New Kauffman Foundation Study on Entrepreneurship

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has published a new survey report, “Making of a Successful Entrepreneur: The Anatomy of an Entrepreneur,” which presents and explores entrepreneurs’ views about what influences the success or failure of startup businesses. The survey researched the beliefs of 549 company founders of successful businesses in high-growth industries, including aerospace, defense, computing, electronics, and health care. Company founders surveyed indicated that the most critical factors in startup success are prior work experience, learning from previous successes and failures, having a strong management team, and plain luck. Less important factors noted include business location, investor advice, alumni networks, and state or regional assistance. The study notes that understanding what makes entrepreneurs successful could help develop better policies to foster entrepreneurship and increase the numbers of high-growth companies. Related Resources: Entrepreneurship for Veterans with Disabilities: Lessons Learned from the Field Opportunities for Rural Community and Economic Development The Green Coast Innovation Zone Green Spotlight: Innovators and Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship Summit Final Findings – Project Gate (Growing America Through Entrepreneurship) http://www.entrepreneurship.gov http://www.entrepreneurship.org

2009 Excellence in Tech-Based Economic Development Award Winners

The State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) recently announced the winners of its 2009 Excellence in Tech-Based Economic Development (TBED) Award. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in TBED emphasizing impact, strategic value, and replicability.

Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership Mobile Outreach Skills Training Program

The Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) operates an innovative accelerated job creation and job training program called Mobile Outreach Skills Training, or MOST. The MOST program is a two-week, intensive job training and placement program that “fast-tracks” Florida’s most-in-need job seekers into skilled, entry-level positions in the aerospace, biotechnology, electronics, plastics, pharmaceuticals, precision metal, construction, energy efficiency/conservation, and renewable energy manufacturing sectors. Successful trainees are awarded a Lean to Green Institute Sustainable Manufacturing Certificate, helping them become an integral part of their employers’ green initiatives.

New Publication on Career Pathway Models and Programs

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) and the National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) have released a joint publication, Thriving in Challenging Times: Connecting Education to Economic Development Through Career Pathways. This resource highlights successful career pathway models that create relevant, challenging learning environments for students and are designed to increase American employers' access to highly-skilled, qualified workers. Thriving in Challenging Times profiles 17 local and two statewide career pathways programs in multiple industry sectors, documenting the challenges, strategies, results, and business engagement each partnership has experienced.

New STEM Collaborative Launched in Colorado

Secondary and post-secondary education partners in Colorado have teamed to launch the Colorado Academy for the Development of STEM-related Careers (Colorado ADSC). The Colorado ADSC alliance seeks to position the state as a leader in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, from kindergarten to the post-secondary graduate studies level, and to ready students for entry into high-growth, STEM-related industries and sectors. The collaborative will offer students training, multi-level certifications and degrees, and job placement assistance. Other related resource: TEN 23-07: Building and Sustaining an Educated and Prepared STEM Workforce

Workforce Solutions 2009 Update

Since 2008, The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has disseminated 541 solutions through the Workforce3One innovative solutions project developed under the Community-Based Job Training Grants and High Growth Job Training Initiative. This flyer provides information on the 2009 Updates to these solutions.

California Space Authority Report

A recent study by the California Space Authority (CSA) shows California leading the nation and world in contributions to the economy. California accounts for 44 percent of the U.S. space market, and 21 percent of the global market, contributing more than $76 billion in total economic impact and more than 370,000 jobs.

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Community-Based Job Training Grants (Round 4) Teleconference on Performance Reporting

On April 2, 2009 the Business Relations Group conducted a teleconference with Community-Based Job Training Grantees (Round 4) on Performance Reporting. In preparation for this call, grantees were encouraged to listen to a pre-recorded webinar titled: “1-2-3-4 9134 A Guide to Preparing your First Quarterly Performance Report”: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/3000905433277743821/info The teleconference reviewed key policy guidance and themes, responded to questions submitted in advance of the call, and provided additional instruction for preparing and submitting quarterly performance reports. The following materials were referenced on the call: 1) General Reporting Forms and Instructions; 2) ETA 9134 Report-Form; 3) Frequently Asked Questions documents (5 total); 4) Supplement & Glossary; and 5) Grantee Guidebook to Performance Reporting.

Community-Based Round 4 “Ask the ETA Fiscal Expert” Teleconference Recording (Recorded March 24, 2009)

This is a recording of a teleconference conducted for Community-Based Job Training grantees and focuses on the financial management aspects of their Department of Labor grant. The following Financial topics were covered during the teleconference: Administrative Controls Match and Leveraged Resources Equipment Procurement Audit and Audit Resolution Facilities and Other Capital Assets Intangible Property In order to assist you on the teleconference, as well as when you are preparing your financial reports, below are two links that will take you to ETA Financial Form 9130. The first one is a direct link to ETA Form 9130 and its corresponding instructions. The second link takes you to the DOL-ETA Financial Reporting page where you will find information related to grantee reporting systems and how to access DOL's reporting system. http://www.doleta.gov/sga/pdf/9130_Basic_JUL08.pdf http://www.doleta.gov/grants/financial_reporting.cfm Prior to listening to the recording, grantees are encouraged to listen to the following pre-recorded financial webinars posted on Workforce3One: Financial Management and Match http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4887/info Leveraged Resources & Intellectual Property http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4886/info Grant Management Requirements http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4913/info Financial Reporting http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4904/info

New Avionics Program at Pima (AZ) Community College

There is a recognized shortage of trained aviation technicians within the US aviation industry. A major concern is the ability to provide qualified entry level technicians. Pima Community College (AZ) has taken steps to address this need. Pima Community College’s (PCC’s) new Avionics program, part of their aircraft technology campus at Tucson International Airport, will help create high-tech jobs in the region and meet a growing need for workers in the industry.

YouthSource Seattle King County

In King County, Washington the Workforce Development Council and the King County Work Training Program, have created the YouthSource program. YouthSource is a consortium of youth providers offering a full array of opportunities and programs focusing on education, employment and leadership. These services include connections to a full array of youth programs, links to community resources for life stabilization, job readiness & placement and comprehensive case management. In July 2008, YouthSource received the U.S. Department of Labor's Recognition of Excellence Award in the "connecting America’s youth to the workforce" category at the national 2008 Workforce Innovations Conference.

Metro Denver WIRED Transforms its Governance*

The Metro Denver WIRED Initiative demonstrates how governance structures can remain flexible and be reformed as programs evolve and functional demands change. Metro Denver’s Leadership Council was originally comprised of co-chairs from each of the Initiative’s eight panels representing industry, education, the public workforce system and small business. It was charged with oversight of the data gathering efforts of the eight panels and forming recommendations for transformation of delivery systems for a skilled workforce for four targeted industry clusters – Aerospace, Bioscience, Energy and IT/Software. As Metro Denver WIRED transitioned into the implementation phase, the Leadership Council was restructured as a decision-making body representing all partners and supported by four Solutions Teams.

Virtual California Space Education Center Increases Interest in STEM Disciplines

The virtual California Space Education Center (CSEC) is a research, education, and workforce-related online space learning collaborative that sponsors and features content from real-world space-related education and from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs and career and technical education (CTE). With an increase in technology-based interaction, including virtual communities, peer-to-peer sharing and learning, blogs, and social networking, the CSEC seeks to utilize these same types of technology tools to draw youth to STEM initiatives and the discipline’s career ladder.

The Dallas Fort Worth Regional Workforce Leadership Council (RWLC)

The DFW Regional Workforce Leadership Council (RWLC) is a partnership among three workforce Boards in Texas, the Dallas, North Central Texas and Tarrant Workforce Boards, local Chambers, education agencies and business. By working together the WIBs created industry partnerships on a regional basis for the areas’ Health Care, aerospace, Technology, Logistics and Semiconductor industries. The article demonstrates value of sector initiatives and the ability of those initiatives to evolve to address a variety of business needs.

Aerospace Workforce Innovation Network

This resource portrays the Aerospace Workforce Innovation Network, a partnership with The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), San Jacinto College and industry partners in Houston to create an industry driven initiative to develop the skill sets needed for its growing aerospace industry effort. To learn more about the Aerospace industry go to http://www.workforce3one.org/view/1931/info

Challenger Center for Space Science Education

Challenger Center for Space Science Education was founded in 1986 by the families of the astronauts of the space shuttle Challenger 51-L mission. Challenger Learning Center programs at 50 centers throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom continue the mission of building awareness of the importance of exploration and discovery. Challenger Learning Centers are often partnered with science centers, museums, universities, and schools. The interactive mission simulator is the core of a Learning Center. All Challenger Learning Centers offer mission simulations for students using a combination of five mission scenarios that are provided by Challenger Center. Individual Learning Centers can also supplement school programs based on community need. The network of Centers train more than 25,000 teachers annually to incorporate project-based learning and use the theme of space exploration to engage students in critical thinking, decision-making, communication, and teamwork. http://www.challenger.org/programs/multimedia.cfm - multimedia link to pod- vod- and web-casts

Interagency Aerospace Revitalization Task Force

"Gotta Jet?" - Attracting the Next Generation to Aerospace Manufacturing

This is an Innovation in Action article that describes Tarrant County, Texas’ effort to engage students and get them to consider a career in aeronautics, a high growth industry in the area. With the support of the DFW Regional Aerospace Cluster, a trio of large aeronautics firms, Tarrant County was able to produce a brochure, DVD and outreach campaign geared to interest youth in engineering as a career and the importance of their taking math and science in high school so they would have the necessary prerequisites. Other Related Resources: Advancing the Aerospace Industry: Rising to the Workforce Challenges (Recorded Version) http://www.workforce3one.org/view/3000723343405975398 Advancing the Aerospace Industry: Rising to the Workforce Challenges (Presentation Slides Zip File) http://www.workforce3one.org/view/1931/info Brochure for the aerospace apprenticeship program. http://www.workforce3one.org/view/1685/info Please visit the Aerospace section on www.careervoyages.gov . -- http://www.careervoyages.gov/aerospace-main.cfm

Aerospace Training Center, Calhoun Community College

To better meet the needs of regional business and industry, Calhoun Community College (CCC) has redirected its technology programs, including specialists relating to Aerospace technologies. The College developed a special AAS program in Aerospace Technology to address this need. The degree prepares students for employment in aerospace and related industries through classroom and lab instruction. The program includes the development of 33 new courses, focusing specialties in Machining and Fabrication, Welding and Coating, Structures and Assembly and Electronics. It also provides a set of common courses in Aerospace Manufacturing and General Education oriented to the practical needs of the business and industry. In the late 1990s, Calhoun finalized plans to build an Aerospace and Advanced Technology Park, initiated as part of the commitment of the state of Alabama to the startup and continuing training requirements for the Boeing Delta rocket plant located in Decatur, Alabama. The Aerospace Training Center, first of three phases of the Technology Park, was developed to train and prepare an entry- level workforce for the Boeing facility. Boeing committed to hiring as many local residents as possible for existing positions. Since the Aerospace Technology program was developed, two other advanced technology programs have been designed in response to industry needs.