1. 2015 STC Summit Engaging Workforce Partners in Outreach Presenters: Jeff Ryan, US Department of Labor Ken Messina, MA Division of Career Services Neil Gorrell, WA Employment Security Department Moderator: Lidia Fiore, US Department of Labor

2. 2015 STC Summit Today We’re Going to Discuss What is Rapid Response & layoff aversion? – And what role can you play in supporting Rapid Response? MA Business Engagement Approach: Mass BizWorks Examples from Washington Discussion 2

3. 2015 STC Summit The Promise of the Workforce System When you need us most, we will be there 3

4. 2015 STC Summit What is Rapid Response? The purpose of Rapid Response is to promote economic recovery and vitality by developing an ongoing, comprehensive approach to identifying, planning for, or responding to layoffs and dislocations, and preventing or minimizing their impacts on workers, businesses, and communities (TEGL 3-15) – Rapid Response is MUCH more than simply meeting with dislocated workers to tell them how to get UI and training 4

5. 2015 STC Summit Rapid Response has two ultimate goals – prevent layoffs – enable affected workers to return to work as quickly as possible following a layoff Rapid Response is a primary gateway to the workforce system for both dislocated workers and businesses And Rapid Response is one of many parts of a business engagement program 5

6. 2015 STC Summit What is Business Engagement? 6 Delivery of solutions to address the needs of businesses in transition, provided across the business lifecycle (expansion and contraction) Comprehensive strategies and activities designed to support companies and ultimately prevent or minimize the duration of unemployment of their workforce (layoff aversion)

7. 2015 STC Summit Business Engagement Supports Workers Connects affected workers to new job possibilities before layoffs occur Provides direct reemployment services post- layoff Facilitates connections to a wide array of services and resources 7

8. 2015 STC Summit Layoff Aversion Layoff aversion is defined as preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment Business engagement programs including Rapid Response focus on layoff aversion and can deliver or connect companies to many different solutions One of the many possible layoff aversion activities is STC 8

9. 2015 STC Summit Marketing STC Business engagement programs, including Rapid Response, must focus on marketing workforce programs and other business services For example, Rapid Response interfaces with companies every day and should be equipped to promote all services to those businesses, including STC STC and other programs should be closely tied to Rapid Response and other business engagement programs to ensure maximum exposure to potential customers Let’s turn to Ken and Neil to talk more about that 9

10. 2015 STC Summit How Can UI/STC Connect with Rapid Response? Be sure you know your Rapid Response coordinator(s) Understand that Rapid Response is connected to business across the business cycle, and Rapid Response helps businesses grow and prosper – And that UI programs are relevant and important even when business might not be laying off Actively participate in business engagement, layoff aversion, and other Rapid Response strategic planning activities – UI is a critical partner that MUST be at the table Recognize that we all have a role to play in ensuring that we keep “The Promise” 10

11. 2015 STC Summit Mass BizWorks 11 Connecting business to state and federal resources to meet business needs www.mass.gov/bizworks

12. 2015 STC Summit Overview & Structure 12

13. 2015 STC Summit 13

14. 2015 STC Summit The Business Cycle—Two Critical Points Know the Business Research and know the type of business you are working with; when they are in growth mode, slow periods, acquiring new contacts, and expanding their business The first part of understanding the business cycle is all about understanding your customers How the various services fit when it is most beneficial to the business Incentives for growth Enhancing the skills of present employees Hiring and enhancing the skills of new hires (OJT) Making the business environment safe (Safety Grant) Layoff Aversion/business slowdown (WorkShare) 14

15. 2015 STC Summit 15 LWIB - Local Workforce Investment Board NEG - National Emergency Grant OSCC - One-Stop Career Center TRA - Trade Readjustment Act UI - Unemployment Insurance WIB - Workforce Investment Board

16. 2015 STC Summit Coordination with Dept of Unemployment Assistance Rapid Response / DUA informational sessions Determinations department (severance) Understanding the business side of Unemployment Assistance TRA/ TAA Workshare 16

17. 2015 STC Summit Marketing Workshare Rapid Response/Business Services Reps are the marketing arm BizWorks training includes the Workshare component, Module 1:250 trained; Module 2: 150 trained Expos, Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations, individual business sessions Workshare marketing materials, PowerPoint presentation Certificate of good standing 17

18. 2015 STC Summit DOL Workshare Enhancement Grant More Marketing Materials Workshare presentations Audits (this is a concern) System/ application enhancements 18

19. 2015 STC Summit Engaging Workforce Partners: Examples from Washington Neil Gorrell Employment System Policy & UI Director November 2015

20. 2015 STC Summit Different roles across divisions: Workforce & Career Development Division – Rapid Response & Layoff Assistance Unemployment Insurance – Special Programs – includes Shared Work Employment System Policy & Integrity Operations – Policy development Whether formally or informally, teams form across the divisions to ensure timely response for businesses 20

21. 2015 STC Summit Rapid Response – a critical partner in outreach Rapid Response staff identify businesses that may benefit from Shared Work Staff takes initial inquiries from employers beginning layoff process; probe to see if there’s any chance of avoiding layoffs If any chance, pass contact information to Shared Work team for immediate contact Tip: they don’t suggest that the employer contact Shared Work; they make connection proactively 21

22. 2015 STC Summit Example – Major Business Closure Timber mill – major employer in logging town – announced they would be closing. Local officials anticipated substantial downstream effects on economy. Rapid Response was asked to participate in local meetings and planning sessions Rapid Response staff asked Shared Work team to join response 22

23. 2015 STC Summit Example – Major Business Closure Shared Work team set up booth at local community fair to inform employers about program and discuss options Team also canvassed local businesses in the town to continue outreach efforts Mill closure expected later next year – continuing to monitor and assist businesses with transition to new economic situation 23

24. 2015 STC Summit Example – Disaster Recovery March 2014 – landslide blocked state highway, isolating a rural community from its urban center Triggered major disaster declaration, full federal response (FEMA, National Guard, etc) ESD contributions included local WorkSource assistance, National Emergency Grants, Disaster Unemployment Assistance 24

25. 2015 STC Summit Example – Disaster Recovery After a couple weeks, deployed Shared Work staff to area for outreach efforts Couldn’t get to town; redirected to meet with county chamber of commerce instead Message was passed – one large timber employer showed interest in program to mitigate anticipated long-term effects Lesson: coordinate with disaster response to ensure best use of resources and appropriate timing for outreach 25

26. 2015 STC Summit Working across divisions Encourage relationships between staff to ensure handoffs occur Cross train throughout the enterprise Build cross-functional teams, whether formally or informally Write handoffs to STC into standard procedures – Disaster response – Major layoffs 26

27. 2015 STC Summit Let’s chat—Questions? 27