WorkforceGPS

	Newsletter
March 2019 Newsletter
March 2019
Spring is around the corner, and in that vein, we are pleased this month to highlight some of the “grassroots” initiatives that are happening across the nation’s public workforce system. Just like nature, some of these initiatives are homegrown from seed, while others are hybrid versions of various ideas “borrowed,” tweaked, and replanted from others. There is no reason to start from scratch if others have successfully implemented a program that can benefit your job seekers and employers. Think of WorkforceGPS as a “greenhouse” of ideas that you can choose from to start or improve services in your state or local area. Whether you find that idea on the global site or one of the over two dozen communities, WorkforceGPS is here for you. Here's just a sample for you to consider... Workforce Boards Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) play a critical role in contributing to healthy regional economies that serve the needs of business and workers. WDBs function in multiple roles—as a steward of Federal and non-Federal funds, overseeing a host of operational systems and processes, and as the primary architects of the State’s overall workforce strategy. This month, we are pleased to highlight a number of resources and successful programs operated by state and local workforce development boards. These include a toolkit intended to assist WDBs in becoming more strategic and effective, as well as case studies, webinars, on-line training for board members, and links to national organizations that foster and support state and local workforce development boards. We have created a resource page that provides you with quick access to these resources. We also want to remind you that the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) Annual Forum will be held in Washington, DC, from March 23-26, 2019. This conference is designed to help you engage with national and local leaders in business, government, labor, and education in high-level discussions, insights, and forward thinking that addresses the toughest workforce-related challenges in developing the future of work! Finally, as always, we are pleased to share with you several new reports and resources that have been posted on the global site and various WorkforceGPS Communities. Now go plant some flowers!
Featured Content Partnering with Economic Development Agencies and Chambers of Commerce to Add Value: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which was signed into law in 2014, envisions strong partnerships between local workforce development areas and local economic development agencies. Local workforce boards are encouraged to collaborate with their economic development partners in the implementation of WIOA. Highlights from the Pathways Bradley Teacher Externship Handbook: Teacher externships offer unique professional development opportunities that enable high school teachers to connect academics with job readiness. Youth CareerConnect grantee Pathways Bradley has developed a Teacher Externship Handbook with many useful templates and tools, including sample planning documents and book studies. This valuable resource will help get you create your own successful externship program. DEI Best Practices Highlights: This page contains mini-brief summaries of disability and employment best practices currently being implemented by Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) grantees. Overall, it has been found that the implementation of DEI strategies have resulted in an increase in the enrollment of individuals with disabilities at American Job Centers. Creating Entrepreneurship Pathways for Opportunity Youth: As opportunity youth continue to struggle to connect to the economy, entrepreneurship offers a chance for them to learn the skills and mindset needed to thrive in today's economy. Opportunity youth, the 4.6 million young people who are neither in work nor in school, often encounter significant barriers to education and employment, and entrepreneurship programs may offer solutions to the challenges they face. Rethinking Recruitment: Partnerships and Strategies: The success of a YouthBuild program is evident when the program achieves strong program outcomes for participants by helping them to attain educational and vocational credentials, as well as an education and/or employment placement that is a on a career pathway towards a sustaining wage and upward mobility.
Upcoming Public Events March 07, 2019: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title l Wagner-Peyser Act Waiver Request Process March 20, 2019: Sustaining Employer Partnerships for Students’ Long-Term Success March 23, 2019: National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) Annual Forum
Recent Public Events Solving Industry Challenges Using Competency Models: February 12, 2019 WIOA Joint Data Validation Overview: February 06, 2019 From Training to Working: Strategies to Support Participant Employment: January 30, 2019 Evaluation Information and Resources for RESEA Programs: January 22, 2019
Thank You! Sincerely, The WorkforceGPS Team Helping You Navigate to Success Today
U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration

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