RETOOLING WASHINGTON’S WORKFORCE

Embracing a culture of coordinated and effective service delivery

Keys to Success: What works

Business engagement & partnership involvement

Network of colleagues and service providers across the state

Migrating successful models to other industries

Community College Partnerships within the CTC system

Keys to Success: What Works

Intentionally aligning the diverse missions of partners

Strategic plan alignment among partners Multi-county information website providing

single point of contact A shared IT system across agencies Common language

Keys to Success: What works

Use of EDC and chambers for employer outreach Shared employee(s) among partner organizations Use of technology to provide services (especially

rural communities) Case management and placement services Data on demographics of long-term unemployed

(age, vets, construction workers) informs service delivery

Keys to Success: What works

Establishing employer relationships through industry associations

Wrap-around services to at-risk college students by co-locating community based organization representatives on campus

Use of prior-learning credits and ICP Libraries as a major partner

Keys to Success: What works

Facilitate information exchange among employers Use of volunteers by WorkSource with special expertise. Training and support of front-line staff Increase value of WorkSource services to jobseekers (specialized workshops, coaching, resume development, etc.) On-line self-service tools to increase access to jobseekers seeking services

Keys to Success: What works

Share board members (especially the Executive Directors) among partner organizations

Strong utilization of industry-lead (skills) panels I-BEST Shared Career Coach – co-funded by multiple

businesses Repackage existing data to meet local

audience/customer

Keys to Success: What works

Facilitate information exchange among employers

WDCs become a training resource for smaller firms

Good work underway to bring UI Exhaustees into Work Source (auto-dialer) re-engaging them and providing better chance for success

Obstacles & ChallengesAnd how we overcame them

Turf – Trust – Tradition Multiple jurisdictions and service providers:

Difficulty in achieving consensus Need to focus on incumbent workers Uncertainty and rapid change (technology,

employer needs and student needs)

Obstacles & Challenges

Multiple funding sources with competing demands

Culture clashes among partners Sustainability The “four-year college” assumption Information sharing is hard

Obstacles & Challenges

Credit for prior learning needs to be standardized across colleges

UI Exhaustees and long-term employed experiencing employment discrimination

Reaching out to and serving older jobseekers with disabilities

Adjusting to the disappearing Safety Net

Obstacles & Challenges

Communicating with a younger audience – new media?

Business unaware of key workforce programs

Where do we go from here?

Performance measures aligned with collaboration success

Advocate for entire workforce system (not focusing on individual programs)

Find appropriate forums to come together Play to strengths, be honest about

shortcomings to build stronger team

Where do we go from here?

Look for shared resources to keep great programs going

Move from a template approach of one-size-fits-all to smart efficient individualized job placement assistance

Enhance interagency information sharing Raise awareness at a higher level including

state and national associations

Where to we go next?

Need employer data sharing and collection tool Need for a work readiness skill readiness and

competency test that is standardized Employer buy-in including funding support where

there is value (Seattle hospitals underwriting case manager for adult worker learning)

Advise jobseekers to take on-call or part-time jobs to stay engaged in workforce

Thank you for attending

This event made possible by the support of:U.S. Department of LaborEmployment Security Department Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DSHS)Washington Association for Career & Technical EducationWorkforce Training & Education Coordinating Board