Narrative: II. a. 2.

A. The State’s Workforce Development Activities

Provide an analysis of the State’s workforce development activities, including education and training activities of the core programs, Combined State Plan partner programs included in this plan, and required ⁶ and optional one-stop delivery system partners.⁷

The State of West Virginia is comprised of seven local workforce development areas. A minimum of one comprehensive American Job Center of West Virginia (AJCWV) is located in each area.

• Region 1: The Region 1 Workforce Development Board, headquartered in Beckley, administers workforce activities in an eleven-county region covering the southeastern portion of the State.
• Region 2: The Southwestern West Virginia Workforce Development Board, located in Huntington, governs a seven-county region in the southwestern portion of the State.
• Region 3: The Workforce Development Board of Kanawha County oversees activities in the State’s only single-county workforce development region from its office in Charleston.
• Region 4: Nine counties are served by the Workforce Development Board Mid-Ohio Valley, which is located in Parkersburg.
• Region 5: The Northern Panhandle Workforce Development Board provides services in six counties and is based in Wheeling.
• Region 6: The Region 6 Workforce Development Board, located in Fairmont, provides services in a thirteen-county region in the north-central portion of the State.
• Region 7: Eight counties in the easternmost portion of West Virginia are served by the Region 7 Workforce Development Board located in Moorefield.

All core programs are participating either by physical presence or part of a shared electronic referral system. Further, required partners participating include:

• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)-Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) helps people who became unemployed due to layoffs as a result of foreign imports or a shift of production out of the United States. TAA eligible workers are provided services and training to assist them in returning to the workforce. Services and training provided ensure that TAA recipients have the skills needed to find reemployment within the industry they were laid off from or to enter a new industry where employment opportunities exist.
• WIOA Title I Adult-The Adult program serves participants age 18 or older in need of employment or career advancement, with priority of service given to participants deemed to be recipients of public assistance, other low-income individuals, and individuals who are basic skills deficient. If a participant is also an eligible Veteran or spouse of a Veteran, the priority of service will be extended to the covered person. Individuals deemed ready for work are provided career services to assist them in finding existing employment opportunities. Individuals not ready for employment or looking for employment in a new field are provided training to prepare them with the skills necessary to meet the needs of employers.
• WIOA Title I Dislocated Worker-The Dislocated Worker program assists workers before or after a layoff to help facilitate rapid reemployment. Dislocated Workers with requisite skills may be directly referred to employers with hiring needs. Other Dislocated Workers may require training and other services to meet the skill requirements of employers.
• WIOA Title I Youth-The Youth program serves eligible youth and young adults through high-quality case management support toward educational attainment that includes career guidance and exploration, the provision of summer and/or year-round work experience opportunities such as internships and pre-apprenticeships, and skills training along a career pathway for in-demand industries and occupations, along with any necessary supportive services. The attainment of education, skills, and work experience can make youth participants more attractive candidates for employers to hire.
• WIOA Title II Adult Education-Adult Education is a critical partner in establishing career pathways for adults who lack basic skills.  Funded programs provide a full range of Adult Education services from beginning level literacy through high adult secondary and transition activities to support college and career readiness, including English language acquisition activities if needed.  Programs provide basic skills instruction in the context of work readiness, incorporate workplace preparation activities, and career awareness and planning in instruction and services. Adult Education program administrators and other staff develop relationships and partnerships at the local level to support alignment of Adult Education services with the services of the other programs and workforce development system partners to include working with local Business Service Teams (BSTs).  Funded programs provide integrated education and training whenever possible and appropriate.  Integrated education and training require three components offered concurrently and contextualized to an occupation or occupational cluster: Adult Education, workforce preparation, and workforce training.  Integrated education and training activities will be aligned with local workforce needs, prepare students for realistic, existing employment opportunities, and be developed in consultation with LWDBs, employers, and training providers.
• WIOA Title III Wagner-Peyser-Wagner-Peyser staff provides employment services to both job seekers and employers with the goal of placing individuals in employment and helping employers recruit workers.
• WIOA Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation-The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) helps people with disabilities establish and reach their vocational goals. The primary goal for all DRS clients is to become productive working citizens.   DRS has specially trained rehabilitation counselors who assist clients with evaluating their skills and interests to obtain vocational success. Rehabilitation counselors work one-on-one with clients to develop a plan for employment that is based on their interests, needs and abilities.
• Jobs for Veterans Grant (LVER/DVOP)-Through the JVSG program, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists assist veterans with significant barriers to employment including homelessness, previously incarcerated, and low-income status. Another element of the program is carried out by Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) who meet with employers, plan and participate in job and career fairs, and conduct job development with employers on behalf of job-ready veterans. LVERs work with the BSTs in promoting qualified veterans to employers seeking candidates. 
• Job Corps-Job Corps is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job. For eligible young people at least 16 years of age that qualify as low income, Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life.
• Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)- To provide resources and support for a community of partners working to improve the lives of West Virginians.  Community Services Block Grant is a federal anti-poverty program administered by the Community Advancement and Development office. The purpose in West Virginia is to aid a network of 16 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and other statewide organizations in the reduction of poverty, revitalization of low-income communities, and to provide economic opportunities for low-income families.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)- The TANF program provides temporary financial assistance to low income families. While receiving TANF benefits, recipients will look for employment to try and achieve self-sufficiency.
• National Farmworker Jobs Program-The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) provides eligible farmworkers and their dependents with the means to reach self-sufficiency through better employment.
• Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP)- The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community service and work-based training program for persons age 55 or older with limited incomes. The SCSEP program is a grant funded program that has a two-fold approach: 1. Helping the communities that they are in, 2. Providing eligible seniors with hands on training experience that will be needed to eventually obtain employment
• Unemployment Compensation-Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own that meet West Virginia's eligibility requirements. 
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination, and transform the way HUD does business.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE)-Career Technical Education (CTE) programs are changing, evolving and innovating to better serve West Virginia's needs by preparing students to help drive our success and vitality. Further, CTE is creating an educational environment that integrates core academics with real-world relevance. CTE is transforming expectations and making a difference for students, for businesses and industry, for West Virginia and for the global community.
• Indian & Native American Programs-Our purpose is to reduce unemployment among American Indians, traditionally the least serviced and poorest group in the United States.
• Youthbuild-At YouthBuild programs in the United States and across the globe, low-income young people learn construction skills to help build affordable housing and other community assets such as community centers and schools.

