Goals and Strategies Status Report - Goal 3 Initial Update - Goal 3 February 09, 2009 The High Country Workforce Development Board developed a set of locally meaningful progress measures to support the goals of the strategic plan. The Executive Committee has responsibility for monitoring four of these measures in support of Goal III. The Executive Committee reviews the measures and goal progress on a quarterly basis and will make annual reports following the end of each fiscal year. As of the end of the first two quarters of the strategic plan period, three of the four measures identified to support workforce system alignment are on target: timely generation of staff reports to the Board and its committees; at least 70% of WIA expenditures are committed to direct community investment as identified by the Executive Committee; and and at least 10% of Workforce Development Board members participate and represent the Board in outside events.The fourth measure, Board membership attendance rates, has been a challenge to date, and remains a priority of the Execuctive Committee. July 2008 - March 2009: Goal 3 April 16, 2009 The High Country Workforce Development Board demonstrates its active support of policies that promote business competitiveness, self-sufficiency, life-long learning, and work readiness in various ways, one of which is to host relevant issue forums, three of which have been conducted during the current program year. “Build Your Community Network,” was held 08/08; a Demand-Driven Partner Dialogue, representing fifteen counties, was conducted 11/08; an Energy Issues Forum was held 02/09. Staff has also participated in more than two dozen issue-oriented events to ensure that the Board, WIA service providers, JobLink partners, and others have access to the most current data and information. At least ten training and best practice meetings have been conducted with WIA service providers and JobLink partners to further this goal. The Board also regularly participates in strategic alliances to support workforce solutions across boundaries. To date, the HC WDB has participated in the Allied Health Careers Regional Skill Planning Grant; the NC Disability Navigator Program Grant, Future Forward Economic Alliance, NC Workforce Regional Collaboration Grant which has evolved in the Future Forward Workforce Alliance, the ASU Institute of Health and Human Services Outreach Advisory Committee; and the Advantage West Labor Market Availability Study. To align resources for effectiveness and efficiencies, the High Country Workforce Development Board has sponsored three regional or multi-regional events: “Build Your Community Network,” 08/08; Demand-Driven Partner Dialogue, 11/08; Energy Issues Forum, 02/09. The High Country Workforce Development Board has established locally meaningful measures to determine system success, including alignment of resources to ensure a seamless and effective workforce system in the region. Likewise, measures have been put in place to determine whether JobLink Centers are seen as a viable service by businesses. Reports identifying individual and business use of JobLink Centers are reviewed by Quality Assurance Committee on a quarterly basis to determine if goals and measures are being met and to respond to identified challenges. Building the JobLink Career Center system is one of the Board’s important initiatives. Board staff provide on-going technical support to JobLink Centers and the Board reviews and approves center applications to obtain and retain status as chartered centers in North Carolina’s workforce system. During the current program year, the Wilkes JobLink Center has been rechartered by the NC Division of Workforce Development. JobLink Business Services Representatives represent both local JobLink Centers and the Workforce Development Board. They have conducted and/or participated in regional business summits, served on groups including Leadership Team for Certified Entrepreneurial Community Committee; promoted Career Readiness Certification and economic modeling services to local employers; and hosted mini-Job Fairs on behalf of specific businesses. Throughout the program year, JobLink Centers have served new business customers while retaining existing ones. In at least one county, an agreement has been reached with the Economic Development Director to include JobLink representatives in initial meetings with prospective businesses. One of the Board’s local objectives is to increase member participation both in Board meetings and external events representing the Board. During the course of the current program year, all Board vacancies have been filled. Attendance at Board meetings has averaged 66%. The Board’s annual average attendance goal for the strategic plan period is 70%. The Board set a goal that at least 10% of its members would participate in external events as representatives of the High Country Workforce Development Board. Through the third quarter, 48% of members have represented the Board at external events. Three individual and group Board orientation sessions have been conducted for new members. To enhance knowledge and understanding of workforce needs in the regions, staff and board members have participated in public events, such as listening tours, Chamber events, issue forums, and various multi-regional events and have met with legislators one-on-one to provide public officials with current regional workforce system information, including written summaries of key issues and initiatives. Board Books, which contain relevant local economic and workforce data as well as other relevant workforce issues, are published and mailed to elected officials. Organizational restructuring has taken place and staff duties have been realigned to enhance internal efficiencies and simplify communications with businesses, WIA service providers, and other interested parties. The High Country Workforce Development website was developed to serve as one tool to provide awareness and educational information to elected officials, members of the public, businesses, governmental entities and other agencies in one easy location. The website includes a board calendar of events; current news items of interest; archived Board meeting minutes, resources for businesses, workforce development professionals, and others; and a variety of publications including Board meeting presentations, State of the Workforce Report, Workforce Investment Act annual plans, and the Board’s strategic plan. Information about the website is provided through business cards, at meetings, through news articles, and other outreach efforts. April 2009-June 2009: Goal III July 02, 2009 In addition to continuing participation in initiatives previously reported, the High Country Workforce Development Board continues to align resources to support a seamless workforce system. Workforce Board staff developed and implemented a new website, www.RecoveryInTheHighCountry.com, designed specifically to provide information on a wide array of resources available to everyone affected by today's economy. The website is updated at least three times weekly, has been broadly marketed throughout the region and the state, and several organizations have created links to this site on their own websites. The Recovery website includes a Facebook fan page which Facebook users can use to find out about updates from the Workforce Development Board and can make comments on the Board’s involvement in the community. A collection of locally published news articles about the High Country Workforce Development Board, including its Recovery Act initiatives, is available on the Board’s recovery website. The website also includes several blogs which contain collections of local, state, and national news stories. (stimulus news. To encourage community participation in Recovery Act ''green'' training initiatives, the High Country Workforce Development Board convened meetings of organizations across and beyond the seven-county region to discuss concepts for ARRA workforce development competitive grants available through the US Department of Labor. Over fifty individuals representing a variety of concepts for development of the region’s green workforce have participated to date. Program Year 2008 Local Performance Measures Report August 25, 2009 The High Country Workforce Development Board identified locally meaningful goals as part of its three-year strategic plan update, we identified measurable locally meaningful goals to supplement federal Workforce Investment Act performance standards. Program Year 2008 (July 2008 - June 2009) local goals that support alignment of resources to promote and support a seamless and effective workforce system for businesses ad for the emerging, incumbent, and transitional workforces include: Board member attendance at meetings of High Country Workforce Development Board will average 70%. Program Year 2008 performance: 62% At least 10% of High Country Workforce Development Board members will participate in outside events in their capacity as Workforce Development Board members. Program Year 2008 performance: 22% At least 70% of Workforce Investment Act expenditures are committed to direct community investment, as identified by the Executive Committee of the High Country Workforce Development Board. Program Year 2008 performance: 71.2% Staff reports and follow-through to Board and committees are generated in a timely manner, as determined by the assessment of the Board’s Executive Committee. Program Year 2008 performance: this goal was accomplished as demonstrated by Board Books, quarterly committee and Strategic Plan update reports, and website maintenance and updates. July-September, 2009—Goal III October 22, 2009 To ensure workforce system alignment and effectiveness, the High Country Workforce Development Board hosted and facilitated a series of interest meetings of area organizations to provide information and gauge interest in workforce development competitive grant opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. To increase awareness of the workforce system and its services, Board staff provided economic forecasting reports; produced and distributed anIncumbent Worker Grant brochure; participated in various business and economic development meetings; and submitted press releases to regional newspapers and radio stations. In addition, both the Workforce Development Board website and its Recovery website were updated with relevant information at least weekly. Board staff meets weekly to maintain accountability on these and other issues. The Board continued its commitment to strategic alliances that support system alignment by particiatping in five multi-regional workforce-related competitive grant applications to the US Department of Labor. To ensure that public officials and other key policy makers are informed about workforce issues, the High Country Workforce Development Board maintains membership in Chambers of Commerce throughout the region; conducted orientation session for new Board members; held a meeting of the High Country Workforce Development Consortium to provide Board, Workforce Investment Act, and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act updates; made presentations and published news articles; and created and disseminated Board Books to members and key public officials. October - December 2009 February 15, 2010 To align resources in support of a seamless workforce system, Board staff *submitted seven press releases to regional newspapers and radio stations; * prepared economic forecasting reports for one of the region’s large employers; *conducted training sessions for WIA service providers and for JobLink Career Centers; * conducted a local TV and radio interview; *participated in multiple meetings and networking events throughout the region; * prepared and distributed informational Board Books to all members as well as local, state, and federal elected officials; economic development organizations; and other interested parties. Two JobLink Centers are actively working to achieve state charter requirements ,which focus on customer service, continuous improvement, and a seamless workforce delivery system. The Program Year 2008 progress report on the Board’s Strategic Plan was made at the Board’s October 2009 meeting for review and evaluation. The Executive Committee revamped the Board’s committee structure to more effectively and efficiently monitor progress to achieve its goals. During the second quarter, committees reviewed and monitored WIA adult and dislocated worker service provider reports, JobLink Center quarterly reports, financial status reports, and WIA youth service provider monthly progress reports. The High Country WDB Youth Council solicited Letters of Intent to Bid on WIA services in accordance with local, state, and federal procurement requirements. Based on results, youth services in the region will be offered by the High Country Council of Governments and Mayland Community College. To increase awareness and recognition of the value of the workforce system and its services, two websites have been developed. The Board’s official website, www.highcountrywdb.com is reviewed and updated weekly. The board’s economic recovery website, www.recoveryinthehighcountry.com is updated on a daily basis. To support workforce solutions through strategic alliances, the Board has continued participation in multiple joint ARRA competitive grant applications. In December, notification was received that a fifteen-county Regional Innovation Grant had been approved by the US Department of Labor Departmental staff meetings have been held at l east every other week throughout the quarter to ensure development of Boards staff; all Board staff have participated in professional development workshops and training sessions throughout the quarter. A year-long professionally facilitated team-building process was begun in November with two group events completed by the end of the quarter. A statewide WIA Recovery Act outreach campaign was initiated in December. January - March 2010: Goal 3 April 20, 2010 To increase awareness of system services, the Board’s new Facebook page has been established and updated several times each week; the Board conducted two community forums; Board staff met with NCESC Employer Services Specialist regarding our services; staff discussed the USDOL-funded Regional Innovation Grant with the Ashe Workforce Development Task Force; seven press releases were submitted to regional newspapers and radio stations discussing Board efforts and JobLink Career Center services; both board websites were updated and regularly maintained; and career preparation materials were provided to each JobLink Center for distribution. In addition to other Board website updates, the Program Year 2010 Workforce Investment Act Plan was posted for review and comment. To continue building strategic alliance that support workforce solutions across boundaries, the three Workforce Development Boards have conducted regular meetings and discussions regarding our joint participation in (1) the US Department of Labor’s Regional Innovation Grant and (2) the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Energy Sector Partnership Grant. To ensure development of Board members, we have maintained electronic communications with members and conducted orientation for one new member during the quarter. The only Board meeting scheduled for this quarter was canceled due to severe weather. Professional development of Board staff has been maintained via three department-wide meetings during the quarter in addition to mini-cluster initiatives. Staff team-building series continues. Staff participated in several regional and statewide training events including NC Workforce Leadership Academy, NC Workforce Learning Network, JobLink Coordinator training, Youth Employment Issues training. JobLink Center outreach includes a quarterly newsletter distributed by the Alleghany, Ashe, and Wilkes JobLink Centers; regular updates to the Wilkes JobLink Center web page; and Facebook page that has been developed and maintained by the Watauga JobLink Center. Public officials have been provided information through Board websites and Facebook page, as well as through distribution of bi-monthly Board Books, update of strategic plan, and written correspondence regarding Board membership terms. Workforce information was shared at meetings of the CompuCredit Employee Rapid Response meetings, Northwest NC Workforce Practitioners meeting, “Road to Recovery” community forum, and the small business needs community forum. Staff also participated in Mitchell Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meetings and Ashe County Small Business Awards Luncheon. April-June 2010; PY 2009 Annual Summary: Goal 3 July 30, 2010 The High Country Workforce Development Board’s participation in two multi-region federal grants is evidence that the Board aligns its resources to promote and support a seamless and effective workforce system. The US Department of Labor’s competitive Regional Innovation Grant is being used to evaluate 21st century workplace skill needs and to promote relevant education, training, and lifelong learning in support of those skills. The competitive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Energy Sector Partnership Grant, sponsored by the US Department of Labor, identifies and provides training opportunities leading to career paths in energy-efficiency and renewable energy occupations. Both grants rely heavily on community engagement. The increased use of the region’s JobLink Career Centers by both businesses and individuals (see Goal I report) is one measure of an increase in awareness and recognition of the value of the public workforce system and its services. Additional evidence that this goal was met during Program Year 2009 includes increased use of the Board’s website (www.highcountrywdb.com); requests for information from news media and economic development officials; publication of more than twenty workforce development news articles throughout the region; and active participation in public forums and workgroups sponsored by the Board. The High Country Workforce Development Board’s support of policies that promote business competitiveness, self-sufficiency, life-long learning and work readiness is demonstrated through its participation in the Regional Innovation Grant, its participation in the Energy Sector Partnership Grant, the award of seven Incumbent Worker Training Grants to upgrade worker skills; sponsorship of the regional Business Services Community Forum and its resulting workgroup; sponsorship of a forum to identify local responses to current economic conditions; and implementation of a temporary comprehensive Recovery website which identified and publicized business services, training opportunities, and economic survival strategies for the general public. The High Country Workforce Development Board maintains open communication with public officials and other key policy makers through websites, quarterly progress reports, bi-monthly publications, and regular meetings with the Workforce Development Consortium (Chairs of County Commissions throughout the seven-county region). Board staff maintain membership in local civic organizations and Chambers of Commerce; participate in Chamber After-Hours and other community activities; and share information at various public meetings and events throughout the year. In Program Year 2009, a minimum of 75% of available funding was committed to direct community investment efforts. Member participation in High Country Workforce Development Board meetings averaged 75% for the year. Fifty-three percent of members represented the Board in outside events.