“Better Skills, Better Jobs” June 18, 2014 NFWS 4 th Annual Meeting.

“Better Skills, Better Jobs”

June 18, 2014NFWS 4th Annual Meeting

• Population of 229,264 (2,706 square miles)

• Labor Force of 104,133

• 24.3 % do NOT have a high school diploma or GED

• 13.5% have a Bachelor’s degree

• Unemployment rate 9.5% with 9,800 people seeking work

Snap Shot of Southern Virginia

The Issue (not unique to Southern VA)

The structure of the labor market is changing, creating fewer unskilled jobs.

There is a shortage of skilled workers and the highest employer training needs are for foundational skills.

There is a disconnect between workforce education & training and employment opportunities.

A NEW Workforce Story

Short-term strategy for economic development

Address employer concerns Soft Skills Industry certifications

SOVA CWRC Progress

CWRC Target CWRC Goal Status(as of April 2014) % Goal

Emerging NCRC 712 318 45%

Current NCRC 134 532 397%

Transitioning NCRC 1465 558 38%

Business Support 287 73 25%

Leveraged Funds/Mutual Goals

• Dan River Region Collaborative• DOL Social Innovation Fund• VA Tobacco Commission• Employers• WIBs• Community Colleges• K-12

Employer & Community Engagement

Improved understanding of NCRC value among economic and workforce development communities

Increased interest among employers to use Work Keys and NCRCo 9 job profiles for three manufacturers (match)o Pre-assessment tool (recruitment)o Incumbent worker training (advancement)

Julie J. Brown, Ph.D.Dan River Region Collaborative

[email protected]