The Interagency Collaborative Team (ICT) was established under the state Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to ensure coordination between the agencies engaged in workforce development activities, the Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs), and WorkForce West Virginia (WFWV).  ICT serves as a forum for the LWDBs to seek information or recommendations to fulfill their responsibilities. WFWV convenes the team at least monthly to provide administrative assistance, information, and other services.

Customers entering the Workforce Development System (WDS) through any of the core partner’s services will be provided a common intake process that will allow all of the partners to access information and provide referrals. WFWV often serves as the entryway into the WDS. As the provider of unemployment services and Wagner-Peyser services, WFWV is uniquely poised to welcome customers into the WDS via the AJCWV service delivery model and provide comprehensive and targeted referrals to the other core partners.

Customers receive career services through core partners within the WDS. If the customer is deemed to be ready for gainful employment after receiving career services, WFWV staff assists the customer with job search and placement. If the customer is deemed to need training services, WFWV staff refers the customer to the other core partners based on the needs of the customer. Training services are provided to the customer through WFWV, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), and/or Adult Education Services (Adult Education).

With integration of service delivery, it is anticipated that more WIOA customers will access core partner services. Core partners have gathered data about the current strategies and resources devoted to basic skills development; researched the current and projected need; learned about promising practices for system redesign; and engaged diverse stakeholders in conversations about improving adult learning opportunities and results.

The WIOA core partners work, in tandem, on many workforce development activities. The partners all have memorandums of understanding (MOU) at the state and regional levels and also collaborate on specific projects at local levels. WFWV, DRS, and Adult Education collaborate in all workforce development regions as part of WIOA AJCWV Management Partner meetings with local development groups to better identify and facilitate needed services for the local area.

Strategic Planning in Occupational Knowledge for Employment and Success (SPOKES) is a robust partnership between Adult Education and DHHR. DRS works within this partnership to increase efforts to reach potential Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) consumers being served by Adult Education and the SPOKES program.

