A Model Approach for a Work Ready Community...Wayne Community College Wayne County Chambers of Commerce Stakeholder Commitment: ... Building a Work Ready Wayne County. WORKS Initiative:

A Model Approach for a Work Ready Community

BETTER JOBS

BETTER ERS

BETTER ECONOMY

WAYNE OCCUPATIONAL READINESS

KEYS FOR SUCCESS

In 2007, Wayne County Commissioners approved funding for a community-based initiative to focus on

unifying economic and workforce development efforts.

TO DEVELOP AND MARKET A SKILLED WORKFORCE FOR WAYNE COUNTY

Facilitating communication and collaboration

between stakeholders,

Assessing workforce needs/gaps,

Supporting local, regional and state initiatives

Securing adequate workforce development funding

Strategies to achieve the WORKS mission

5

Wayne CountyDevelopment Alliance

NC East Alliance

NC DOC DWS(JobLink)

Wayne County Public Schools

Local Business &Industry

Wayne CountyGovernment

Eastern CarolinaWorkforce Development

Board

AdultEducation

Curriculum Programs

Human ResourceDevelopment

Customized Industry TrainingFoundation CRC / WorkKeys

WORKSSJAFB Employment

Connection

Wayne CommunityCollege

Wayne CountyChambers of Commerce

Stakeholder Commitment:

Strategies to achieve the WORKS mission

Employer Engagement

Employers discuss the challenges they face with the current workforce and the challenges they foresee in the future. Topics included soft skills/ employability skills, technical advancements and skill gaps, credentialing, turnover and employee willingness to take advantage of “grow your own” opportunities.

“. . .Our students need to be prepared to take the next step after high school, whether that step is college or work. WorkKeys and CRC give us a common language for dialogue with local businesses and industries so that our schools may better prepare our students to meet their workforce needs.”

Dr. Steve Taylor, Superintendent

Wayne County Schools is a leader in NC in promoting CRC for all

graduates.

Benefits of CRCTo Employers:

• Reduce training time• Increase productivity• Increase bottom line through skilled employees• Reduce turnover, overtime and waste• Allow promotion through performance

CRC - For all occupations, for all educational levels

To Individuals:• Build confidence that skills meet employer needs• Demonstrate readiness for hire, training, promotion• Document “Work-Readiness”

Benefits to Communities:Database of local skills to attract and retain businesses

Benefits To Students:• Applies academic skills in career settings

• Reinforces career exploration• Encourages skill achievement levels needed by graduation• Identifies skill levels for various careers and occupations• Helps students see the skills and skill levels needed for jobs• Helps individuals improve their skills and enhance job opportunities• Reinforces the value of solid workplace skills

Advanced Manufacturing

Construction Trades

Life Sciences

Aerospace

Marine Trades

Endorsement

“WCDA uses WorkKeys® and Career Readiness Certification in both our recruitment and retention efforts. CRC lets employers know that

perspective employees have the skills they need to be trainable on the job. Applicants need something to set them apart from other

applicants with similar resumes, and CRC will do that.”(Mike Haney, Existing Industry Specialist, WCDA)

Strategies to achieve the WORKS mission

County of Wayne

Chamber of Commerce

WCPS

SJAFB – Airman & Family Readiness Center

Communities in Schools

Wayne County Development Alliance

Wayne County Government

DART, DRC

NC’s Eastern Region

ASPIRE - 9 CCs in 13 counties

Aviation/Aerospace

STEM East

Work Ready Communities

Eastern Carolina WDB

• Began with survey of business leaders and Soft Skills Task Force

• Identify and address 140 soft skills

• 30-hour class

• “Business” environment (employee handbook, name tags, dress code, clocking in/out, etc.)

• Participant Evaluation / Performance Appraisal

• Offered through Con Ed for FTE

Research-based

Piloted in several areas

Early adopters:

• Applied Technologies

• Business Technologies including Gaming & Simulation

Developed rubric for use with curriculum classes

Conducted training for faculty

Conducted training for students

Coaching sessions for faculty & students

Rubric added to syllabus templateafter approval of Division Chairs & Curriculum committee

• Originally created to address the needs of local manufacturers who cited certain skills lacking in the current workforce:

• Soft Skills / Skills for the Workplace

• General Mechanical Skills

• Math and Measuring Skills

• Offered through OE courses ISC 3500 & MLS 3812

• Tuition assistance through HUD Grant, City of Goldsboro

• Became basis for HRD Career Pathways class for MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT)

Community-based workforce certification system

In November 2011, NC’s Eastern Region launched the state’s first Work Ready Communities demonstration project. NC’s Eastern Region was selected as the demonstration site in part because it is home to Wayne County’s WORKS Initiative, which served as a model for WRC.

In February 2013, Wayne County became the first county to receive the WRC designation.

Strategies to achieve the WORKS mission

JobsNOW – Instructional costs associated with short term training Source: NCCCS – Federal Stimulus Funds

ASPIRE – WorkKeys and CRC Source: NC’s Eastern Region

GLOW – Equipment & Tuition costs for short term training (Allied Health, Industrial Technologies, and EMT) Source: Golden Leaf Foundation

Performance Incentive Grant - CRC for dislocated workers ($30 scholarships)Source: NCCCS (Federal Funds NC Commerce)

Project Ideal – CRC for Basic SkillsSource: NCCCS

GLOW AM – Equipment & instructional costs for Aviation Systems TechnologySource: Golden Leaf Foundation

Work Ready Communities – CRC, Speakers Bureau, WRC Kick Off EventSource: NC’s Eastern Region

City of Goldsboro – Tuition, CRC, supplies & feesSource: HUD

Community Assistance Grant – Equipment

Source: Golden Leaf

NC Back to Work Grant – Program set up costs, tuition & fees, CRC, instructional costs, MSSC testing feesSource: NCCCS

Since 2007, the County of Wayne Commission has invested in the WORKS Initiative. Funding for WORKS comes from county, state, self-supporting, and grant monies.

Focus for the future: A collaborative effort to create an Advanced Manufacturing Center for Wayne County

Building a Work Ready Wayne County

WORKS Initiative: Innovation in Motion

Any community can brag about their “highly driven” and

“motivated” workforce, but few have documentation to prove it.

We do.

Dr. Kay Albertson, PresidentWayne Community College

Mike Haney, Vice President & Existing Industry SpecialistWayne County Development Alliance

Diane Ivey, Executive Director, Wayne Business & Industry CenterWayne Community College