The International Economic Development Council plans to showcase Missouri’s experience in disaster recovery in a webinar November 20th. This virtual event provides a how-to introduction on developing workforce training programs in disaster-impacted communities.
A major disaster can disrupt market flows and impact local businesses in ways beyond the imagination. Either temporary business closures or permanent business relocations can cause major redundancies for the local workforce as well as discourage new talent from moving into the impacted communities. The situation can also exacerbate difficulties faced by disadvantaged populations.
This webinar will explore how economic developers can work with workforce development organizations to develop and implement new training programs that are based on changing market realities caused by the event. Learn about the process to identify skills to address business needs that help to strengthen the region’s recovery and growth prospects. Speakers will present case examples from Joplin, Missouri following their EF-5 tornado and Katrina- impacted communities.
Attendees will learn:
- How to leverage additional federal funds to support workforce systems already in place
- About best practices to engage private employers in your workforce training efforts
- Strategies to tie disaster recovery workforce initiatives to growing industrial sectors/clusters within your region.
Presenters include Jasen Jones with the Southwest MO WIB and Barbara Johnson, one of the leaders in the Katrina recovery effort. More information on the webinar and how to participate may be found online at http://restoreyoureconomy.org/developing-workforce-training-programs-webinar/.