New York State Small Business Task Force Report

This Report represents efforts of Task Force members who have worked to formulate recommendations that would have a substantive impact on small business growth and development in New York, including: increasing access to capital, implementing regulatory and administrative reforms, and improving work force training and technical assistance programs. The recommendations that impact workforce development include the following: Integrate Economic Development and Workforce Training Activities through a Sector-Based Strategy. This effort should build on the work of the National Governor’s Association Sector Academy, which is focusing on three industry clusters: green, advanced manufacturing and health care. Create and Expand a Layoff Aversion Program. The State Department of Labor (DOL) is in the process of creating Emergency Response Teams that will assist small businesses in distress with consulting on business turnaround, layoff aversion and Employee Stock Ownership Programs. The Task Force supports the initiation of this pilot program encourages statewide expansion as soon as possible. Increase On-the-Job Training Opportunities. The Task Force urges DOL to use its federal Workforce Investment Act funding to leverage greater local participation by providing matching support on a competitive basis for up to 50 On-the-Job Training (OJT) projects of between five and 10 workers each. The Task Force also supports DOL’s plan to enhance OJT by providing an additional incentive to businesses that hire the long-term unemployed. Improve Opportunities for Youth in Small Business. A portion of the Workforce Investment Act resources should be set aside to leverage local funding of creative youth/small business projects. A fund of $750,000, matched at the local level by a 2-1 ratio, could support 10 competitively selected projects linking youth to small business opportunities.

Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)

This Webinar is aimed at increasing awareness of the 80% Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) Program available to Trade Adjustment Assistance recipients. The discussion will answer the following questions: What is HCTC, who is eligible, how does it work and how has it changed as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? The Health Coverage Tax Credit Program is committed to supporting state and local workforce development partners. Please visit www.irs.gov/hctc or go to the HCTC Partner’s Page for the most recent news and support materials. Also, please communicate with the HCTC team. Let the program office know of large dislocation events in your area or if you are interested in receiving support materials or additional training by e-mailing wi.hctc.stakehldr.en@irs.gov.

(Podcast) ARRA Provisions on COBRA Health Insurance Premium Reduction for Displaced Workers: Notice to One-Stop Career Centers and the Workforce System

This Podcast offers a glimpse into the webinar moderated by Michael Harding. The actual Webinar explains an important recent health benefit subsidy for dislocated workers, which can save them almost two-thirds off their health insurance premium for up to nine months, and how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) liberalizes the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act’s (COBRA) health insurance benefit. Please review the actual Webinar recording on workforce3one for a more in depth review of this Webinar. Related Resources: Completed webinar recording: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/3000932943640962649/info Presentation: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/2000932349000917902/info

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

State Policy Resources for Supporting Adults’ Postsecondary Success

In early November 2009, the National College Transition Network hosted the Policy Forum “Shifting Adult Education Policies to Support Postsecondary Success.” The Forum explored policy changes being pursued by six Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) to create pathways to postsecondary education and family-sustaining careers (“middle-skill” and high-skill occupations) for low-income working adults. These states are part of the Joyce Foundation’s “Shifting Gears” initiative, which was launched in 2006 to promote regional economic growth by improving the education and skills training of the workforce. Shifting Gears grew out of the recognition that many adults lack the skills and postsecondary credentials necessary to obtain the new jobs emerging in the wake of the decline of traditional Midwestern industrial and manufacturing sectors. The initiative is helping these states implement significant, systemic policy changes to institutionalize innovation in adult education, workforce development, and postsecondary education programs and to strengthen the connections among these various programs. Click here for other related resources:

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.

