1. I’m a Workforce Board Member. Now, What Do I Do?
David Hollars
Centralina Workforce Development Board
December 12, 2017

2. The Biggest Threat “The biggest threat to our
economic survival is the lack
of a skilled workforce”
Tony Zeiss
Former President - Central Piedmont Community College

3. A Sense of Urgency
“States and communities across the country are looking for ways to compete for economic growth and good jobs. Developing a skilled, high quality workforce has become an important strategy in state and local economic development efforts.’
‘Because there is a sense of urgency to deal with a host of workforce development challenges and needs...state and local workforce boards are evolving into a pivotal role: organizing comprehensive responses to these challenges.”
NAWB Visionary Leadership and Planning Guide

4. The WIOA Vision
The needs of business and workers drive workforce solutions
One-stops provide excellent customer service to jobseekers and employers and focus on continuous improvement
The workforce system supports strong regional economies and plays an active role in community and workforce development

5. Board Expectations The Governing Principles
Programs and services are integrated through a unified delivery system, the One-Stop
Boards focus on strategy, not just compliance
support for sector strategies and career pathways
Boards align their work to regional economic development strategies and board strategic plans are unified across a region

6. Roles for Workforce Boards
Stewardship Requirements
(How the Government will measure your success)
Oversight of WIOA Title I Funds
Operation/Oversight of One-Stops (NCWorks Career Centers)
Leadership Requirements
(How your Community will measure your success)
Strategic Planning
Partnerships
Leveraging of Resources
Quality of the Workforce as a Driver of Economic Development
Defined System-Wide Outcomes and Perceived Quality Improvement in the System over Time

7. Expertise Need By Workforce Boards
The Board membership comes with the expertise necessary to define and drive a workforce agenda.
Be familiar with federal and state requirements, but do not allow them to drive the Board or its strategic agenda.
The Board’s strategic vision and planning should drive stewardship and governance; the rules and regulations should be secondary
The workforce system needs the benefit of learning from the Board membership – not the other way around.

8. Successful Workforce Development Boards Have…
A Clear Vision
A Focus on Priority Issues
Priority issues should align with those of the chief elected officials and help define the local area’s economic development strategy.
Defined Expectations for themselves and the local workforce system
Staff with the Capacity to Support the Board’s Work
Strong Strategic Partnerships
CEO Level Agendas
A Strong Sense of Accountability

9. Lessons Learned Parallel systems are economically unsustainable.
Workforce Boards must be flexible, but remain true to their core vision
Workforce Boards should drive the system, not the other way around
Workforce Boards have more power than they often realize
Leverage it at home.
Leverage it in Raleigh and Washington.

10. The Board
Description and Expectations

11. Key Assumptions About Boards
Board is an organization -- not just volunteers
Boards have major role in system
Board = board + staff
Board -- credibility and policy
Board staff -- most of the day-to-day work

12. The Foundation Strong leadership Strong committees
Clarity of form - full board meetings vs. committees
Strong staffing

13. Role of the Board and Its Members

14. Why Boards Exist “One fundamental reason for a workforce
board to exist is to identify and facilitate the management of workforce issues, and to convene the relevant organizations and individuals...to address them”

15. Workforce Development is Not a Social Service Experiment But Instead an Investment in the Country’s Future
“People involved in this work need to start thinking like investors who look at long-term outcomes, rather than like lenders who look at short-term risks” Patrick Harker, Chief Executive – Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

16. THE BOARD Policy centered
Driven by a strategic vision for local and regional issues
Forms committees for board work
Acts as advocate for workforce development issues
Acts as accountability and change agent
Internal and external

17. BOARD MEMBERS Attend board/committee meetings Act as agents for change
Provide community input
Work on committees
Prepare to discuss issues
Recommend/provide solutions to issues

18. COMMITTEES Drives Goals and Work Plans Product of strategic plan goals
Reviewed quarterly and annually
Fully empowered by the board
Maintains alignment with strategic plan
Come together at the executive committee

19. BOARD CHAIR Runs board and executive committee meetings
Sets the agenda with support of the director
Develops and articulates the region’s workforce development vision and mission
Builds relationships with all critical stakeholders
Represents the board to the state board
Builds consensus for workforce policy
Holds agencies and committees accountable for success
Directs board staff’s daily activities

20. DIRECTOR Full time support to the board’s agenda
Helps the Chair prepare the board’s meeting agenda
Staffs the committees’ work
Represents the board to the community and stakeholders in absence of board meetings
Prepares the board budget for approval
Provides for evaluation of service providers

21. Tips for New Workforce Board Members
1. Study the Economy 2. Meet the Customers 3. Find out about Education and Training 4. Learn the Law 5. Get to Know the Staff and Service Providers 6. Study the Performance Numbers 7. Promote Staff and Board Training 8. Use your Networks 9. Practice Patience and Promote Success 10. Remember the Taxpayer

22. Final Thought
“There is nothing more vital to a community than that of providing employment opportunities for its citizens. Employment not only has an economic impact on communities, but also has a direct relationship with the quality of life within the community.”

23. Thank You!!
Want to Know More… David Hollars, Executive Director Centralina Workforce Development Board (704)