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. D. Coordination, Alignment and Provision of Services to Employers
Describe how the entities carrying out the respective core programs, any Combined State Plan partner program included in this plan, required and optional one-stop partner programs will coordinate activities and resources to provide comprehensive, high-quality services to employers to meet their current and projected workforce needs and to achieve the goals of industry or sector partners in the state. The activities described shall conform to the statutory requirements of each program.
Current Narrative:
Wisconsin's Business Services Teams (BST) coordinate activities and resources with WIOA core and Combined State Plan programs to provide comprehensive, high-quality, customer-centered services to employers. The core programs and Combined State Plan partners meet regularly and collaborate to ensure that employers receive the best services available to them. Teams provide services that include, but are not limited to: recruitment, human resources consultation, workforce incentive information, and resources, training programs, tailored labor market information, and access to a deep labor pool.
Representatives on each BST include a representative of the Workforce Development Board, Bureau of Job Service, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Registered Apprenticeship, Office of Veterans' Employment Services and other WIOA partners programs as required or deemed necessary by local teams. WTCS and Title II are active JCW partners serving adult education, literacy and other education and training needs, often in coordination with Title I and employer partners, across the state; TANF and FSET local staff are represented where the programs are co-located.
DVR has 12 Business Service Consultants (BSCs) and one Policy Initiative Advisor who work to align business outreach strategies in a tiered approach, focusing on national (National Employment Team, or NET), state (such as energy sector), and regional business needs and initiatives. Strategic business outreach and relationship development, whenever possible, includes Combined State Plan partners in a coordinated effort to provide seamless, cohesive services to Wisconsin businesses. Title I, III, and IV work collaboratively at the state level to coordinate business workforce initiatives. Title I, III and IV business service representatives complement each other's skill sets to best serve business establishments in Wisconsin; for example, Title IV has specific knowledge and resources related to job seekers with disabilities, while Title III has business initiatives and services, such as apprenticeship, they are skilled in.
Wisconsin identified JCW Business as the system of record for all business services reporting and business customer management. Any user from a WIOA core or partner program with a demonstrated business need may access the system. Specifying a single tracking system reduces repetitive employer contacts and promotes collaborative business services.
Information entered and tracked in JCW Business informs and guides services focused on employer's specific needs. In addition, the skills matching functions of the JobCenterofWisconsin.com (JCW) tool provide great benefit to employers searching for candidates. Enhanced, user-friendly LMI tools available through JCW provide a resource for employers seeking to fill openings.
Real-time reporting from JCW Business is available within the robust capabilities of the Business Intelligence platform, allowing for data-informed decision making.
The WIOA Performance Advisory Committee (PAC) monitors and analyzes the baseline results of the pilot Effectiveness in Serving Employers measure to develop negotiated performance measures and provide feedback to local business service teams for continuous improvement. Wisconsin selected "Employer Penetration Rate" and "Repeat Customer Rate" as the two pilot performance measures.
In addition, the PAC researched and piloted additional measures focused on quality service delivery, sector strategies, and assisting employers in accessing untapped labor pools.
Title II (AEFLA) programs play a pivotal role in serving Wisconsin employers by delivering a talent pipeline that is responsive to workforce and industry needs. The supply of skilled labor to Wisconsin employers through Wisconsin Title II program efforts is most clearly exhibited in Corrections/Re-Entry Education, Integrated Education and Training (IET) and Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE). These service delivery models are informed by the analysis of regional labor market data, designed through ongoing collaborative activities with regional employers and local workforce development boards, and maintained to ensure industry relevancy through modification activities. The success of these programs is possible through the participant support and collaboration with other critical WIOA partners including DOC, TANF and DHS. Collectively, these intentional efforts will ensure that Re-Entry Education, IET and IELCE offerings provide employers with skilled labor to address their workforce needs and prepare AEFLA participants with industry-driven education and training.
Title II funded Corrections/Re-Entry, IET and IELCE programs are approved by the WTCS Office and require vetting through a labor market needs assessment to ensure the offering is designed to prepare adults for employment in in-demand industries and occupations. The needs assessment process includes the collection, analysis, and synthesis of regional employer and local workforce development board input. Needs assessment data is collected through surveys, focus sessions, or discussions with other education and workforce system partners. Additionally, each offering will be aligned with at least one occupational classification code from the Department of Labor’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. Together, coordination with workforce system partners, regional employers, and alignment with the SOC system will support intentionality of Corrections/Re-Entry, IET and IELCE programs to ensure gainful employment for participants.
Title II providers of IET and IELCE collaborate with workforce system partners and regional employers to design curriculum and integrate the appropriate workforce preparation activities. Curriculum design efforts informed by workforce partners will ensure learning activities provide participants with occupation specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that are vital for employability upon exit from the program. Through the curriculum design process with workforce system partners, IET and IELCE participants will have the employability skills to address employer workforce needs.
Once an IET or IELCE offering is fully implemented and enrolling participants, employer partners will continue to be engaged through the IET and IELCE modification process. In addition, Title II providers will coordinate annual review activities with workforce system partners to verify continued relevancy of Corrections/Re-Entry programming in relation to the regional needs of labor and industry.
The WTCS Office coordinates a competitive multi-year grant cycle to award monies for Title II local providers. Within these grants, funds are designated for intentional efforts to scale employer-responsive Corrections/Re-Entry, IET and IELCE across the state.
Wisconsin is also exploring establishing a committee comprised of core and partner programs that provide business services. The committee would drive statewide business services strategy, policy process, and provide joint guidance to core and partner programs. The WIOA Leadership Team will designate a program lead to assemble and convene the committee.
DCF has two TANF-funded subsidized employment programs, the Transform Milwaukee Jobs (TMJ) and Transitional Jobs (TJ) Programs. DCF contracts with workforce agencies in Wisconsin to provide these services. TJ/TMJ agencies assess employers in their regions and recruit potential job sites in a variety of fields. In some cases, an agency will seek out a particular employer based on a participant’s interests or skillset. Agencies work in partnership with a variety of employers including for-profit, non-profit, and municipal. TJ and TMJ agencies act as the bridge between employers and employees, handling the tasks of identifying participants with needed skills, vetting candidates, and presenting potential workers to employers. Agencies place an emphasis on finding the right fit for open positions, with the long-term goal of filling permanent positions for the employer. During subsidized placement, TJ and TMJ agencies provide follow up and case management to help resolve issues that may arise.