Narrative: III. a. 2. D.

The state workforce development board is business—driven and provides much needed input into the direction of workforce programs. Falling directly in line are the local workforce development boards which are also business—driven but at the local level. The state board will implement a model to standardize the delivery of products and services to businesses. Regional business service teams will be developed to coordinate needs and provide contacts to local employers. The State realizes the importance of capacity building that supports the service to provide timely solutions and connections to available resources to meet business needs. Collected information can be tracked and shared on the statewide data system to minimize duplication.

On the Job Training (OJT) providers throughout the state will also be contacting employers and advising them of the services provided through the workforce system.

WorkForce West Virginia is a one—stop center for workforce resources, including the state’s largest online database of job seekers, assistance with worker training, and unemployment processing.

Employers can post job listings, search for qualified employees, analyze labor market information, and locate business services.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will continue to provide leadership for accessibility standards, disability talent recruitment, and accessibility issues.

West Virginia Adult Education will work with the education system to support and develop career pathways identified by employers and the workforce system. This support will be provided by developing and implementing bridge and pre—bridge programs as part of the Moving Pathways Forward imitative. During program year 2013—2014 the West Virginia Adult Education Program applied for and was selected to take part in the multi—year Moving Pathways Forward Project. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE). West Virginia will be one of fourteen states to be provided with technical assistance in the development of state and local career pathways systems that will assist youth and adults to achieve success in postsecondary education training and employment in high—growth and high demand occupations.

As part of this initiative, Adult Education will be partnering with several community colleges and approved secondary Career and Technical Education programs to develop micro—credentials that demonstrate measurable skill gains and are part of a clearly defined career pathway for individuals with barriers to employment. Because the community colleges are Perkins postsecondary recipients, the model developed by these community colleges will serve as a model that can be replicated by all of the Perkins postsecondary recipients across the state.

In collaboration with WVDE Adult Education, providers of adult career and technical education (CTE) programs of study are working to align industry credentials to high—demand occupations in career pathways projects. Adult career and technical programs make appropriate credentials and micro— credentials available through end—of—program assessment.

Our goal is to strengthen West Virginia’s business climate by supporting employers and helping job seekers gain employment, remain employed, and advance in their careers.

Career Technical Education (CTE) Program Advisory Councils and Clinical Sites

All WVDE CTE programs at each school must have an advisory council in compliance with the federal Perkins Act. The majority of members must represent business/industry to identify local labor market demand, program curriculum and certification needs, and guide program improvements. Advisory employers also provided onsite clinical experiences for high school CTE students enrolled in health therapeutics and adult CTE students in Practical Nursing programs.

CTE Simulated Workplaces http://wvde.state.wv.us/simulated—workplace/partners.php

Business and industry representatives inspect Simulated Workplace classrooms to ensure alignment with the industry needs. These representatives evaluate the career technical education program facilities, safety, equipment, space, tools, supplies, technology, professional skills, customer service, and teaching materials using a scorecard. Results are communicated to the administrators and teachers. The business inspector scorecard is located on http://wvde.state.wv.us/simulated— workplace/biz—assist.php

Learn and Earn

With the learn and earn program, the community and technical colleges have a 50/50 partnership with employers where the students actually work on—site 50% of their time and spend the other 50% in a classroom setting.

Business Surveys

West Virginia plans to design and conduct business surveys in order to gather information on business needs. West Virginia aims to make the statewide business survey a regular exercise in order to ensure that service and workforce training is relevant and responsive to the needs of the business community.

Consumers of One—Stop Centers, including those with disabilities, frequently require additional training in order to meet employer needs and reach their employment goal. Often, this training is provided by community colleges and vocational/technical training schools located throughout the state. West Virginia’s community and technical colleges have an excellent track record of training individuals to have the skills that employers need to fill high quality jobs.

Through its employer partnership programs, West Virginia’s community and technical colleges can provide the training an individual needs while leveraging a company’s training dollars to maximize worker productivity. West Virginia’s community and technical colleges deliver training to hundreds of employers across the state. West Virginia’s community and technical colleges can provide customized training, skill enhancements, certificate, and associate degree programs. A sample of programs (from http://www.wvctcs.org/ images/PDF Brochures/Workforce.pdf) can be found below.

Employer Partnership Programs Learn and Earn

Provides students in high—demand applied technology programs with paid cooperative (co—op) educational experiences:

• 50/50 employer & CTC matching contribution • Co—op experience must pay no less than $10/hr. • Employer gains a highly—qualified employee and a future skilled labor pool • Students earn valuable on—the—job training and a living wage while attending school

Tech Scholars Program

• Provides scholarships to students who enroll in high—demand, applied technology programs • 50/50 employer & CTC matching contribution • Must lead to a Certificate of Applied Science (CAS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) • Employer benefits by investing in a skilled workforce • Students gain much—needed financial assistance while attending school

WV Advance Grant

• A rapid—response grant for CTCs to help employers meet an immediate training need. • Training can include skills upgrades, customized training, or pre—employment training

HB 3009 Workforce Development Grant. • A grant program to help CTCs deliver training to business and industry • Company cash—match is required • Business and CTC collaboration in training delivery

Programs like these bring together employers, job seekers, and WIOA partner agencies. By identifying the needs of employers and sharing resources to train individuals, the state as a whole benefits from the West Virginia WDS. Community colleges and technical schools have a unique ability to specialize programs across the state depending on the demands of the local economy, including the needs of employers and job seekers. For example, in 2015, Proctor and Gamble announced a large production facility to be built in West Virginia; the facility will provide up to 700 jobs.

As described, the West Virginia WDS benefits greatly from its partnership with community colleges and technical schools. This partnership has enhanced access to WDS services and allowed more individuals and employers to reach their goals.