The document outlines the workforce development strategy for the defense and homeland security consortium, emphasizing the need for skilled workers and the challenges in aligning job opportunities with worker readiness. It highlights the importance of sustained leadership and strategic initiatives aimed at improving education, creating an effective one-stop service delivery system, and enhancing partnerships between stakeholders. The document also reviews the Workforce Investment Act's principles and responsibilities, detailing programs that support job search, training, and career counseling for adults and youth.

1. Workforce Development Overview for the Defense and Homeland Security Consortium May 12, 2008

2. Workforce Development …the Big Picture BUSINESS It’s ensuring the quantity and quality of workers needed to support growth WORKERS AND STUDENTS It’s gaining the skills to land and keep well-paying jobs

3. FOR THE REGION It’s facilitating an expanding economic base and, in turn, enabling a higher standard of living for 1.6 million individuals who call Hampton Roads home A Wealth Creation Strategy Workforce Development …the Big Picture

4. Employers are having difficulty filling jobs Segment of Labor Force remains untapped or unready Jobs require increased skill levels Speed of change requiring updated skill sets Aging workforce and changing demographics Labor is a global commodity Workforce Development …the Big Picture

5. CHALLENGES Disconnect between job availability and worker awareness of job opportunities Disconnect between occupational opportunities and education / training response Disconnect between workers and employers Workforce Development …the Big Picture

6. IT WILL REQUIRE… Sustained Leadership Communication Systems Approach Alignment of People, Programs, Resources Workforce Development …the Big Picture

7. Who we are / What we do Authority of the Board established in WIA Members Appointed by the Chief Local Elected Officials Business Majority Develop Policy Oversee Local Workforce Development Initiatives

8. LEADERSHIP ROLE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS Articulate Workplace Needs Develop a Market-Driven Vision Build a Comprehensive System Provide Leadership Aggressively Engage Other Stakeholders Who we are / What we do

9. THE RESULTS WILL BE… INCREASED INDIVIDUAL WEALTH INCREASED CORPORATE COMPETITIVENESS INCREASED REGIONAL PROSPERITY THE REGION WILL EXPAND ITS ECONOMIC BASE ON THE STRENGTH OF ITS GREATEST ASSEST – HUMAN CAPITAL

10. Strategies / Initiatives Priority One – Education Goal One – Produce students who are prepared for academic growth, careers and personal success. Priority Two – One-Stop Service Delivery System Goal Two – Help employers successfully employ the region’s available labor pool.

11. Strategies / Initiatives Priority Three – Awareness, Intelligence Gathering and Sharing, System Building Goal Three – Build awareness of the importance of workforce development, provide information for the system to better respond to business workforce needs and create partnerships that build system capability and capacity. Priority Four – Diversify Funding Base and Provide for Sustainable Operations Goal Four – Continuously improve the workforce development system to exceed customer expectations.

14. Overview of the Workforce Investment Act Key Principles The Workforce Investment Act is based on several key principles: streamlined services through a one-stop delivery system empowering individuals to make informed choices universal access a strategic role for local boards and the private sector improved youth programs

15. Overview of the Workforce Investment Act WIB Responsibilities General Responsibilities of WIB in Partnership with CLEOs: Develop a regional workforce development strategic plan Solicit and select training opportunities Facilitate relationships and enter into agreements with strategic partners Conduct oversight of training programs

16. WIA and Grant Programs WIA Adult Program - provide universal access to job search and placement services as well as career counseling and training for adults determined to be in need. WIA Youth Program - provide comprehensive year round youth workforce development services to low income in-school and out of school youth ages 14 to 21. WIA Dislocated Worker Program - provide access to job search, placement services, career counseling and re-training.

17. WIA and Grant Programs Rapid Response Grant (25% Funds) - provide access to job search, placement services, career counseling and re-training to dislocated workers who lose their employment as a result of mass layoffs or closures at specifically designated companies. Provided comprehensive services to early 4,000 individuals impacted by the Ford Plant closure

18. WIA and Grant Programs WIRED – Comprehensive $5 Million, 3 year project aimed at regional economic transformation and mitigating BRAC impact and worker dislocations by focusing on growing port related Transportation Warehousing and Distribution industries. Strategies emphasize the increased use of technology including modeling and simulation (M&S).

19. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS