Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports 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—
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
- a. State Strategy Implementation
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 most of the state’s educational systems, including the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, the Board of Regents of Higher Education and the superintendent of education (K-12).
As stated in Section II (C), Louisiana has developed a shared definition and framework for Career Pathways as a method 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 have continuously organized resources (staff, supports, etc.) around target job-seeker populations and business development using a 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 planning cooperatively through Perkins V and WIOA planning to provide workforce skills training and integrated work-based training to meet regional employer and economic development needs. State partners will continue to work with local and regional workforce development boards and partners to define and build pathways appropriate to the region.
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. Since the inception and implementation of Star Jobs ratings, this ranking system has been utilized by educators across Louisiana at all levels.