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- Program-Specific Requirements for Wagner-Peyser Program (Employment Services)
All Program-Specific Requirements provided for the WIOA core programs in this section must be addressed for either a Unified or Combined State Plan.
a. 1. Describe How the State Will Utilize Professional Development Activities for Employment Service Staff to Ensure Staff is Able to Provide High Quality Services to Both Jobseekers and Employers.
Current Narrative:
• State-wide staff training on the provisions of Career Services to job seekers started in December of 2017 and will continue throughout 2018 with monthly webinars.
• All staff who serve job seekers in the resource areas and/or reception desks are required to complete the Reception and Resource Area Certification Program.
• Classroom presentation skills training based on the state's Creative Job Search workshop will continue to be offered to all employees who facilitate workshops.
• Training specific to each employee is documented in the employee's Individual Development Plan.
• Ongoing training in the areas of dealing with diverse populations, accessibility, safety, and financial literacy will continue to be offered to all employees.
• Training will continue to be provided in specific program areas such as Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers and Trade Adjustment Assistance.
• Staff will continue to be encouraged to attend the state's annual Job Counselor training event, which includes keynote speakers and breakout sessions on multiple topics related to their work with job seekers and businesses.
The goal of these training activities is to ensure that staff are able to effectively assist job seekers with improving their job search skills, obtaining the best job possible, and progressing in a career pathway. These training activities will also provide employers with access to qualified candidates and strengthen their business. The delivery methods of these trainings will include on—the—job training, conference calls, and web based technology such as Skype and WebEx.
In order to improve demand-driven workforce services to our businesses on both a state and regional level, a new strategy was developed and is being implemented through seven Regional Workforce Strategy Consultants. Their role is to coordinate, lead and deliver demand-driven regional and statewide business services that assist businesses and industry sectors in overcoming the challenges of attracting, retaining and developing talent for the regional economy.
This includes developing workforce planning strategies and solutions for Minnesota businesses as they continue to grow in today’s complex and competitive environment by focusing on talent pipeline development for key regional industries through collaboration and employer-led sector partnerships. The new strategy provides outreach to and consults with business leaders in targeted industry, high growth sectors to help determine their workforce planning needs including talent attraction, and retention, hiring, succession planning, equity, workforce development and job growth. The position initiates and builds partnerships between Minnesota businesses, community organizations, WorkForce system partners, Job Service, industry associations, education partners, and economic development. In addition these regional positions provide time sensitive innovative regional workforce solutions and connections to appropriate resources to meet business needs.
MISSION The mission of the Workforce Strategy Consultants are to develop short and long-term innovative workforce solutions by aligning resources, facilitating collaboration, and leveraging expertise in targeted industry sectors to drive economic equity and growth.
THE VALUE WE BRING Assist key stakeholders in the successful implementation of regional plan; Leverage expertise in industry sector workforce development strategies; Connect key stakeholders to workforce development resources; Enhance regional economic prosperity through partnership with DEED’s Business Development Specialists and Labor Market Analysts; Design tools and resources to support businesses in developing strategic workforce solutions that are relevant in today’s dynamic and ever-changing environment.
PRIORITIES Assist in implementing the Regional Plan with industry and planning partners; Engage and enhance industry sector partnerships in order to develop workforce solutions; Reduce disparities among populations with high unemployment rates (especially communities of color and disabilities.)