Local Area 1 Strategic Plan - Town Hall November 20, :00am-12:00pm

AGENDA Introduction & Purpose 5 year Regional Strategy Preface Supply / Demand analysis SWOT Regional Workforce Development Assets Goals: Strategies Action Plans Process Recap Next Steps

Introductions Aroostook and Washington Workforce Investment Board Members Northern Maine Development Commission Attendees Introductions Purpose 5 Year Strategic Plan Presentation Public Comments- Due December 1, 2014 Present to AWWIB & CLEOs for Approval Submit to SWIB-MDOL

5-year Regional Strategy Preface In a 21st Century economy, a high performing workforce development system is seen as the oxygen to keep a regional economy alive and viable. Workforce and economic development must be purposefully integrated with common goals and alignment within a regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). The Aroostook-Washington County, Maine workforce development system is designing and implementing a Workforce Center of Excellence (WCOE) model. This model engages on an active an ongoing basis people, education and training providers and employers. Each of these stakeholders has a unique role to play in the success of a workforce development system. They all have independent interests, acknowledging the fact that collaboration and resource sharing is the key to success. The 5-year strategy plan is built upon four primary goal areas: Resource Integration Industry Engagement Human Capital Development Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Supply - Quanity and skills of human capital in the region - Capacity of workforce training and education in the region Demand - Projected quantity and skills of workforce by the regions industry sectors over then next decade Baseline 2010Aroostook CountyWashington CountyAWWIB Region Population71,87032,856104,726 Employable Population 16+59,36027,34086,700 Labor Participation Rate58%58.3%58.09% Total Employed34,42915,93950,368 Average Wage Per Job$32,772$32,132$32,600 Total Regional Wages$1.28B$512M$1.642B Per Capita Income$31,153$30,727$31,019 Regional GDP$3.28B$1.35B$4.63B Bachelor’s Degrees 25+8,9032,87311,776 Regional Economy Baseline Economic Conditions, Workforce Supply/Demand Analysis The following section provides a regional economic baseline and supply/demand gap analysis of the Aroostook and Washington Counties economy and workforce.

Maine Median Age AWWIB Population Estimate 103, AWWIB Population Estimate 103,514 Aroostook Washington Labor Supply

In the fall and early winter of 2013, key stakeholders and partners for workforce development in Aroostook and Washington counties were interviewed individually and/or participated in a review of the existing workforce development system.

Strengths Alignment of AWWIB and AWEDD regions to promote strategic coordination of workforce and economic development efforts. The basic elements to build a 21st Century high performing Workforce Development System all exist in the region. Former silo mentality is beginning to breakdown American Job Centers (CareerCenters)

Weaknesses The Maine demographic and workforce trends are creating an unsustainable condition in which Aroostook and Washington Counties are leading the trend When asked where would you go to find help if you were seeking new employment, a common response was “Good luck with that.” Communication to the community regarding available resources is very limited. Available workforce (WIA) funding is spread too thin among numerous service provider with no connection to strategic goals or performance metrics Formerly prevailing silo mentality is hard to overcome

Opportunities Aroostook Community Action Program (ACAP) – as a workforce services provider they have strong contact with clients and through case management systems can leverage multiple services to meet client needs. Leverage resources such as: Women, Work & Community Gauvin County Scholarship Fund – Aroostook Aspirations Initiative Aroostook Partnership for Progress – Education to Industry initiative (should be replicated in Washington County)

Threats School districts can be very competitive and lack a history of collaboration The region has significant Post-Secondary education resources which are underutilized and in some cases only peripherally engaged with the workforce development system. Limited training funding Childcare and Client transportation Family support Low family support for those seeking Bachelor Degree Prevailing attitude is to move away from the region to find work

Regional Workforce Development Assets A survey of stakeholders in Workforce Development, Business, Education, and citizens of our region was conducted to identify workforce development assets in Aroostook and Washington Counties. The following are a list of categories used in the asset identification.  Organizations – public, private or non-profits that are involved in the delivery and/or support of workforce development services.  Facility & Infrastructure – physical items or places that are being used in the education or training of workers.  Excellence – person, organization or facility that is recognized locally, statewide or nationally as a leader in their field.  People – individuals that have special knowledge, skills, network contacts, experience or resources in the field of workforce development.  Knowledge – individuals or organizations that have unique or special knowledge in a specific area or workforce development topic. Note: The above list is not exhaustive and is intended to highlight examples of our regional assets that are instrumental in delivering a skilled workforce.

Goal #1: Resource Integration – Continue to build capacity in established workforce development system which expands and leverages public, private and non-profit resources with a common vision. In five years, the regional system will have at least 20 active workforce stakeholders resulting in a 2 to 1 leverage of funds. Goal #2: Industry Engagement – In 2014, the workforce system partners will engage with private and public employers to increase participation in regional industry sectors. Goal #3: Human Capital Development – To align and support Mobilize Maine, in five years, the workforce development system will help build a robust workforce pool by increasing population, growing the age group, increasing Bachelor Degree attainment and Associate Degree attainment of residents. Goal #4: Innovation & Entrepreneurship – The regional workforce development system will engage with NMDC, Sunrise County Economic Council, Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) and other economic development partners to create a region-wide Innovation and Entrepreneurship model. Entrepreneurship and workforce development programs will increase collaboration to embed new strategic and ongoing entrepreneurship programs into workforce services. The workforce development system partners will adopt innovative and entrepreneurial principles to create a system-wide culture of creativity, innovation, and flexibility in service delivery.

Goal #1: Resource Integration see handout

Goal #2: Industry Engagement see handout

Goal #3: Human Capital Development see handout

Goal #4: Innovation & Entrepreneurship see handout Husson University, University of Maine, Blackstone Accelerates Growth, BigGig and more!

The plan was submitted to MDOL in April and was conditionally approved by the Maine State Workforce Investment Board on May 23, Since that date, the strategic plan review committee has met several times to refine the action items related to the goals and strategies set forth in the plan. Strategic Planning Sessions were held on the following dates: July 18, 2014 September 2, 2014 September 23, 2014 October 7, 2014 Today we conducted the Town Hall Public Review Meeting

Responses and feedback received December 1, 2014 Present to AWWIB with answers to any public comment & request board approval & recommend to CLEOS December 4, 2014 Present to Chief Local Elected Officials week of December 8, 2014 Submit to SWIB / MDOL by December 15, 2014