The State understands the importance of having a recognized postsecondary degree from the perspectives of both employers and job seekers. The core partners have always strived for quality, career-based employment outcomes for its consumers, when appropriate. A wide range of education and training paths are offered by the partners. DRS for example, offers individuals with disabilities opportunities to prepare them for the West Virginia (WV) economy. Pre-employment transition services, including job exploration counseling; work-based learning experiences; counseling on post-secondary enrollment opportunities; workplace readiness training; and instruction in self-advocacy, are provided to students with disabilities (ages 14-21) who need assistance in finding a career path that matches their interests and abilities. Once a career path has been selected, post-secondary education and training programs are made available with DRS funds to help individuals get the specialized college, apprenticeship, or employment supports they need to be successful in the workplace.

In the Labor Market Information (LMI) analysis section of this plan, the subsection on education presents occupational projections by both level of education and by training through 2026, as well as poverty rate, median earnings, employment status, and turnover rate by education level. Compared with the United States, WV has a much lower percentage of the population aged 25 and older with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. WV ranks last in this category at 19.9 percent, with the national rate of 30.9 percent.

Communication skills, such as Active Listening, and Speaking, along with other skills such as Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, and Reading Comprehension are projected to be in the highest demand throughout the decade.  It is imperative for the vast majority of the State’s workforce to continuously upgrade, expand, and improve their existing job skills to remain competitive as technology becomes even more entrenched in the workplace environment over the coming years.

Given the low level of formal education in the state, WV will concentrate on training for “middle skill” occupations that require additional training or education beyond high school, but not a four-year college degree. This graduated approach will target certifications, and 12 to 24-month programs in highly transferrable technical skills.

This approach will allow the state to meet workers “where they are” in their skill sets and build on that base. One example of this approach is the partnership with education on the National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) to train coal miners impacted with mass dislocation.

The State will encourage LWDBs to engage in partnerships with local educational entities, businesses, community-based organizations, etc. in order to communicate the benefits of technical training and the development of robust and comprehensive career pathways models.

WFWV partners with Adult Education, CTEs, and the Community and Technical College System (CTCS) to develop and promote streamlined training courses for individuals who already possess some transferable skills. These streamlined programs will have multiple points of entry and lead to nationally recognized credentials in technical occupations and will allow individuals to enter the workforce more quickly.

WFWV promotes technical training through our website and through activities such as workshops, job fairs, rapid response activities, youth programs, social media, informational meetings, etc. We support efforts to better understand the connections between technology-based economic development and education and skills development for existing workers.

B. The Strengths and Weaknesses of Workforce Development Activities

Provide an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the workforce development activities identified in (A), directly above.

WV’s WDS partners are historically successful in serving customers and putting its populace to work. These alliances can be amplified at the state and local level to identify and overcome any areas of weakness that emerge. The strength of WV’s WDS is demonstrated by the relationships already formed through the ICT and the identified prospects for coordinated service delivery.

WV’s MACC system provides a powerful tool to assist the workforce development system with the coordination of service delivery. The MACC is an integrated case management, referral, and federal reporting system that supports WIOA, Wagner-Peyser, TAA, Veteran Employment and Training Services (VETS), NDWG, and Rapid Response programs. The MACC’s capacity to support integrated case management, data sharing, and reporting, allows career planners to see the full range of services participants have received from any covered program.

WV's CTCS offers grants and programs that link companies with colleges. Whether it's customized training, skill enhancements, certificate or associate degree programs, if a company needs education or training to get the right workforce-WV's CTCS is prepared to deliver.

Learn & Earn

This program is the leading workforce development, economic development, and educational partnership in the Mountain State. Learn & Earn connects employers with students through colleges, allowing students to take technical courses while gaining paid work experiences. The student pay is shared by the company and the college, and students receive at least $10 per hour to work in the field they are studying.

• 1-year or 2-year degree programs
• Co-op experience must pay no less than $10/hour
• Employer gains a highly qualified employee and a future skilled labor pool
• Students earn valuable OJT while attending school
• 50/50 employer & college matching reimbursement
   

Rapid Response Advance Grant

This grant is awarded to colleges to partner with industries on projects that address the state's workforce needs - including pre-employment programs, pre-preparation programs, skills upgrades, new and expanding companies, and job retention.

Tech Program Development

This program supports the creation and development of technical programs that are in high demand, lead to high-wage careers, and enhance economic development efforts across the Mountain State. Eligible programs must target high-demand occupations that will result in wages averaging at least $12 per hour with benefits.

Tech Scholars Program

This program provides scholarships to students who enroll in high-demand, applied technology programs.

