Award-Winning City of Long Beach Youth-Driven Career Center Program
The National League of Cities (NLC) recently recognized the City of Long Beach’s Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network with a Gold Award for Municipal Excellence. Long Beach earned the award for Creating a Youth-Driven Career Center program. The Creating a Youth-Driven Career Center program is a reinvention of the Network’s youth service strategies, which focuses on providing opportunities to engage youth in the design and creation of physical spaces, outreach messages, collateral materials, actual products, key policy-making, and critical community connections. Related Resource: Finance Project’s Clearinghouse for on Expanding and Sustaining Youth Programs and Policieshttp://www.servicelearning.org/etrcncs-link/?popup_id=1685
Posted On :
12/08/09 11:41AM
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459
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126
Green Jobs Innovation in Portland, Oregon
Portland's program, called Clean Energy Works Portland, creates a Recovery Act-funded revolving loan fund that will enable Portland homeowners to take out long-term, low-interest loans and repay them through small additions to their utility bills. Green for All has partnered with the City of Portland to implement an innovative green jobs program that aims to retrofit 100,000 homes for energy efficiency while creating new green jobs and economic opportunities for low-income residents of the city. Grantee: Portland YouthBuilders (PYB) Location of Grant Activities: Oregon Amount: $100,000 Key Partnerships: Oregon Employment Department, Southeast Works OneStop Career Center, Portland Community College, the Oregon Institute of Technology, and the Oregon Employer Workforce Training Fund Project Description: Portland Youth Builders (PYB) will expand its current greenjobs training program to prepare low-income youth for entry-level obs and advanced training in the following energy efficient and renewable energy industries: energy efficient construction, weatherization, solar and wind energy, sustainable agriculture, and residential and commercial retrofitting. Project Outcomes: Key modifications will be made to the PYB programs including the development of a weatherization pathway, the development of a green internship program, the enhancement of existing green curriculum based on feedback from the Energy Trust of Oregon, the establishment of key partnerships with PostSecondary institutions and local green employers, and the construction of PYBbuilt Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified homes. Contact: Jill Walters Portland YouthBuilders 4816 SE 92 nd Avenue Portland, OR 97266
Posted On :
12/08/09 11:35AM
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483
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132
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
Posted On :
11/20/09 01:46PM
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478
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127
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:
Posted On :
11/20/09 01:13PM
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426
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90
Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative Releases Green Collar Workforce Publication
“Building a Green Collar Workforce in Chicagoland,” a new report by the Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative, points to the job creation potential of green collar jobs in the Chicago region. It highlights the numerous policy opportunities – including climate legislation, additional resources for environmental programs, and changes to environmental standards – that may help spur the development of new green collar jobs throughout Chicagoland. The report also explores the specific green occupations most likely to experience significant growth in the Chicago region. To view a related Webinar on Chicagoland, go to: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/web105/info
Posted On :
10/30/09 02:27PM
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378
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123
New York City Green Collar Jobs Roadmap
The Center for American progress has released a new resource entitled “New York City Green Collar Jobs Roadmap.” The Roadmap is a product of the Green Collar Jobs Roundtable, which was convened by Urban Agenda. The Roundtable was a participatory effort of over 170 job-training organizations, community-based programs, businesses, and labor unions that compiled data on green jobs and workforce development best practices while developing more than 30 recommendations for achieving the shared vision of a more sustainable, prosperous, and just New York City. The Roadmap includes recommendations related to green economic development, talent engagement and development, job creation, employer engagement, and partner collaboration.
Posted On :
10/30/09 01:14PM
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613
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157
Goods Movement Resource Manual from the National Association of Regional Councils
The National Association of Regional Councils, in partnership with transportation cluster association partners, has released a new resource entitled “Building Planning Capacity Between Public and Private Sector Partners in the Freight Industry: A Resource Manual.” The objective of the Manual is to develop the planning capacity of freight stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, and to create more effective and efficient regional level freight-specific infrastructure planning. The manual explores the relationship among goods movement, regional business and workforce, economic development, agriculture, the environment, and public health, and highlights the need for a high degree of coordination among multiple modes of transportation crossing multiple jurisdictions. In collaboration with the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Community of Practice, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has worked with education, business, and industry leaders to develop a comprehensive competency model for transportation. The model is designed to evolve along with changing skill requirements. The community of practice members have committed to working with industry partners to keep the model current. Click here for access to the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics competency model.
Posted On :
10/30/09 12:58PM
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489
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120
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.
Posted On :
10/27/09 02:18PM
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419
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146
Regional Council Self-Assessment and Resource Toolkit
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), in partnership with the Missouri Association of Councils of Governments and Development District Association of Appalachia, has published a self-assessment and resource toolkit designed to assist executive directors of regional councils, along with policy board members, in conducting an organizational analysis. This resource is intended to help regional development leaders explore the various aspects, challenges, and opportunities of governing and operating a high-performing regional council, and to evaluate their own organizations against various characteristics of successful regional councils. Other related resources: Innovation in Action articles- http://www.workforce3one.org/view/3000929249738360965
Posted On :
10/19/09 01:38PM
/Views :
597
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224
New Tools and Resources for “Adult Education for Work” Programs
Jobs for the Future’s (JFF) Workforce and Education Policy Group, a partnership between JFF and the Workforce Development Strategy Group of the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), has released a series of four publications on adult education trends, promising practices, and opportunities. These papers seek to advance Adult Education for Work programs and strategies that help low-skilled adults obtain the skills necessary for workplace competitiveness, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. firms. http://www.jff.org/publications/workforce
Posted On :
10/19/09 11:01AM
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1009
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602
Offender Workforce Development Strategies to Reduce Re-incarceration
This publication from the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Corrections details key elements and results of an innovative Vermont program designed to reduce recidivism for offenders with poor work histories and moderate to high risk of reoffending. Vermont’s Workforce Development Program is a research-based correctional strategy that teaches offenders social and work-related skills in a “strengths-based” context that extends throughout the correctional facilities’ education, work, and living-unit settings. The program achieved significant reductions in recidivism, and helped to create a shared organizational culture among correctional staff and program participants. Other related resource: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/5456/info
Posted On :
10/09/09 01:50PM
/Views :
822
/Downloads :
389
Award-Winning Ohio Soft Skills Training Program
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Workforce Development Office has given the state’s One-Stop Best Practices Award to the WorkPlus One-Stop Center of Clark County (Springfield, Ohio) for the Center’s innovative “Rise Above” training and job placement program. The Rise Above program is designed to help unemployed individuals develop the soft skills necessary to successfully re-enter the workforce. Workforce3 One also includes a number of other profiles on “soft skills” program implementation including Delaware’s “Soft Skills Career Essentials.”
Posted On :
10/05/09 12:29PM
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1027
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416
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.
Posted On :
09/30/09 04:00PM
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2829
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1282
Introduction to the High Growth and Community-Based Performance & Program Reporting Format for High Growth Energy Grantees
This Webinar is designed to introduce the High Growth Job Training Initiative Energy grantees to the High Growth and Community-Based Job Training Grants General Quarterly Reporting Instructions and Form. Through the following objectives the grantees will 1) Understand the new reporting requirements; and 2) Review applicable terms/definitions. This Webinar will also allow grantees to resolve any questions prior to submission of their first quarterly performance report on November 14, 2008, for the reporting period of July 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008. Participants should include individuals working on the programmatic aspect of the grant, as well as individuals who may have a role in collecting, tracking, and reporting performance data for your grant. If you have sub-grantees or partners that support your project by conducting various capacity building and training activities, you may invite them to listen to the recording and the live Webinar event. Please note that the grant award recipient is responsible for preparing and submitting the quarterly narrative report to the Employment and Training Administration.
Posted On :
10/31/08 02:00PM
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435
Performance Management Training
Performance Year 2008 is coming to a close and its time for annual ratings and appraisals from the interim progress review to September 30, 2008. As ETA managers and supervisors you have begun to pull together the documentation you’ll need to consider as you decide on ratings, write supporting narratives and discuss the past year’s performance with employees. Even experienced managers/supervisors find it takes considerable time and thought to complete the process. This hour-long mandatory session for all ETA managers and supervisors will cover the Performance Management requirements, offer some tips to help you prepare a carefully worded and accurate assessments, and answer your questions.
