Narrative: II. b. 1.

Governor Justice understands the vital importance of West Virginia’s employers having a well—trained, workforce—ready labor force. He also is equally aware of the critical need to provide more individuals with the opportunity to be productive members of the state’s labor force and, thereby, to improve the state’s labor participation rate.

As part of this, West Virginia is taking a comprehensive approach to improving its workforce development and training efforts. These efforts are being driven at the highest level by the Commerce Workforce Planning Group led by Commerce Secretary Thrasher. The Workforce Planning Group meets on a monthly basis to discuss workforce issues, outlines potential problems and solutions, and ensures inter—agency collaboration and integration whenever possible.

The Workforce Planning Group serves to align and integrate workforce assistance by supporting training programs provided by key departments such as: Commerce, Health & Human Resources, WorkForce West Virginia, K—12 Education, and Higher Education.

Another key objective of the group has been to restructure or improve the effectiveness of the state’s workforce training and support programs so they meet the needs of the state’s employers —— and new employers. The council also has a separate working group that focuses more on specific issues, obstacles or new policies.

Among the key matters that are the focus of the Governor’s workforce integration efforts are:

• Workforce Program Alignment • Innovative Workforce Preparation/Training Programs and Career Pathways • Growing Entrepreneurship Activities • West Virginia Sector Strategies Project • Governor’s Workforce Readiness Certification • Workforce Outreach • Workforce Transitioning • Grant Coordination and Management • Adult Education • WIOA Planning and Implementation

The workforce programs and initiatives are broad in scope...ranging from ones for elementary and middle school students, to high school and college—level students to workers and displaced workers. However, all of the programs aim to provide resources and opportunities for West Virginians to learn new skills, improve workforce participation and ensure a well—trained workforce ready labor force so the state’s employers can remain competitive and profitable.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Enacted in July 2014, WIOA is the first legislative reform in 15 years of the nation’s public workforce system. West Virginia is well positioned to benefit early from the Act’s provisions given that the state has been implementing key provisions, including: 1. Formation of the Workforce Planning Group; 2. Alignment of unified strategic planning across “core” programs, which include Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth programs; Adult Education and Literacy programs; the Wagner—Peyser Employment Service; and Title I of the Rehabilitation Act programs, and; 3. Implementation of a business—led statewide sector strategy project that includes state/local workforce boards and community colleges. The law is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

WIOA also will emphasize engaging employers across the workforce system to align training with needed skills and match employers with qualified workers. The Act adds flexibility at the local level to provide incumbent worker training and transitional jobs as allowable activities and promotes work—based training, for example by increasing on—the—job training reimbursement rates to 75 percent. The law also emphasizes training that leads to industry—recognized post—secondary credentials.

• Simulated Workplace: This is an innovative, new statewide educational initiative that is restructuring the state’s career—technical schools and implementing workplace and business learning protocols that align with general requirements and expectations of West Virginia’s workplace, including teamwork, random drug testing, professionalism, attendance and safety. The education of the students in done in a business environment where the students manage the enterprise, review performance, collaborate on the objectives and develop work—ready skills and aptitudes (punctuality, attendance, teamwork, effective communications, etc.) All career—tech schools will have Simulated Workplace programs starting in the fall of 2016. • Workforce Readiness Certification: The state Department of Education and the Secretary's Workforce Planning Group have continued the workforce readiness certificate program that will be available to high school graduates (and adults) so they can obtain this new certification as a way to better prepare and position themselves for employment. • Learn and Earn Program Initiative: The Learn and Earn Program, which operates through the Community & Technical College Chancellor’s office, provides students opportunities for paid cooperative educational experiences in high—demand fields. Students enrolled in applied technology programs attend school while earning valuable on—the—job training and a living wage at partner businesses. Students must be paid no less than $10 per hour. The employer provides 50 percent of the students’ wage, with the Chancellor’s office providing a 50 percent match. Currently, there are cooperative opportunities for students at Toyota, Gestamp, DuPont, Kureha, NGK, Union Carbide (Dow), ATS and Bob’s Market in agriculture. The Chancellor’s office actively seeks opportunities to expand this program. • Let’s Train: A WorkForce West Virginia program that provides on—the—job paid training in high—demand fields such as oil & gas, health care, wood products manufacturing, construction and administrative services. The program is open to individuals who have been unemployed for more than 6 months, or are at risk of exhausting unemployment benefits. • Minority Affairs: The state’s Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs has been promoting its annual Minority Business Expo. Last year’s event, held in Charleston in October, attracted 68 businesses, 300 attendees and students from seven schools. Three of four business owners walked away from the Expo with contracts.

