State Policies to Support Sector Partnerships

November 18, 2015@skillscoalition

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We seek an America that grows its economy by investing in its people, so that every worker and every industry has the skills to compete and prosper.

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• We organize broad-based coalitions seeking to raise the skills of America’s workers across a range of industries.

• We advocate for public policies that invest in what works, as informed by our members’ real-world expertise.

• And we communicate these goals to an American public seeking a vision for a strong U.S. economy that allows everyone to be part of its success.

State Policies to Support Sector Partnerships

November 3, 2015@skillscoalition

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Today’s Speakers

Brooke DeRenzisSenior State Policy Analyst

National Skills Coalition

Nancy SnyderPresident

Commonwealth Corporation

Kerrie CarteCoordinator/Administrator WSOS Community Action; Ohio Workforce Coalition

Emily Templin LeshAssistant DirectorPolicy & Industry

PartnershipsColorado Workforce Development Council

Bryan WilsonState Policy Director

National Skills Coalition

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Today’s Agenda

• Overview of Sector Partnership Policy: Presentation of NSC’s 50-State Scan and Toolkit

• What’s Happening in the States: Conversation with Speakers

• Q&A with the Audience

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What is a sector partnership?

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What Do Sector Partnerships Do?

• Analyze an industry’s current and future skill needs in a local area and identify occupations with skill gaps

• Develop a plan to close skill gaps in the industry

• Assist in implementation of that plan by carrying out activities such as:– Identifying common skill standards and promoting

industry-recognized credentials– Creating or informing training programs and curricula

for unemployed or incumbent workers– Assisting in creating career pathways that lead to

skilled jobs in the sector

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How State Policies Can Support Sector Partnerships

Authorize ongoing state support for local sector partnerships through funding, technical assistance, and/or program initiative(s).

• Funding: grants to partnerships using state and/or federal resources

• Technical Assistance: state staff assistance in formation/maintenance of partnerships; professional development and capacity building; customized labor market and economic analysis; and information on industry trends and workforce development resources

• Program Initiatives: promote the use of local sector partnerships as a key component of the state’s workforce strategy and/or set criteria for local sector partnerships

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Does Your State Have a Policy?

According to NSC’s new 50-state scan :

• 21 states have sector partnership policies

• Only 10 states have policies that include funding, technical assistance, and program initiatives

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Why Should States Establish Sector Partnership Policies?

• Expand use of sector partnerships

• Ensure quality services to employers and workers

• Align partnerships with other workforce strategies

• Carry out WIOA requirements

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New Toolkit on State Policies to Support Sector Partnerships

What’s in it?

• A guide on key elements of a robust policy

• A legislative template

• Case studies from MA, CO, and MD

• Links to state resources

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Policy Element 1: Funding

Recommendations

• Federal & state funds to provide grants to local sector partnerships

(States must use portion of WIOA Title I statewide reserve funds to support local sector partnerships).

• Consider matching funds

• Planning & implementation grants

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Policy Element 2: Technical Assistance

Recommendations

Technical Assistance Should Include:

• Direction and counseling from state staff

• Academies, toolkits, and peer-sharing networks

• Customized labor market and economic analysis

• Information on career pathways, training resources, skill standards, industry-recognized credentials, etc.

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Policy Element 3: Program Initiatives

Recommendations

• Promote sector partnerships as key part of workforce strategy

• Set key criteria for partnerships with flexibility for local differences and industry-specific needs:– Geographic area served– Target industries– Conveners and partners– Expectations for partnership

activities

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Administration & Assessment

Recommendations

Administration:• Lead agency• Collaborate with other

state economic development, education, & training agencies

Assessment:• WIOA metrics• Additional metrics

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What’s happening in the states…

What types of support does your state provide to local sector partnerships?

Massachusetts, Colorado, Ohio

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Focus on Funding: Massachusetts

• What types of activities do grants to sector partnership support?

• How are grants used to leverage partner resources and sustain partnership activities?

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Focus on Technical Assistance: Colorado

• What types of technical assistance does Colorado provide to sector partnerships?

• What are the benefits of providing technical assistance?

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Focus on Advocacy: Ohio

• What steps did the Ohio Workforce Coalition take to advocate for the state’s sector partnership policy?

• What were the coalition’s key messages and who were the messengers?

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Connecting sector partnerships to the broader workforce system

Massachusetts, Colorado, Ohio

• How does your state policy connect sector partnerships to career pathways?

• How is your state’s sector partnership policy being incorporated into its workforce strategy under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act?

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Please submit your questions using the question box.

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