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Plan: Louisiana PYs 2016-2017
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. a. 2. I.

Published
Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements
    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II.(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
    • a. State Strategy Implementation
      The Unified or Combined State Plan must include—
      • 2. Implementation of State Strategy
        Describe how the lead State agency with responsibility for the administration of each core program or a Combined Plan partner program included in this plan will implement the State’s Strategies identified in Section II(c). above. This must include a description of—

III. a. 2. I. Coordinating with Economic Development Strategies.

Describe how the activities identified in (A) will be coordinated with economic development entities, strategies and activities in the State.

Current Narrative:

Sector strategy initiatives will be developed in each of the 8 Workforce Regions of the state. LWC has industry coordinators and business consultants currently on staff and assigned to each region. Their primary roles are to engage business and industry to identify short– and long–term workforce needs, and assist local workforce boards (business consultants) and One–Stop Centers (industry coordinators) with developing goals, objectives and strategies to address these needs.

Each Workforce Region has identified at least 3 of the top industries within the region, industries that have the need to fill vacancies in high–demand occupations. Star Jobs (3–5 star jobs) are the targets. These industries are identified through the use of LMI and engagement with local and regional economic development associations.

Business metrics have been created to provide a mechanism in which to measure the effectiveness of services provided to businesses in each local area and region. These metrics include overall market penetration, targeted (top industries) market penetration, employer–based training, staff referral to vacancies in demand occupations (based on 3–5 Star Jobs) and repeat business customers.

Three regions (Alexandria, Shreveport and Monroe) are currently engaged in developing regional sector strategies through a Sector Partnership National Emergency Grant (SP–NEG) the state has received to develop sector strategies and provide employer–based training such as Registered Apprenticeships, on–the–job training and customized training to eligible dislocated workers. Consultants have been engaged to assist with the development of these strategies, which include engaging business and industry, economic development organizations, business associations and others. This is a business–led approach to respond to the needs of employers within specific industries driving the economy of a workforce and/or economic development region of the state. Successful strategies resulting from this effort will be shared and replicated in other workforce and economic regions in Louisiana.

LWC and local areas will also work with Louisiana Economic Development’s Fast Start Program. LED–Fast Start provides quick workforce solutions to businesses in LED’s effort to attract new businesses to the state, or retain existing businesses. Solutions include recruitment and workforce training, working with the state’s community and technical college system to develop curriculum approved by the employer(s) to produce short–term training to job candidates and helping trainees attain the skills necessary to fill jobs quickly. Local One–Stop Centers partner with Fast Start to refer job candidates for short term training, conduct targeted job fairs to connect specific job candidates to specific employers with specific job openings that need to be filled over a specified period of time.