State Policies to Support Sector Partnerships November 18,

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Our Vision 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.

Our Mission 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,

Today’s Speakers Brooke DeRenzis Senior State Policy Analyst National Skills Coalition Nancy Snyder President Commonwealth Corporation Kerrie Carte Coordinator/Administrator WSOS Community Action; Ohio Workforce Coalition Emily Templin Lesh Assistant Director Policy & Industry Partnerships Colorado Workforce Development Council Bryan Wilson State Policy Director National Skills Coalition

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

What is a sector partnership?

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

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

Does Your State Have a Policy? According to NSC’s new 50-state scan 50-state scan : 21 states have sector partnership policies Only 10 states have policies that include funding, technical assistance, and program initiatives

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

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

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

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.

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

Administration & Assessment Recommendations Administration: Lead agency Collaborate with other state economic development, education, & training agencies Assessment: WIOA metrics Additional metrics

What’s happening in the states… What types of support does your state provide to local sector partnerships? Massachusetts, Colorado, Ohio

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?

Focus on Technical Assistance: Colorado What types of technical assistance does Colorado provide to sector partnerships? What are the benefits of providing technical assistance?

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?

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?

Your Questions Please submit your questions using the question box.

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