The Workforce Strategy Center Releases New Report on Education Strategies for Disadvantaged Youth and Young Adults

The Workforce Strategy Center’s recent report, “Employers, Low-Income Young Adults, and Postsecondary Credentials: A Practical Typology for Business, Education, and Community Leaders,” highlights programs in 14 communities that are successfully addressing the challenge of providing disadvantaged youth and young adults with the technical and postsecondary education that may qualify them for skilled positions. Programs discussed in the report meet the following four basic criteria: Getting low-income youth and young adults postsecondary credentials that will allow them to enter and advance in career track employment. Working with employers in industry sectors important to the region’s economy. Maximizing employer roles and commitment. Demonstrating portability, scalability, and replicability. Programs discussed are based on a variety of models, including community-based organization models, community and technical college models, employer models, industry sector models, and social enterprise models.

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.

NYSDOL Awards Grants to Connect Emerging and Transitional Workers to In-Demand Careers

The New York State Department of Labor has announced the award of more than $2 million in stimulus funding for a new Emerging and Transitional Worker Grant program. The grants, awarded in the Finger Lakes and Central New York regions, are part of a larger, $15 million statewide stimulus investment to give those with little or no connection to the workforce the skills necessary to successfully obtain employment and advance in their careers.

Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries Grants: Prospective Applicant Webinar Recording for SGA/DFA PY 09-01

For further information regarding this SGA, please contact Ariam Ferro, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance, at (202) 693-3968 (this is not a toll-free number). Applicants should email all technical questions to, ferro.ariam@dol.gov and must specifically reference SGA/DFA PY 09-01, and along with question(s), include a contact name, fax and phone number. Applicant Resources: Several tools, documents, user guides, animated tutorials and other useful information can be found at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/resources.jsp

Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center

Linking economic development to workforce development can spur economic growth by aligning the needs of the community with the needs of industry. The Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center (PSIEC), at the South Seattle Community College, s a collaborative effort to train the area’s low-income residents for employment in high-demand jobs and to assist established and emerging businesses in the area. Article describes the services and is an example of a an apprenticeship model being expanded to address the needs of the relatively unskilled and the needs of new and established businesses.

Recovery Act Dollars Fund QuickJobs Carolina Initiative

Recovery Act dollars will help support a collaboration among state and local agencies, including technical colleges, that aims to increase South Carolina’s ability to provide new opportunities for dislocated workers and eligible adults to receive job training that meets the demand of the local business community. Courses offer training in high demand industry areas with particular focus on the industry sectors of: Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Trades, Energy, Health Care, and Transportation/ Logistics.

West Central Wisconsin Business Alliance

The West Central Wisconsin region has developed the West Central Wisconsin Business Alliance, a coalition of partners from government, business, and economic development to develop responses to workforce pipeline issues in the region. The partnership has created two alliances, Manufacturing Works and Health Work Alliances, to address industry issues and engage regional firms in the resolution of regional issues. The article describes the Alliances genesis, services and next steps and provides links to addition information including a Regional talent Survey which was conducted to assess the region’s workforce and identify responses to urgent needs identified.

Northwest Illinois Nursing Collaborative

Northwest Illinois Nursing Collaborative was formed to seek innovative solutions and implement procedures to help increase the quality and quantity of nursing graduates. The initiative seeks to identify and provide training slots for current incumbent workers in health care. This article describes the collaborative that combined the resources of WIBs, colleges, hospitals and foundations to train more workers as nurses and create more nurse training slots. Article also provides a link to a website that provides nursing courses on line.

Transcript

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

Targeting Industries, Training Workers and Improving Opportunities: The Final Report from the Sectoral Employment Initiative

This November 2008 publication by Public Private Ventures (PPV) is its final report of the Sectoral Employment Initiative (SEI) launched in 1998 to explore the potential of sector initiatives to improve job prospects for low income workers. The report describes 9 organizations and their initiatives and lessons learned from those program models Six of the models concentrated on skills training for participants (in the health care, manufacturing, paralegal and information technology industries), two operated social enterprises (in health care and day labor), and one created a membership association of workers (in the child care sector).

All-Country Nursing Education Capacity Summit: An Orientation Webinar (Presentation Slides Zip File)

Map Your Career

Publication highlighting career pathways in Construction, Healthcare, Information Technology, Manufacturing and Life Sciences in the Seattle-King County area (Washington)