Narrative: III. a. 2. G.

A key component of a successful statewide strategy to place individuals into high-wage, high-demand careers will be to develop deeper partnerships with Louisiana Economic Development. In particular, more robust linkages to the work being done by LED FastStart will be critical. LED FastStart is the workforce development incentive program of Louisiana Economic Development.  LED FastStart provides project-based recruitment, job-specific training, and workforce pipeline support for companies relocating to, or expanding in, Louisiana.  As an economic development incentive, this program is provided to eligible companies at no cost.  The project deliverables are also shared with other state workforce development entities at no cost to boost the capacity and capability of Louisiana’s workforce development efforts.

• Recruitment support: LED FastStart assists new and expanding companies during the ramp-up of their operations by providing targeted recruitment efforts.  LED FastStart provides physical and virtual job fairs, interview events, custom recruitment and job profile videos, workforce data, and job posting on a custom recruitment portal.  LED FastStart also partners with other state agencies (LWC, LCTCS, LDVA) and regional workforce partners to include them in our events and enhance their recruitment efforts on behalf of the client companies.

• Custom Training support:  LED FastStart provides custom-designed, job-specific training for client companies.  LED FastStart’s curriculum development team conducts a thorough on-site task analysis of a company’s process and develops a custom training prescription.  Materials developed may be instructor-led, self-guided, on-the-job, video, virtual-reality based modules, or a hybrid of methods.  All custom materials developed are copyrighted to the company and become the company’s intellectual property.  With permission of the company, materials are shared with workforce development partners, at no cost, to continue the workforce partnership with the company following the completion of the project and/or to increase the capabilities of the workforce partner in serving the greater skills training needs for the state.

• Workforce Pipeline support:  LED FastStart serves as an initial conduit for the client companies in connecting to other state workforce development partners.  During the initial ramp-up, companies may be unfamiliar with the state, regional, and local workforce development network.  LED FastStart works to connect the company to these entities throughout the project lifespan so that productive relationships are engaged when the LED FastStart project is complete.

LED FastStart also serves to boost workforce development partners’ capacity and capabilities in conjunction with the company projects.  The comprehensive analysis performed at the onset of the project often identifies broader educational programs or initiatives. When applicable, and as appropriated through project commitments, LED FastStart can provide funding to partners (LCTCS, BOR) to either create or enhance programs through staffing, equipment, and/or development activities.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), through its WIOA programs, will collaborate with LED FastStart to enhance the state's labor force participation rate by leveraging the strengths of both entities. Here's how they can work together:

• Integrated Recruitment Efforts: LWC can partner with LED FastStart in its recruitment initiatives, combining resources for physical and virtual job fairs, interview events, and custom recruitment videos. This collaboration would extend the reach of LED FastStart’s efforts, providing a broader pool of candidates and helping more residents find employment, thus increasing the labor force participation rate.

• Shared Training Resources: By integrating WIOA program participants into LED FastStart’s custom training programs, LWC can ensure that the workforce is receiving industry-specific training that meets the needs of companies investing in Louisiana. Sharing training materials and resources can also enhance the skills of the current workforce, making them more competitive and job-ready.

• Workforce Pipeline Expansion: LWC can work with LED FastStart to identify and connect with companies in the early stages of their relocation or expansion in Louisiana. By aligning WIOA program services with the needs of these companies, LWC can facilitate a smoother transition for them into the local economy and ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers, thus supporting an increase in labor force participation.

• Joint Development of Training Programs: LWC and LED FastStart can collaborate on the development of new training programs or the enhancement of existing ones, especially in areas identified as high-demand by LED FastStart’s comprehensive analysis. This partnership could lead to more targeted training initiatives that are closely aligned with the state’s economic development goals and workforce needs.

• Sustained Engagement and Support: Post-project, LWC can continue to work with companies that have been part of the LED FastStart program to provide ongoing support and workforce development. This continued engagement can help maintain a skilled workforce and ensure companies have the human resources they need for sustained growth and development.

Coordinating with regional economic development organizations is crucial to amplifying the impact of the collaboration between the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) and LED FastStart. These regional organizations have deep insights into local industry needs, labor markets, and economic trends. By aligning efforts with them, LWC, LED FastStart, and local workforce development boards, the state can ensure that workforce development initiatives are tailored to the specific needs of different regions within Louisiana. This coordination can lead to more effective use of resources, elimination of duplicative services, and a stronger, more unified approach to economic development. Moreover, regional organizations can act as a bridge between state-level initiatives and local businesses, facilitating more direct and meaningful engagement with employers. This helps in creating targeted training and employment programs that accurately reflect the current and future needs of the local economy, ultimately contributing to a more dynamic and inclusive labor force participation rate across the state.

Through these collaborative efforts, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, LED FastStart, and regional economic development organizations, Louisiana can create a more robust and responsive workforce development system that not only meets the immediate needs of businesses but also supports long-term economic growth and increased labor force participation in Louisiana.

A key consideration of this renewed focus on collaboration is a full understanding of the projects announced and/or underway through LED. Tracking this list of projects and ensure programmatic and strategic efforts of the Louisiana Workforce Commission are in alignment with economic growth opportunities. Current announced LED FastStart projects* are as follows: