A Pathway to Clean Jobs and Prosperity: State Policies for Helping Low Income Working Families Build Clean Energy Careers
This policy brief, from the Working Poor Families Project, describes state level efforts for advancing public policies that expand access to clean energy jobs. It also presents specific recommendations for tailoring skills development programs and investments to low-skilled, low income adults, increasing employer commitment for hiring low-income and disadvantaged workers, and improving the quality of clean energy jobs. Related resource: Workforce Strategies Initiative: Pre- construction Apprenticeship Programs
Posted On :
06/18/10 10:20AM
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285
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54
Mapping Green Career Pathways: Job Training Opportunities and Infrastructure
The Apollo Alliance and the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce have teamed up to identify components of Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin's workforce development infrastructure that can be better integrated and scaled up to help fill jobs in the clean energy sector. The reports, Mapping Green Career Pathways: Job Training Opportunities and Infrastructure, recommend strengthening existing training infrastructures to build workers’ skills to fill green-collar jobs that are being created in the construction and manufacturing sectors, which are projected to account for 55 percent of all new jobs in the emerging renewable energy and efficiency industries. According to the reports, many of the elements of a green training infrastructure already exist in each state, but there are still gaps along the green career pathway that must be filled through stronger, more integrated training programs.
Posted On :
02/16/10 04:26PM
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880
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604
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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758
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186
Opportunities for Rural Community and Economic Development
The Rural Sociological Society’s latest Rural Realities publication, “Homegrown Responses to Economic Uncertainty in Rural America,” explores three interconnected "homegrown" approaches for reinvigorating and growing struggling rural economies, which have been particularly hard-hit by the economic recession. The paper also offers several policy and strategic options for fostering homegrown rural development efforts. Related resources: Link to "Innovation in Action" article:http://www.workforce3one.org/view/3000929241996925905 Economic Gardening http://groups.google.com/group/econ-dev?msg=subscribe&hl=en The Farm Act of 2008 established the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. This program will provide technical and financial assistance in the form of loans and grants to qualified Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to support microentrepreneurs in the development and ongoing success of rural microenterprises. An MDO is an organization that provides access to capital and business-based training services to very small (micro) businesses. A microentrepreneur is an owner and operator, or prospective owner and operator, of a rural business with not more than 10 full-time equivalent employees who is unable to obtain sufficient training, technical assistance, or credit. USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service today has published a proposed rule in support of the implementation of this program to meet the goals and requirements of the Act. Comments are due by November 23, 2009. The October 7, 2009 FEDERAL REGISTER" contains the proposed rule.
Posted On :
10/19/09 11:34AM
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951
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244
Ann Arbor SPARK Helps Michigan Shift Gears
The decline in Michigan’s overall workforce infrastructure has put numerous well-seasoned and well-educated managers, engineers, and technical professionals in a position of needing to analyze their vocational options. A new initiative, Shifting Gears, hopes to provide an opportunity for these professionals to do just that, and to assist professionals in the transition to an entrepreneurial environment.
Posted On :
04/29/09 09:15AM
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950
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479
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.
Posted On :
04/20/09 09:10AM
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1786
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770
Green Jobs Workforce Training Program Detroit
Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) has developed a Green Jobs Workforce Training Program, approved by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and accredited through Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. The organization is part of a consortium that includes the Environmental Justice Resource Center (Clark Atlanta University) and the Laborers-AGC Education and Training Fund (L-AGC). The goal of the consortium is to deliver job training skills for the emerging Green Economy
Posted On :
03/05/09 11:22AM
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1584
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706
Coping with Layoffs: Current State Strategies for Better Rapid Response
This brief published by the John J. Heldrich Center Workforce Development in November 2008, examines state rapid response practices that are designed to coordinate the delivery of a wide array of services to displaced workers. It summarizes the efforts of several states, identified by national experts as having promising practices, in the service delivery, organization, and evaluation of rapid response activities. It highlights states that combine post-layoff activities with proactive layoff aversion approaches and worker transition assistance. Overview provides state workforce professionals additional tactics and strategies to consider for their state workforce systems.
Posted On :
01/29/09 09:21AM
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1321
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460
The Detroit Healthcare Career Center
The Detroit Healthcare Career Center is a public-private partnership implemented by the Detroit Workforce Development Department designed to maximize the educational, self-sufficiency and employment potential of Detroiters. Targeted to a growth industry, the center includes a community group for career planning and case management; an educational institution for career ladder training; and an employer for employability collaboration and numerous guaranteed positions.
Posted On :
09/16/08 03:03PM
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1061
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409
West Michigan TEAM
Many regions in the country have been building regional partnerships to address the systemic workforce and economic issues their regions face. The West Michigan TEAM supports the people, ideas and training necessary to attract and retain innovative employers and skilled jobs in the region. To learn more about West Michigan WIRED go to http://www.workforce3one.org/view/5558/info
Posted On :
09/05/08 09:57AM
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617
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249
Regionalism takes root in Mid-Michigan*
Before WIRED, residents of Mid-Michigan would have never claimed to live in a single region. There is no large metro area and no single media outlet that covers the entire region. WIRED Mid-Michigan faced the daunting task of creating a regional identity from scratch and has devised innovative marketing and communications strategies to accomplish this. It appears that the aggressive and evocative communication of information to and among regional stakeholders is catalyzing self-reinforcing regional awareness in Mid-Michigan.
Posted On :
07/31/08 01:35PM
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571
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276
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.
Posted On :
07/31/08 12:55PM
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790
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365
Southeast Michigan is Where Hospitality Works!
Where Hospitality Works! was formed in July 2005 to address critical training and employment needs in the hospitality and tourism industry of Southeast Michigan. Partnering with industry employers and other critical stakeholders, Where Hospitality Works! is a Michigan Regional Skills Alliance (MiRSA) funded by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG). MiRSAs are partnerships formed to address workforce challenges such as worker shortages, skill shortages, training mismatches, employee recruitment and retention, and organizational design within a specific geographic area and industry. The State of Michigan is promoting the formation of MiRS's to help businesses improve their competitiveness and economic security. For more information on initiatives that support the travel, tourism, or hospitality industries, please see the following resources: http://www.whatsnext4me.com This project is designed to develop a teen-oriented website to inform and educate teens about the career opportunities in the hospitality industry. http://ace.laguardia.edu/ciet/hotel_teach.htm Hotel TEACH (Teaching English and Careers in Hospitality) is a project with LaGuardia Community College to develop a contextualized language curriculum to instruct limited English proficient individuals while providing them with the occupational skills for employment in the hospitality industry. http://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/pyramid.aspx?hsp=Y http://www.doleta.gov/wired/regions/2g_Southeast_Michigan.cfm
Posted On :
04/28/08 10:00AM
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475
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225
South Central Michigan Smart Growth Collaborative
South Central Michigan Works! has convened its partners and using a grant from the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) to launch its strategic planning process - 21st Century Workforce Initiative. This strategic plan is the result of a gap analysis based on interviews with partners to facilitate regional planning and pursue collaborative improvements that could help to avert economic decline. The plan addresses six strategic areas: 1) Working with employers; 2) Regional workforce and economy; 3) Rapid response; 4) Regional Layoff aversion and Business Enhancement Services; 5) Develop, Attract and Retain Talent; 6) Communications Strategy. The plan provides an example of a regional plan and identifies key milestones and timelines for each of the six strategic areas.
Posted On :
11/16/07 10:11AM
/Views :
396
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195
Regional Technology Councils: A Strategy for Community and Economic Development
Regional technology councils assemble, energize, and empower those individuals and entities interested in pursuing technology-based economic development in their community or region. This paper, published by the Trent Lott Center, discusses the potential roles of Regional Technology Councils (RTCs) in community and economic development. Five RTCs are briefly examined. Four mechanisms of successful RTCs and recommendations for future research are provided. List of Technology Councils is on p.17 (Appendix A)
Posted On :
11/05/07 10:14AM
/Views :
907
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301
West Michigan: A Region in Transition
This report, published by the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, examines the Upper West Michigan region and provides a detailed, highly visual representation of the area. The report compares the area internationally, nationally and in Michigan. It provides a detailed analysis of the population, environment, infrastructure and economic development (p.14). It also describes development opportunities in tourism, sports and entertainment, education and research, arts and culture, The report though specific to the region and somewhat dated (2002) is an excellent example of a regional analysis. Visual nature of the report is unique in that it allows the reader to easily grasp the trends described in the report. Related resource: Western Michigan WIRED public project plan at http://www.doleta.gov/wired/files/ip_West_Michigan.pdf
Posted On :
10/26/07 11:16AM
/Views :
364
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165
Great Lakes Vital Signs
This paper, published by the Brookings Institution, seeks to inform and catalyze needed discussion among the Great Lakes region’s Governors; the business, civic, and political stakeholders that influence state policy; the region’s Congressional delegation and federal leadership; round a winning economic vision for the Great Lakes region. It describes the history, its economic position today and includes the challenges it faces and the assets it offers. The report identifies ways states in the region can strengthen their economies through collective action, joining together with federal partners in pursuit of an integrated state, multi-state, and national policy agenda that can contribute meaningfully to economic prosperity in whole Great Lakes region. Important report as it examines far reaching solutions, regarding human capital development, rebuilding infrastructure and urban centers, enhancing training and worker benefits and transportation, that cross state lines and demonstrates how the states in the region could work together
Posted On :
09/11/07 09:17AM
/Views :
665
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288
FABTECH Offers Innovative Technician Education
An innovative service technician education program, combining classroom study and hands-on application, will assist the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan areas' regional economy. A joint initiative of FABCO Equipment, Inc. and Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC), the FABTECH Program will quickly educate entry-level service technicians. Industry partners include Caterpillar, Genie, JLG, and Matco.
Posted On :
09/05/07 01:15PM
/Views :
329
/Downloads :
212
Making Every Business Count: Findings from a Study of Michigan’s Micro-enterprise Field
This report of a study of micro-enterprises for the state of Michigan defines how important micro-enterprises are to the economic vitality of the state. For example, in Michigan they make up the vast majority (86%) of business enterprises, and a significant (18%) portion of jobs. The study’s objectives are: Understand and quantify the demand for micro-enterprise development services; Understand and quantify the supply of micro-enterprise development services; Determine how Michigan's micro-enterprise development field could strengthen its role in supporting the goals of the State of Michigan's economic development strategies; and; Make recommendations for next steps. Resource is useful economic developers seeking to strengthen the services available to entrepreneurs.
Posted On :
09/05/07 12:24PM
/Views :
368
/Downloads :
159
Michigan Tech's Enterprise Program
Michigan Technological University's Enterprise Program enables teams of students to work together in a business-like setting to solve engineering, design, and communications problems, in partnership with industry sponsors. The program prepares students for the challenges that await them after their college careers and gives industry and business partners a fresh perspective on some of their knottiest problems.
