1. Keeping Texas Competitive
Workforce
Development & Libraries
Texas Library Association
April 11, 2014

2. Speakers L.G. Swift, Fort Worth Public Library
Victor De Leon, Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley
Norma Fultz, Rio Grande City Public Library
Don Nuding, LearningExpress, LLC
Gloria Meraz, Texas Library Association

3. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT is
an economic and educational development approach for enhancing economic stability and prosperity by focusing on individuals
essentially a human resources strategy
evolved from a problem-focused approach, addressing issues such as low-skilled workers or the need for more employees in a particular industry, to a holistic approach
considers participants' many barriers, the overall needs of the region, and the potential for success of the emerging pool of workers
(Adapted from Wikipedia – a useful broad definition)

4. Why we should care…
Individual and social stability and progress emanate largely from economic security and education
Both the public and private sectors rely on qualified and effective employees to operate, innovate, and succeed.
As educational institutions, a large part of our mission is to facilitate the achievement of these goals.
Workforce development is of keen interest to our stakeholders – communities, administrators, parents, businesses, employers, decision makers, costumers, and students.

5. Libraries and Workforce Development
From early and family literacy to college and career readiness – From job finding to upward mobility – Libraries of all types are integral in developing an effective and competitive workforce. 5

6. Libraries fulfill economic and educational outcomes by:
Providing programs, technology, educational resources, and services to people of all ages, students in all areas and levels of study, and businesses of all types
Offering professional staff and facilities that allow learners to access services and information, either onsite or remotely.
Partnering with other organizations, businesses, & agencies to broaden opportunities to individuals and business. 6

7. WIN at the library Logos, printed materials Presentations
Resources/website
Survey
Sample media information

8. WIN at the Library
Insert your logo

9. Your Workforce Individual Needs Our Mission
WIN at the Library
Your
Workforce Individual Needs
Our Mission
Insert your logo

10. Libraries & Workforce Workforce development is Libraries support
An economic & educational development approach
Attempts to enhance economic stability and prosperity
Focuses on individuals
Shaped by local needs
Libraries support
Educational and economic achievement
Foster lifelong learning and provide tools for ongoing readiness for opportunity
Focus on individuals
Respond to local needs

11. Libraries fulfill economic and educational outcomes by:
Providing programs, technology, educational resources, and services to people of all ages, students in all areas and levels of study, and businesses of all types
Offering professional staff and facilities that allow learners to access services and information, either onsite or remotely.
Partnering with other organizations, businesses, & agencies to broaden opportunities to individuals and business.

12. Workforce Overview Texas Civilian Labor Force: 12,917,4001
Texas employment: 12,185,1001
= UNEMPLOYMENT in February 2014: 732,3001
Texas Workforce Commission: 122,645 people per month served with employment services2
1. February 2014 numbers, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
2. Number is a monthly average based on TWC’s reported figure of 1,471,741 people (unduplicated) served in 2013.

13. Well-known Workforce Stakeholders
Texas Workforce Commission 28 Local Workforce Solutions Boards Businesses Chambers of Commerce

14. Workforce NEEDS Broad Areas of Focus Literacy Adult Education Civics
Fast Track Programs
Computer Skills
Veterans Services
Support for business training
Logistical Support
Facilities
Fluid hours and access
Additional outreach
Personal assistance to clients in diverse topics
Additional programs

15. Programs & Resources at the library
FREE COMPUTERS & INTERNET ACCESS!
RESOURCES!
SERVICES
Online practice tests for the GED and certifications exams (EMS, civil service, and many others
Tutorials on software programs, like Microsoft Office and others
Job centers
Mobile labs
Digital and print resources
Résumé writing, job searching, and interviewing training Identifying your skills & interests
Literacy
Support for small businesses
Computer skills training
Homework and course support
Professional mentoring

16. Programs & Resources at the library
EXAMPLES!
Laredo Public Library’s Cyber Mobile computer lab – brings the technology to neighborhoods so folks can fill out job applications
North Richland Hills and Harris County Library Small Business Outreach Programs – provide mentoring and specialized course for small business owners
Little Elm Public Library Adult Literacy Program – graduates improved readers and English-language speakers
And literally hundreds of program across the state!

17. Highlight Digital Resources
TexShare
LearningExpress Library

18. LearningExpress Resources – Just ONE of many resources available at the library

19. Professional staff at the library
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE!
Free access to professional library staff to help ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
Help using computers and navigating information sources
Help creating accounts, resumes, filling out forms
SUPPORT

20. The Personal Touch at the library
Crockett County Library
Joseph Adan Valadez is the owner of Rows Field Service, a small business based in Alice, Texas. Mr. Valadez started working in Ozona in early 2011, where his company was helping to locate an electrical transmission line. To perform this work, Mr. Valadez hired approximately 40 local residents. The work could not have progressed without safety training, and the library was the only place in town to provide it. Forty individuals were rotated from their jobs and received the required OSHA training online through the Crockett County library. “If it hadn’t been for that place,” Valadez said, “I would have definitely lost a contract that helped a lot of people out. Because the library was capable of meeting our needs as far as computers and space, 40 local families had incomes they wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
From the State Library’s Return on Investment Study

21. Professional staff at the library
REFERRALS & PARTNERSHIPS!
To and with other agencies that can support you through additional training, services, assistance with government resources, job searches, and access to employers
Joint programming with community organizations

22. Partnerships Existing Partners?
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Solutions
Literacy Texas
Texas public, academic, and school libraries
New Partners?

23. How can we better serve our clients?
Promote services currently offered
Increase capacity (training, trainers, facilities, hours, connections with employers, technology)
Secure additional training resources
Develop and publicize a broader understanding of diverse array of providers and availability of programs and support services
Collaborate on long-term activities and planning
Secure additional support
Work at all levels of career development – from early literary to retraining
Deliver more services to more clients to improve lifelong career success

24. Plan of Action A Framework to Start
What are our greatest areas of need?
What resources do we all bring to the table? Who can do what?
How can stakeholders work together at the local and state level?
What joint programs, activities, and resources can we support?
How do we best track and promote our progress?

25. We can all WIN together!

26. Questions? 26