Presentation to the Oregon house Committee on Business & Labor - Subcommittee and Workforce Development, September 22, 2010

1. Helping Rural Oregon Work Regional Economic Impact – National Emergency Grant Presentation to the House Interim Committee on Business and Labor – Subcommittee on Workforce Development Presented by: Peter Hackett – Oregon Workforce Alliance Norm Gershon – Umpqua Training & Employment Kris Latimer – The Oregon Consortium & Oregon Workforce Alliance

2. The Oregon Consortium & Oregon Workforce Alliance: The Oregon Consortium (TOC) and Oregon Workforce Alliance (OWA) is a public/private partnership established by business leaders and public officials more than 25 years ago to help revitalize the economies of Oregon’s twenty-four rural counties. In a blended fashion, TOC and OWA oversee the administration of Workforce Investment Act resources, and a variety of other grants and projects, and provide oversight to the WorkSource Oregon system in rural Oregon. This rural system is delivered via a network of community based organizations, who provide services at the ground level, regional workforce investment boards and an administrative office staff. 2

3. The Oregon Consortium & Oregon Workforce Alliance - Workforce Investment Area: 3

4. Our Vision: To be the driving force for an evolution in attitudes and behaviors at every level that embraces the necessity for Oregon’s citizens, business and industries to “skill up,” ultimately revolutionizing our rural economies. This vision is supported by the development and targeted investment of revenues, curriculum, infrastructure, political pathways and partnerships. 4

5. Resources TOC/OWA Invested in the Rural WorkSource Oregon System – PY09 PY09 = July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010 5

6. County Unemployment Rates – 8/2010 9.4 11.8 10.10 9.6 8.1 12.5 8.6 8.6 9.6 10.5 9.2 14.5 10.4 11.3 17.7 15.5 14.8 11.5 12.9 14.5 16.3 Source: www.qualityinfo.org August 2010 Unemployment 13.6 14.0 13.7 6

7. Area Unemployment by Industry: Source: EMSI 7

8. National Emergency Grants Traditional National Emergency Grant: US Department of Labor makes funding available for National Emergency Grants (NEGs) when a layoff of 50+ individuals occurs. These NEGs make funds available to serve workers impacted by the specific layoff and are often coordinated with TAA funds; Currently Oregon has 22 NEGs underway for a total of $16,846,609, with an average grant amount $765,755; Of these 22 NEGs, 10 are active in the TOCOWA 24 county area – this is the largest number of NEGs awarded to any single LWIB in the nation. Total Funding = $7,023,283 8

9. TOCOWA National Emergency Grants: 9

10. Regional Economic Impact NEG: Designed to respond to the needs of an entire region/area impacted by economic changes; Allows for an aggregation of a series of layoff events; Provides support for an optional planning component: Tactical planning for in-demand occupations; Further development of provider services and networks; Positioning the Area to better compete in the global economy; 15% of total application or $250,000 max TOC/OWA Award: $2,571,600 total award $2,321,600 for participant services and skill and talent development $250,000 for economic planning component 10

11. REI NEG - Resources to Rural Oregonians: Skilling Up Rural Citizens to Compete in the Global Economy: Participants may receive direct re-employment related services including, but not limited to career exploration and assessment, training or education to prepare for high growth, in-demand occupations within the regional economy, employment assistance, job placement follow-up services, on the job training, supportive services and needs based payments. Utilizing data published in the Oregon Employment Department’s Occupational Prioritization for Training (April 2010) – we have targeted the following industries: Health care and allied health-related areas; Advanced manufacturing; Emerging “green industries and alternative energy / energy related areas 11

12. Resources for Rural Oregonians: Planned enrollments: 370 Current enrollments: 186 Following is an example of training programs/areas that REI enrolled participants are currently involved with: Dental Assistant, Speech Pathology, Education, Nutritional Consultant, Culinary, Accounting, Historic Preservation, Energy Auditor, Paralegal, Juvenile Probation, Addiction Studies, Criminal Justice, Healthcare Administration, Health Information Technology, Truck Driving, Heavy Equipment Operator, Helicopter Pilot, HR Management, Medical Secretary, Pharmacy Tech, Welding, X-ray Tech, Pre-Nursing, Wind Turbine Tech 12

13. Planning for Economic Recovery – New Oregon Trails Resources made available through this grant to deploy a sub-regional planning process that thoughtfully examines the needs and anticipated opportunities of emerging and growth industries across the region. “Functional Economic Areas” * were identified and then modified to remain within the 24 county boundary, resulting in seven economic regions. An analysis of business and industry opportunities, impact and needs – including occupational skills for workers; technological and/or environmental impacts; retirement / replacement job impacts; local infrastructure demands; educational opportunities, and current workforce skills, education and attributes will be examined in each of the seven regions. Seven regional asset maps will be developed based on this analysis that identifies gaps, barriers and met needs. Panels in these seven economic regions will then work with this information to begin the development of a plan to address pertinent areas which remain unaddressed by currently available partners and/or resources. The planning process will support preparing workers for employment in demand occupations within the area; developing strategies and capabilities on a regional and sub-regional basis to deliver services; and position the area to better compete in the global economy. 13

14. *Economists are interested in areas that are bound together by trade links—the buying and selling of raw materials, industrial and consumer goods and services, and labor. An area which covers a relatively contained and cohesive network of trade is called a functional economic area (FEA), and this is the type of region that works best for economic modeling. In the case of the effort – because we are interested in planning for the 24 rural counties – functional economic areas were modified to fit the area. 14

15. New Oregon Trails: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” Theodore Roosevelt The realities of our rural economies are calling for new action and advocacy by every group that cares about a rural future, the Oregon Consortium & Oregon Workforce Alliance are utilizing every potential resource to support efforts to “Help Rural Oregon Work.” For additional information about efforts at the area and sub-area (regional) level call Kris Latimer, CEO at 541.928.0241 x219 or write to kris@tocowa.org 15