50/50 employer & community college 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’s WDS partners have discovered that overlaps and duplication of efforts are warranted. That overlap and duplication is contributed to focused eligibility requirements for some program and open enrollment to others. To illustrate, DRS has identified a weakness. The issue is a lack of human resources caused, in part, by vacant positions and increased retirements. DRS is currently under an Order of Selection (OOS) and has closed OOS Categories2, 3 and 4; these individuals may still apply for services and be placed on a waitlist. While Rehabilitation Services is unable to serve these individuals, referrals will be made, as appropriate, to WFWV and Adult Education for services. If additional resources become available, DRS may serve individuals from the waitlist. The system is complex and takes a coordinated effort among all program partners to develop a skilled workforce able to meet the diverse demands of business and industry.

WV’s WDS partners agree to sustain an integrated comprehensive workforce development system for the delivery and information sharing of the core partner program services. The creation of this system will ensure universal access by all customers by providing a program that is uniform, consistent and responsive to the job seeker and employer communities. The system will encourage cross-training of mandated partners to ensure true integration of the core programs within the system. As a result, programs will remain flexible; yet, they will be expandable in the AJCWV. Through input from customers and core partners, the program will promote continuous improvement.

Collaboration, coordination, and constant reexamination by partners will ensure continuous improvement of how the system serves customers. Working together to overcome identified issues such as accessibility of network computer systems, better alignment of efforts and policies, community visibility and infrastructure costs will be key to stay ahead of the ever-changing economy and the diverse needs of workers and employers.

C. State Workforce Development Capacity

Provide an analysis of the capacity of State entities to provide the workforce development activities identified in (A), above.

The WDS is comprised of three primary entities: WFWV, DRS, and Adult Education. The WDS provides career and training services statewide to over 100,000 West Virginians each year. In Program Year (PY) 2018 (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019), WFWV served 98,162 individuals, while Adult Education enrolls approximately 12,000 students annually. DRS served 8,191 individuals with disabilities during Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 (October 1, 2018-September 30, 2019). The WDS assists participants in gaining employment by virtue of resourceful and committed personnel, statewide coverage via a plethora of convenient locations, a wide variety of services, and continuing relationships with businesses.

Personnel

The WDS employs a number of professional staff throughout the state to fulfill its mission to put West Virginians to work by providing career and training services to the various participants in the labor market.

WFWV employs 299 permanent employees and 82 temporary employees statewide. Staffing includes the positions of Employment Program Interviewers, Veterans Representatives, Unemployment Insurance (UI) Deputy’s, Administrative/Supervisory staff, and Support Staff of various job categories. The AJCs provide work force resources, including job opportunities, unemployment compensation, training, tax incentives, veteran’s services and labor market information. WFWV staff play a vital role in providing services at 18 AJCs located strategically throughout the state. WFWV services are available to claimants, job seekers, and employers using the largest online database of job seekers and job openings in the state.

Adult Education employs approximately 120 full/part-time instructors to provide educational services to adult learners in the State. Over 55 percent of the Adult Education instructors have more than three years of teaching experience. Adult Education employs six Regional Coordinators around the state to provide technical assistance to program administrators and instructors in the areas of student retention, professional development, data management, partnership development, curriculum, and instruction.

DRS employs 80 rehabilitation counselors statewide currently serving approximately 8,100 individuals with disabilities. DRS anticipates serving a projected 6,466 individuals in FY 2021. DRS also has, as part of its 80 rehabilitation counselors, a subset of 59 counselors assigned to high schools throughout the State to provide pre-employment transition services, as well as other services, to students with disabilities. Additionally, DRS has nine Employment Specialists throughout the State maintaining relationships with businesses, providing job placement and job development services, and acquiring labor market information.

Locations

WV’s WDS provides convenient coverage for all 55 counties of the State. Workforce development services are provided from over 100 locations, with higher concentrations in more densely populated areas.

WFWV consists of seven geographic regions, with each having at least one comprehensive AJC, at minimum. In total, the seven regions hold 10 comprehensive centers, 5 satellite centers and 17 affiliate sites throughout the State. One of the goals of the AJCWV is to offer job seekers and employers ready access to the many workforce development resources available in a local region.

Adult Education programs are established in all 55 counties in WV with some counties having multiple locations. There are approximately 100 class locations statewide. Programs are located in various sites such as Adult Learning Centers, Career Technical Centers, Community College Campuses, Libraries, Community-based Organizations, Workforce Centers, and Correctional Facilities.