West Virginia’s 2015 Sector Partnership (SP) NDWG ($5.2 million): A grant partnership between WorkForce West Virginia and the Community Technical College System of West Virginia (CTCS) to build upon current sector—driven efforts in West Virginia. This grant will focus on Energy, Manufacturing, Health Care and IT industry sectors. The target population to be served through this grant is long—term unemployed individuals and those individuals likely to exhaust unemployment benefits. The purpose of this grant is to provide innovative services to the unemployed coal mining industry community and individuals dislocated from industries related to and affected by continued mining layoffs.

Adult: Aligning New C&TC Programs with Workforce

Opportunities West Virginia Sector Strategy Project

Thanks to two major grants from the U.S. Department of Labor (TAACCT Grant — Bridging the Gap), our state administration is implementing a statewide business sector evaluation and development of a comprehensive strategy to address the regional workforce skill needs for the state’s economy. This involves a number of planning meetings with local businesses, community and technical colleges, public education and employers so training and workforce preparedness programs will: • Integrate and align, • Meet employers’ (large and small) needs, • Maximize economic opportunities that are currently taking place across the state and • Address each region’s unique workforce challenges/needs.

The goal will be to establish and implement workforce—business sector strategies in West Virginia through a regional system that will address the current and emerging skills gaps in the economy.

The state’s Community & Technical College System continues to implement a number of major new programs to develop skilled workers who can take advantage of quality job opportunities that are available due to recent business and economic development activities. These include: • Manufacturing —— Learn and Earn Program Initiative • Oil and Gas Education and Training Initiatives • Dislocated Coal Miner Training Initiative • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) SPACES Grant • Construction Management Certificate

Adult: Career & Technical Education (WVDE — CTE) & Industry Credential Certificate Programs

Adult students in West Virginia have the opportunity to complete industry credentialed certificate programs at career and technical schools across the state. The adult CTE programs are offered at the public career and technical centers throughout the state and aligned with the West Virginia Department of Education CTE curriculum. Adults can enroll in secondary programs if space is available at no cost or in stand—alone adult programs that are nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) for financial aid access to those who qualify. Approximately 2,500 adults graduate annually from these programs with technical skills and credentials. • Health • Architecture and Construction • Transportation • Human Services • Information Technology

Adult: Veterans

Inventoried existing Veterans workforce training and education programs available in West Virginia provided strong support for tuition assistance (Veteran’s Re—Education Act Fund, Veterans Upward Bound, etc.) and educational support programs for veterans, particularly for those who have exhausted the GI Bill and need a new vocation due to dislocation or unemployment. Special emphasis also was placed on programs to facilitate re—employment of returning active duty and reserve personnel. Adult: Transitioning From Welfare Assistance to Self—Sustainability West Virginia Works — Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF): The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is implementing changes to the state’s temporary assistance benefits program (West Virginia Works) for families in need. The changes by the department are designed to reform this welfare program and restructure programs so they focus much more on incentivizing and transitioning these families into greater employment outcomes and, ultimately, self—sufficiency achievement. The best long—term outcome for everyone is if we align the direct assistance to these families so they can prepare themselves to realize the benefits of a job and a stable paycheck. A TANF educational assistance pilot project was recently announced at Southern WV Community & Technical College.

Juvenile Justice Reform has been spearheaded by the West Virginia Intergovernmental Task Force on Juvenile Justice that in 2014 conducted a comprehensive, data—driven study of the state’s juvenile justice system. The analysis showed that the vast majority of youth removed from their homes and placed in state facilities are lower—level offender —— such as “status” offenses —— behavior that would not even be considered a crime if committed by adults. Not only is this costly, but also has the potential to undermine these youths from becoming future workers and productive members of society. Many of the task force’s recommendations were enacted into law in early 2015.

Offender Reentry Initiative

The Offender Reentry Initiative addresses prisoners’ health, mental health, job skills, education, substance abuse and other issues. The goal is to help prisoners succeed when they are released.

Title IV, Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Under Title IV, the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) provides services that help allow individuals with disabilities to avail themselves of work—based learning (work—based training, and on the job training). Title IV emphasizes the need to provide pre—employment transition services (PETS) for students with disabilities prior to their exiting the school system. Additionally, the new federal act emphasizes creating employer engagement within the community by creating work—based learning experiences for individuals, thus allowing employers to be matched with skilled workers.

Again, the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services is already providing services that will allow individuals with disabilities to avail themselves of work—based learning. We partner with employers to provide work—based training, and on the job training. This training is provided across all sectors of employment and ensures job—driven training rather than erroneous skills training.

Other: • Development of apprenticeship training programs • Alignment and expansion of entrepreneurship/start—up ventures • Promotion of youth entrepreneurship in our school system