Key WIB Goals
The LWIB has identified the following key workforce issues and goals to be considered as we develop policies, programming and process:
Continuing stream of dislocated workers- Need to develop comprehensive career planning, skills assessment and training options for dislocated workers
- Encourage the development of training and education capacity that result in marketable skills
Growing skills shortages from entry-level to professional-level in numerous job categories (e.g. trades, health care, engineering)
- Provide accessibility to career planning and training opportunities for the under-represented populations and individuals with barriers (e.g. lack of education/skill credentials, older workers, economically disadvantaged, individuals with disabilities, underemployed workers)
Fierce competition and speed-of-light technology changes for businesses
- Align the LWIB's strategic plan to address businesses' needs to compete and train workers (employed and unemployed) as business strategies are revised to meet the growing demand to cut costs, update technologies and hold a place in a global marketplace
- Encourage the development of education/training capacity so that our community can support and respond to the emerging and existing business and industries
Emerging workforce that is deficient in basic competencies needed by business
- Motivate and educate an emerging workforce in core competencies in math, science, literacy, communications, critical thinking, problem solving and a strong work ethic
Employment and training model traditionally focuses on short term goal of "getting the job"
- Change model to one that emphasizes planning a career strategy that is skills-based and responsive to rapidly changing job market
Shifting demographics (out-migration of young professionals and an aging workforce)
- Foster ""strategic networking"" possibilities by developing close relationships with company recruiters
- Collaborate on attraction, retention and on-the-job training strategies targeted towards opening up paths for younger workers using OJT and targeted recruitment activities
Entrepreneurs represent significant percentage of new economic growth
- Support the growing entrepreneurial development in our region
WIA dollars are continuing to shrink as needs grow
- Effectively and strategically utilize WIA dollars and leverage other resources (state, federal, private) by working collaborately with other government, business and community organizations
- Introduce efficiency concepts, encouraging cross-training and realignment of One Stop staff into work teams (vs. separate units) maximizing capacity of staff, closer collaboration with One Stop partners
Traditional employment and training service models revolve around programs
- Restructure plan for service delivery and encourage the evolution of a One Stop without walls that is customer-driven
- Adopt the issues set forth by the State in their Two Year Comprehensive Plan, including the need to increase labor force participation rates by increasing the availability and access to training; promote programs that contextualize English as a Second Language for the workplace to strengthen our immigrant workforce and turn our attention to aligning economic and labor market needs with the K-12 curriculum to increase the understanding of local economies and the critical role education plays in keeping those economies vibrant
The LWIB, partner and community oversight and listening groups will be involved in strategic planning and continous improvement process. Gaps in information, between labor supply and demand; skill gaps; training capacity and resource gapds will be identified along with strategies to address them.