DRS is comprised of 6 geographic districts, with multiple branch offices within each district. In total, DRS has 26 branch offices, including offices at AJCWV and co-location (within the same building) with WFWV at several sites. Additionally, DRS holds office space within some of the largest high schools in the State, to facilitate service provision to students with disabilities.

Services

The WDS provides a wide array of career and training services to promote quality employment outcomes to job seekers in WV and assist WV employers with their labor needs. These services are provided not only at AJCs and field offices, but also at homes, in schools, at places of business, and even online.

WFWV provides a number of services to the people of WV, including Job Seeker Services, Veterans Services, Dislocated Workers Services, Employer Services, Unemployment Compensation, and Labor Market Information.

Adult Education services include Orientation, Assessment, On-Site Classes, Customized Training (conducted in cooperation with employers), and Technology Training designed to enhance student transition and retention.

DRS is fully committed to providing comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, especially those with significant disabilities, who seek to obtain, retain, or maintain competitive, integrated employment. These services are highly individualized. DRS services together with pre-employment transition services, cover a spectrum of individualized needs, including Medical, Educational, Employment, Career and Training, and other Support needs.

Business Relations

A key component of the success of the WDS is the success that the system has had in maintaining strong relationships with businesses and employers across the State.

DRS employs nine Employment Specialists who provide statewide coverage in their task of maintaining business relations in the State of West Virginia. These relations entail not only placement of individuals with disabilities into positions, but also the acquisition of labor market information, complementing the information acquired by WFWV. DRS and WFWV work together to provide the most comprehensive labor market information available.

WFWV is able to produce and provide extensive labor market information to its participants, and to the public in general, thanks to communication and exchange of information with employers regarding opportunities, expected growth, and the knowledge, skills, and abilities that these employers expect from potential employees.

New Business Services Unit

While WFWV has always offered and continues to offer many and varied services to employers, 2019 has seen the implementation of a new Business Services Unit and approach proposed by Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 10-16 WIOA Operating Guidance. WFWV has chosen to focus on “Retention” and “Repeat” as pilot approaches and primary indicators of performance for measuring Effectiveness in Serving Employers.

• Approach 1: Retention with the Same Employer which addresses the programs’ efforts to provide employers with skilled workers. In 2018 our retention rate was 63.5 percent (see attached report “WIOA-Effectiveness in Serving Employers” for PY 2018 and dated 10/1/2019).
   
• Approach 2: Repeat Business Customers which addresses the programs’ efforts to provide quality engagement and services to employers and sectors and establish productive relationships with employers and sectors over extended periods of time. In PY 2018, the repeat rate was 13.1 percent.
   

In establishing a WFWV Business Services Unit, we are using indicators to show areas needing improvement and focusing on indicators at quarterly meetings. Our members include:

• Employer Representatives from our seven LWDBs
• WFWV Local Veteran Employment Representatives
• DRS
• Adult Education
• Senior Services

Programs and initiatives offered by the Business Services Unit are available to employers and which will enhance the labor force by utilizing these programs and services include:

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
• Federal Bonding
• On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs
• Apprenticeship promotion
• Recruiting employers to American Job Centers (AJC)
• Connecting jobseekers by facilitating relationships
• Rapid Response
• Veterans Services
• Migrant Seasonal Farm Worker (MSFW)
• Facilities usage for recruiting and interviews
• Assistance with job fairs
• Assistance in providing accommodations for employees (DRS)
• Educational assistance programs
• Labor Market Information
• Employer engagement in unemployment adjudication
• Resume workshops
• Interviewing workshops
• Job Development assistance
• Early intervention strategies for layoff aversions (WV Development Office)
• Industry and Sector Strategies
   

The West Virginia Workforce Development Board (WVWFDB) is structured to satisfy both federal and state requirements maintaining a majority of business representation and additional needs set forth by State legislation.

Continued emphasis on the improvement of service delivery through organizations such as the WVWFDB and the ICT will result in a more responsive and responsible system that will meet the needs of its customers. This will also promote increased economic development through the attraction, retention, and growth of businesses by providing properly trained workers who will equip businesses to compete in today’s economy.

The ICT includes policy making representatives of all State agencies involved in workforce development. Monthly meetings are conducted to discuss new initiatives, collaborations, and provide cross training information on respective partner programs. These regular meetings ensure strong coordination of policies relating to workforce programs and activities.