAM will be on hand with workforce system advocacy materials.

Filed Under: Events, Featured, Public Policy

Local director named president for U.S. Mayors Workforce Council

January 25, 2012 By

Full Employment Council, Inc. President and CEO Clyde McQueen was elected president of the United States Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council (WDC) at the organization’s 80th Winter Meeting last week in Washington D.C. Mr. McQueen will lead the WDC for the next year and will continue the council’s efforts to provide a forum for Mayors and their employment and training administrators to examine all workforce development issues and to strengthen the ability of cities to meet the needs of their citizens; particularly economically disadvantaged individuals, those with serious skill deficiencies, dislocated workers, returning veterans, and others with special barriers to employment, including youth.

“I am honored to serve in this important role with The U.S. Conference of Mayors,” said Mr. McQueen. “Jobs and the economy continue to be a primary focus for Kansas City and all cities, and I look forward to providing mayors with the critical information that will help them effectively address today’s workforce development challenges.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured, Public Policy
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