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.

Wind Turbine Manufacturing Competency Model

Clipper Windpower is a California-based wind turbine manufacturer and wind project developer. Using the ETA-sponsored Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model as a foundation, Clipper developed this framework of competencies for wind turbine manufacturing.

Compete: Impact--2009 Accomplishments and 2010 Outlook

The Council on Competitiveness is a leadership organization comprised of CEOs, university presidents and labor leaders committed to ensuring that the United States remains the world leader. The Council has one goal: to strengthen America’s competitive advantage by acting as a catalyst for innovative public policy solutions that address America’s major competitive challenges and capitalize on its unique strengths. This report highlights the Council's 2009 accomplishments and the outlook for 2010.

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.

Michigan’s “No Worker Left Behind

As the automotive industry has fallen apart amid a severe drop in global demand, and Michigan's 11.6 percent unemployment rate is now the highest in the nation. This article describes the "No Worker Left Behind" program operated by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth and its partners by the which offers 2 years of tuition for unemployed and workers who earn less than $40K/year. The goal is to transition these workers into knowledge based and green industries. Article provides an example of a state wide training program that is targeted to the unemployed and incumbent workers in shrinking manufacturing industries and describes a new program, The Michigan Energy Corps, created to create workers in green industries.

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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

1-2-3-4 ETA 9134! A guide to preparing your first quarterly performance report (Presentation Slides Zip File)

The purpose of conducting these Webinars is to orient five new STEM Initiative grantees to the principles, methods and requirements of the Employment and Training Administration’ (ETA) grants management. As a result, grantees will receive the necessary technical assistance to effectively operate their grant. The first Webinar will focus on orienting grantees to the programmatic aspects of the grant. The second Orientation will focus on performance reporting requirements. We recognize this is a very small group of grantees; however a Webinar platform would support our delivery of these important topics.

Map Your Career

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

Talent Driving a Globally Competitive Economy

With many traditional American manufacturers closing their factory doors, communities face the immediate challenge of helping workers with obsolete skills access the education and skills needed to reenter the transformed manufacturing marketplace. Regionalism and asset alignment – bringing together leaders from a community and its surrounding areas - are the keys to helping America develop a strategy for economic transformation, and to surviving the transition from traditional to advanced practices.

Transforming Manufacturing Economies for Global Competition: A Resource Guide

This booklet is designed to respond to the needs of communities which are confronting difficult challenges of losing manufacturing jobs in their economy and it provides a variety of resources to help navigate the transformation from a manufacturing economy to new opportunities in other industries.

The Integrated Regional Innovation Grant (RIG) Planning Process: Lessons from the First Regional Innovation Grant

Newton, Iowa, and the Central Iowa region are a microcosm of the changes in the manufacturing industry. Learn how the region used workforce information intelligence and tools, along with carefully facilitated local intelligence, to form the region and lead a data-driven planning process focused on creating a different kind of economy. Understand the key aspects of creating a shared vision of regionalism amongst diverse partners and political interests.

Southeast Indiana Dream It Do It Campaign

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the U.S. will face a skilled worker shortage of 8 million people by 2010, with that number growing to 14 million in 2020. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has reported that 90% of surveyed members reported that they have trouble finding qualified workers and half said they have left jobs unfilled because they could not find qualified people. This article describes Southeast Indiana’s Dream t Do It campaign and The Advanced Manufacturing Network of Excellence which is a key component

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.

Charleston County Detention Center Welding Initiative

This article describes The Charleston County Detention Center Welding Initiative, a public/private partnership formed by the Trident Workforce Investment Board, Protected Vehicles, Inc. (PVI), the Charleston County Detention Center, readySC and Trident Technical College to develop a pre release vocational training program designed to recruit, test, and train welders needed to meet the growing workforce demands.

The Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium

Eastern Arkansas has experienced an influx of automotive and advanced manufacturing plants. To capitalize on the economic development opportunity a consortium of firms and colleges have collaborated on developing curriculum and learning opportunities for high school students, adult learners, incumbent workers and unemployed individuals. Article portrays a regional training initiative that is business driven and aligned with the current and long term workforce development needs of the community

Workforce Solutions Targeted to Employer Needs in Lubbock County Texas

This article describes an employer-driven initiative developed by WorkForce Solutions South Plains (WFS), South Plains College (SPC) and the industry to develop a training initiative that will ultimately prepare a pool of skilled workers in HVAC and building maintenance. The initiative provides an industry recognized certification in these skills that was previously not available.

Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: Promoting the Education and Advancement of Hispanic Immigrant Workers in America

During the next decade, one out of every four new workers in the United States will be an immigrant from Latin America. While some of these newcomers speak English well and enter the United States with strong academic credentials and skills, most do not. Funded by the Lumina Foundation, a study was led by Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) and supported by its partners, including the Manufacturing Institute. A report of the study presents promising employer/community college partnerships that expand access to higher education and benefit low-skilled, immigrant Hispanic adults. Partnerships examined in the report met three basic criteria: results with students, employer engagement, and participation of community colleges.

Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Center for Excellence

Many areas face the ubiquitous disconnect between skills shortages, especially among unskilled citizens, and available jobs in growing industries. This article describes the partnerships and service model created by the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership, a workforce intermediary jointly led by labor and management in the Milwaukee area, and the Building Industry Group Skilled Trades Employment Program (BIG STEP) apprenticeship preparation program. The program offers a coordinated training model designed to connect residents with jobs and apprenticeships in Milwaukee. The Center provides, for the first time, a single point of contact for meeting the workforce needs of skilled trades and industries. A link to the complete report titled, "Meeting the Workforce Needs of the Milwaukee Construction Industry: Case Study: The Center of Excellence," that was published by Jobs for the Future is provided in the article. To learn more about how workforce intermediaries can impact regional economies go to http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4627/info