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Plan: Louisiana PYs 2016-2017
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. a. 2. E.

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. E. Partner Engagement with Educational Institutions

Describe how the State’s Strategies will engage the State’s community colleges and area career and technical education schools, as partners in the workforce development system to create a job-driven education and training system. WIOA section 102(b)(2)(B)(iv).

Current Narrative:

Higher education is not a mandated partner in WIOA, however, the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council membership consists of the state leadership of all of the state’s educational institutions, including the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, the Board of Regents of Higher Education and the superintendent of education (K–12). Additionally, these cabinet members along with the executive directors of the Louisiana Workforce Commission and Louisiana Economic Development comprise the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. The Workforce Cabinet provides policy leadership, guidance and support for the innovation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Working Group. The Louisiana Career Pathways working group, comprised of representatives of each of the Workforce Cabinet partners, has led the Louisiana Career Pathways planning process.

As stated in Section II (C), Louisiana has developed a shared definition and framework for Career Pathways as the model for the alignment of education, training and work–based learning (apprenticeships, internships) and support services that enable individuals and students to be better prepared to achieve economic independence and family stability. The WIOA partners are embarking on a new concept to organize resources (staff, supports, etc.) around target job–seeker populations and business development using a “pathway” model that will encourage separate agencies to wrap resources, staff and supports around the customer base.

As referenced in Section II (C) Regional Business and Sector Strategies, the educational partners, particularly the Louisiana Community and Technical College System institutions, are key partners in the regional and sector strategies, providing workforce skill training and integrated work–based training to meet regional employer and economic development needs. State partners will work with local and regional workforce development boards and partners to define and build pathways appropriate to the region.

Championed by the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, with the support of LMI and Occupational Forecasting Conference, the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Star Jobs ratings system was developed. The Star Jobs ratings system provides a ranking of the highest–demand, highest–wage jobs in Louisiana, based on factors such as forecasted employment growth (long–term and short–term), jobs available in the previous year, and wages. Star Jobs ratings are developed and dynamically updated in collaboration with leading Louisiana academic, economic development, workforce development and industry experts. Since the inception and implementation of Star Jobs ratings, this ranking system has been utilized by educators across Louisiana at all levels. Below are a few examples:

• The Louisiana Board of Regents incorporates the Star Jobs ratings as part of its cost formula, upon which the funding formula distribution is based.

• The Louisiana Community and Technical College System uses Star Jobs ratings to guide decisions about program eliminations, modifications and additions, to direct its federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education funds to grant applications that will increase the supply of high–wage jobs that meet projected state workforce needs and to direct the Workforce Training Rapid Response Grant Program.

• The Department of Education indicates the Star Job rankings related to all Jump Start industry credentials, enabling school counselors to guide students to careers that promise both interesting work and well–compensated career opportunities aligned with their interests and capabilities.