Workforce³ One September 2009 Newsletter

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.

(Podcast) National Business Learning Partnership (NBLP): Promising Practices, Accomplishments, Reflections, and Next Steps

This Podcast offers a glance into a previously held webinar moderated by Diane Walton from ETA’s Region VI office. Diane will be talking with three mentor-learner Teams who share their experiences on using data to develop high-growth job training initiatives, recruiting and collaborating with strategic partners. The recorded webinar provides more in depth coverage on how to identify, secure, and align leveraged resources; how collaboration leads to curriculum development and training; and how to become a leader and significant player in regional economic development. Selected Teams represent a diversity of regions and high-growth industries such as Healthcare, Bioscience, Ecotourism, and Renewable or Green Energy. Related Resources: Complete Webinar recording: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/5476/info Presentation: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/2000913943057611873/info

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.

Technology, Talent and Capital: State Bioscience Initiatives 2008

The Nation's bioscience industry continues to grow as states and regions vie to attract high-wage jobs, according to a study released by Battelle and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). The study, "Technology, Talent and Capital: State Bioscience Initiatives 2008," presents data on national, state, and metropolitan bioscience employment and growth trends during 2001 to 2006. The study also examines a series of additional key performance metrics and describes state policies and programs designed to accelerate the growth of the biosciences. The report has been produced from the most current and comparable annual data available. Other related resource: Career Voyages’ Biotechnology page http://www.careervoyages.gov/biotechnology-main.cfm

WIRED West Michigan Outfits Region with Remote Work Sites for the Modern Economy*

West Michigan identified the flexible workplace as a defining characteristic of many high-growth sectors. They have developed a toolkit for creating remote work sites that can support and attract mobile workers. This toolkit facilitates regional development by providing the means that enable the regional market to develop new regional assets. The project coordinators expect the project’s unique market-based approach to be the key to the model’s success and sustainability.

CVS/Caremark's Career Prescriptions for Success (CAPS)

This article describes the CVS/Caremark Career Prescriptions for Success (CAPS) program. The article describes the program being piloted in five urban sites which uses apprenticeships develop pharmacy occupations and launch participants on a career path. Apprenticeships can create career ladders and offer businesses a way to train the workers they need and offer workers an avenue to ‘earn while they learn'. Includes a link to the CVS Career Path for All of its professional development tracks.

Technology-Based Learning Initiative Grants Available

ETA has announced the availability of approximately $10 million in grant funds under the Technology-Based Learning (TBL) Initiative to be awarded through a competitive process. The purpose of the Initiative is to expand access to training resulting in an increased number of workers trained, particularly in high-growth, high-demand occupations, and to meet the needs of industry for skilled employees. Desired outcomes include an increased amount of workforce training available online and/or enhanced with TBL, and an increased number of people trained in high-growth jobs through the use of TBL methods. Funds will be awarded to public, private for-profit, and private non-profit organizations, including educational institutions and registered apprenticeship sponsors. Partnership with the publicly-funded workforce investment system is required. ETA anticipates awarding approximately twenty (20) grants, with individual grants generally ranging in value from $100,000 up to $500,000. The full announcement was included in the June 20 Federal Register and can be found at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-13967.pdf

Community Based Job Training Grantee: Ask the ETA Fiscal Expert - Part II (Recorded Version)

The purpose of this Webinar is to provide an interactive platform for new grantees to ask questions as they relate to the fiscal aspects of their new Community-Based Job Training Grant. Participants should include individuals working on the programmatic and fiscal aspects of the grant. As a prerequisite for this Webinar, grantees and their fiscal teams should listen to two recordings: 1) Grants Management, and 2) Financial Reporting. Grantees should develop and submit questions in advance by Noon on Friday, April 18, 2008 Eastern Time to Charles Cox: Cox.Charles@dol.gov. Grantees will also have an opportunity to ask questions during the Webinar.

Supporting Sector Strategies in the South

Supporting Sector Strategies in the South, a new white paper from Southern Growth and collaborator and the National Network of Sector Partners (NNSP) highlights the success of five Southern states with workforce development solutions that are leading to the establishment and success of high-growth, high-wage industries. The paper suggests steps toward replicating this success throughout the South.

Nusing Education Capacity Summit

Nursing education capacity is a critical issue at the forefront of the growing need for qualified trained nurses. On both the regional and state levels, key stakeholders are collaborating to leverage resources and develop creative strategies to increase nursing education capacity. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration; the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; the Center to Champion Nursing in America; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration are hosting a Nursing Education Capacity Summit that will engage state teams in a solutions-based discussion, to foster action, identify best practices, and develop strategies to increase the number of nurses we can train.

Get Ready for the 2008 Workforce Solutions CD! (Recorded Version)

This is an advanced Webinar for The President's High Growth and Community-Based Job Training Grantees. Participants on this Webinar should be close to completing their products, or have completed products that are ready for the first Workforce Solutions CD of 2008. The purpose of this Webinar is to support grantees in the final stages of packaging their products for dissemination.

Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship/AAS Degree Program Butler Community College

The Sheet Metal Technology program at Butler Community College (Butler) provides students with the technical training and skills needed to shape, bend and fold extruded metals, including the creation of new products, using hand tools and machines. Apprenticeship is considered the best way to learn this trade. Currently, there is a national movement among sheet metal workers for all apprentices to earn an AAS degree during their four year apprenticeship. The Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 29 approached Butler about the partnership to award apprentices an AAS degree. The program, which began in 2006, consists of 4-5 years of on-the job training and an average of 200 hours per year of classroom instruction. It is a partnership between the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) and Butler leading toward an Associate of Applied Science degree for apprentices enrolled in joint training programs associated with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association. Students are required to work a total of 1700 hours for each year of apprenticeship. To earn the AAS degree, students must complete a minimum of 63 hours, including the 15 credits taken through Butler.

Small Business Center, Waukesha County Technical College

Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) has offered entrepreneurial courses and technical support to start-up entrepreneurs and small business owners through a combination of courses and services for over 30 years. A state referendum was passed in 1999 paved the way for the creation of a Small Business Development Center on campus. The Small Business Development Centers are part of the 4-year University of Wisconsin system. WCTC decided to fund the Center based on an identified need. Since that time, the Center has created a great deal of local interest, resulting in continued growth. The Center offers one-on-one counseling, education courses, networking groups, networking groups, connections to financing and other services, provided in partnership with local businesses. It also offers a non-credit Small Business Certificate (SBC), as well as a 15-credit certification in Entrepreneurship (CIE). The Center’s impact on local business development is evidenced by clients’ crediting it with helping them start of grow their businesses.

Aquaculture Program Prepares Students for Careers in Fish Farming

Alabama’s Gadsden State Community College specializes in working with students interested in aquatic biology, marine biology, aquaculture and environmental science. Its’ Aquaculture Education and Development Center (AEDC) is one of only ten such programs offered through the community college system and is the only such program in the southern United States. The program offers both degree and certificate paths developed to prepare students for careers in fish farming and related careers Training includes instruction in the basic principles of aquatic and marine biology, health and nutrition of aquatic and marine life, design and operation of fish farms, breeding facilities, culture systems and related enterprises, and related issues of safety and health. The college is partnering with a large number of secondary schools to provide technical experiences in aquaculture to students. The AEDC has hosted high school field trips from all over the state and region. In addition, the Center is training K-12 teachers to use aqua-science as a teaching tool for science and math education.

Computer Information Technology (CITE) Program, North Idaho College

North Idaho College's (NIC) Computer Information Technology (CITE) Program prepares students for professional employment within targeted areas of the information technology industry. The program provides specialized training via three tracks – a technical certificate, an advanced technical certificate, and an Associate of Applied Science degree. Official vendor curriculum materials are used in all classes. Program partners have provided software, continued training for program faculty and certification testing discounts. They have also impacted curriculum design and delivery Industry authorized training is the highest level of training.

Aspen Institute Sectoral Demo Initiative for Community College-Non-Profit Partnerships

The Aspen Institute’s Workforce Strategies Initiative is seeking applicants for a new three-year demonstration, which will begin in 2008 and focus on partnerships between community colleges and community-based organizations that take a sector approach to working with low-income adults. Projects must provide education and training focused on a defined industry sector or a set of related occupations, and involve employers in developing the curriculum and identifying job opportunities for graduates. Details on eligibility for this project, Courses to Employment: Sectoral Approaches to Community College-Nonprofit Partnerships, are available on WSI’s Web site: www.aspenwsi.org. June 29, 2007 is the deadline for the first step in the application process, the submission of "letters of interest".

American River College’s Gerontology Program

As the population ages, demand for individuals trained to work with the aged is expanding. Many states are expected to experience dramatic workforce shortages among paraprofessionals. Demand will also be great to train qualified applicants for work in financial and legal services, hospitality and fitness and wellness pursuits. The gerontology program at American River College (ARC) blends classroom instruction and student interaction with older adults to provide the training and skills needed for employment. The current program offers an AA degree in Gerontology and a Certificate in Gerontology with an emphasis in one of six areas. Two vocational programs are also available. In addition, a number of continuing education courses addressing issues related to aging are offered. Classes blend both academic and experiential learning. The program serves as a model and resource for other programs in California and nationwide. A number of other schools have contacted ARC for information on how to implement and publicize similar programs.

United Tribes Technical College Medical Transcription Certification Program

In 2005, United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) received a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor allowing it to expand its Medical Transcription Certificate program. Funds are being used to develop “virtual laboratory” technology, allowing students to use state of the art medical transcription training equipment. Once the lab is fully functional, the college will have the ability to simulate actual transcription employment. Students will be able to download dictation via a web-based platform, duplicating what is required of transcriptionists in employment. UTTC is one of the few colleges in the country incorporating this new technology into classroom training. The program operates as an open enrollment program and is competency based. Students move through the program at their own pace. Training takes from 10-15 months to complete. When each student reaches the industry required 98 percent competency, he/she is assisted in finding home-based employment.