Posted On :
10/02/08 03:00PM
/Views :
587
Performance Management Training
Performance Year 2008 is coming to a close and its time for annual ratings and appraisals from the interim progress review to September 30, 2008. As ETA managers and supervisors you have begun to pull together the documentation you’ll need to consider as you decide on ratings, write supporting narratives and discuss the past year’s performance with employees. Even experienced managers/supervisors find it takes considerable time and thought to complete the process. This hour-long mandatory session for all ETA managers and supervisors will cover the Performance Management requirements, offer some tips to help you prepare a carefully worded and accurate assessments, and answer your questions.
Posted On :
09/29/08 03:00PM
/Views :
386
WIA State Planning for 2010 and Beyond
In order to support the use of WIA/Wagner-Peyser and Unified State Plans as a strategic tool for states, ETA will revise its State Planning Guidance documents for PY 2010 and beyond. To help inform this effort, ETA wishes to engage state and local representatives in a dialogue on ways to make the State Planning process more meaningful and useful. ETA sees State Planning as a truly strategic process driven by the business leadership of the State Workforce Investment Board, rich with workforce and economic data, and reflecting the alignment of state and local policies and strategies, as well as integration among education, economic development, and workforce investment systems. The State Plan ideally encompasses the state's vision for workforce investment and the strategies to achieve it, while meeting WIA and Wagner-Peyser Act statutory requirements. The Webinar will briefly provide background on what ETA hopes to achieve in the PY 2010 State Planning process, and then hear from you. We will discuss essential elements of a State Plan, how to engage business and industry in the planning process, how to use data to support and build a strategic plan, how to engage local elected officials and boards, and more. This discussion will directly inform the State Planning Guidances that ETA will issue for PY2010 and beyond. Note: State Workforce Administrators are encouraged to ask their deputies and program leads to participate in the webinar.
Posted On :
09/29/08 12:00PM
/Views :
567
WIA State Planning for 2010 and Beyond
In order to support the use of WIA/Wagner-Peyser and Unified State Plans as a strategic tool for states, ETA will revise its State Planning Guidance documents for PY 2010 and beyond. To help inform this effort, ETA wishes to engage state and local representatives in a dialogue on ways to make the State Planning process more meaningful and useful. ETA sees State Planning as a truly strategic process driven by the business leadership of the State Workforce Investment Board, rich with workforce and economic data, and reflecting the alignment of state and local policies and strategies, as well as integration among education, economic development, and workforce investment systems. The State Plan ideally encompasses the state's vision for workforce investment and the strategies to achieve it, while meeting WIA and Wagner-Peyser Act statutory requirements. The Webinar will briefly provide background on what ETA hopes to achieve in the PY 2010 State Planning process, and then hear from you. We will discuss essential elements of a State Plan, how to engage business and industry in the planning process, how to use data to support and build a strategic plan, how to engage local elected officials and boards, and more. This discussion will directly inform the State Planning Guidances that ETA will issue for PY2010 and beyond. Note: State Workforce Administrators are encouraged to ask their deputies and program leads to participate in the webinar.
Posted On :
09/24/08 02:30PM
/Views :
575
/Downloads :
1
Access Points
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is offering cites, state workforce agencies, and WIRED Regions a new approach to expand access to basic One-Stop services, which translates into economic opportunity for men and women in underserved neighborhoods who want to find employment. Since 2005, 50 workforce areas in ten states have created more than 200 “Access Points” to One-Stop services in local community organizations, libraries, faith-based groups, and elsewhere. This page provides the practical resources your workforce system can use to replicate this proven model.
Posted On :
09/18/08 08:59AM
/Views :
502
/Downloads :
499
Allowable Activities/Costs for Regional Innovation Grant Projects
The purpose of this Webinar is to provide an overview of financial and administrative requirements, including information on the allowable activities and costs related to Regional Innovation Grants. The presentation and discussion will be led by Judi Fisher of the Office of Grants and Contract Management.
