Workforce Development

Build relationships between higher education and business: Create policy to further relationships between higher education institutions and businesses.  Community colleges need close relationships with local businesses to be able to understand their workforce needs.  Four year institutions need to understand the state economic needs so that the state can maintain a well educated workforce and keep young graduates in state.

Integrate green curricula:  Educational institutions should look for opportunities to integrate "green curriculum" into coursework, training centers' programs, certification programs, etc.

Target and provide appropriate training to already licensed plumbers, heating professionals or other appropriate skilled trades to earn appropriate licenses for solar installation, or other green products. Evaluate how to integrate green instruction into continuing education for licenses.  Reconsider HB 09-5162.

Workforce Development

No Worker Left Behind:
Jobs in knowledge based industries require significant postsecondary training or bachelor's degree:

• Up to 2 yrs of free tuition at any state community college, university or other approved training program
• A skills assessment administered by workforce development boards ( in Michigan: "works agencies")
• Must pursue a degree or occupational certificate in a high demand occupation or emerging industry or in an entrepreneurship program.  Bachelor degrees are allowed if educational program meets all other core criteria (2 yrs or less needed, will lead to job in high demand, etc.)
• Free tuition program is a one time offer and has a 2 year limit to sign up for the program (MI program began 8.1.07)
• Tuition includes instructional costs, books, materials, fee, and academic supportive services
• Tuition assistance is capped at $5,000/yr for 2 years, or a total of $10,000 per person
• Workforce development boards will help participant identify high demand jobs in their region
• Once enrolled, participants need to complete training within four years of starting
• Education and training providers must be licensed/accredited
• Eligibility:  person unemployed or received notice of termination/layoff; employed but family income equal/below 40,000; at least 18 years old, must not have graduated from high school in last 2 yrs and must not be full-time college student (applies to 18-23 years old)

Workforce Retraining:  Enrich talent by retraining and retooling the existing workforce:  1) sector-based workforce development programs, 2) integrate adult literacy programs into the talent pipeline, 3) sector-based education and training pathways.

Consider ways to maintain Workforce Investment Board's On-the-Job-Training program for employers hiring unemployed individuals.  The OJT program offers a wage reimbursement percentage currently granted by the federal stimulus funds provided a dramatic increase in funding to match the increase in demand but as of 7/1/10 the program will return to prior funding levels. We need to work with Congressional delegation to advocate for funding.  State should evaluate how it can assist in stabilizing this program.

Implement talent based strategy for economic growth that takes advantage of core competencies that CT has already developed:  1) advanced systems and product development, 2) advanced information systems, 3) biomedical engineering interface, 4) translational medicine

Evaluate proposals generated by PRI report of 12/09:  Alignment of Postsecondary Education and Employment.  Prioritize those recommendations that 1) decrease (or manage) the need for community colleges to provide remedial education, 2) promote cooperation or coordination between agencies or schools, 3) are responsive to emerging industry needs and create career ladders where needed in new fields, and 4) maximize resources.

Use ARRA TANF Emergency Contingency Fund money to provide subsidized employment for TANF-eligible families. Under ARRA, the federal government will provide a 4:1 match for any increased spending on subsidized employment programs for TANF-eligible families. This increased spending may come from the state itself or from municipalities, non-profits, or private sector employers. The TANF Emergency Contingency Fund is only available until September 2010, though Congress may extend that deadline.