Are you wired into W.I.R.E.D? A Community Mapping Workshop It’s a Reverse Workshop!

Local discussions and local knowledge are the key and foundation of implementing a great program Have you EVEN heard of the WIRED Initiative?

WIRED ETA announced in November 2005 the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative To expand employment and advancement opportunities for working Americans Regions are geographical areas that share common economic characteristics, i.e. a labor shortage or similar occupational growth Common goals: Develop models to foster regional economic transformations Integrate economic and workforce development activities Focus on talent development

Why? Economy has changed; the United States used to be an industrial economy and many jobs were not interchangeable With changes in technology – many jobs need education (post HS) and…..better paying jobs require degrees, etc. WIRED focuses on talents and educational achievements

How? Governors apply for WIRED grants on behalf of a region In some cases Governors have applied for cross state regions – Example, the Tennessee Valley Region serves selected counties in both Alabama and Tennessee ETA provides funding to the regions to implement change in their workforce and economic systems at the regional level Funds are used for, but not limited to: planning, training, outreach activities, staffing, equipment, etc.

WIRED Partners Employers Labor organizations Universities Community colleges Community and faith based organizations Local Workforce Investment Boards are the fiscal agents Governors (or State Agencies) are the grant recipients

Through September 18, 2007 Grants awarded in 3 generations following competitive bidding processes Not all states or regions receive these funds DOL has provided seed capitol of $325 million Grantees receive other funding and assistance through other leveraged resources 39 self-defined regions participating Reference: USDOL- Remarks at the National Summit on American Competitiveness, Sec. Elaine Chao

SSAI projects located in WIRED regions AL: Birmingham, Camden, Decatur, Huntsville, Montgomery, Muscle Shoals, Tuscaloosa CA: Chinatown, Monterey, Oakland, Santa Barbara IN: South Bend MN: Central MN MS: Gulfport, Jackson, Wesson NC: Winston-Salem OH: Belmont, Caldwell, Columbiana, Marietta, Steubenville TN: Fayetteville, Memphis WI: Green Bay

More! More information about WIRED can be found at

Other Initiatives to watch President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative – an effort to prepare workers to take advantage of job opportunities in new jobs in theirs areas as a result of new economic development in their area. Process of engaging business, education, and the workforce investment system to develop solutions to the workforce challenges facing high-growth industries Since 2002, over 150 grants have been awarded by DOL/ETA to support the development of industry driven solutions to meet the needs or challenges faced by employers Grantees use the funds to implement training (i.e.) advanced manufacturing’ aerospace, biotechnology, energy, health care, hospitality and retail industries, etc. Reference: Employment and Training Occasional Paper , ETA/USDOL

Other Initiatives to watch Community-Based Job Training Grants - This initiative continues the work of the High Growth Job Training Initiative Open competitive grant - closing October 10, 2007 To support development of workforce training programs for high- growth and high demand industries Targeted to the national system of community and technical colleges Funds may be awarded to Community Colleges, State community college systems and One-Stop Career Systems Grants range from $500,000 to $2 million Reference CFR Vol. 72, No. 152 August 8, 2007