Sector Strategies Best practice in Workforce Development

1. Sector StrategiesBest practice in Workforce Development Ohio Economic Development Association 3-8-13

2. Sector Strategies Characteristics • There is variability among sector strategies across geographies and industries, but typically they: • Target a specific industry • Offer a strategic partner with deep knowledge of the targeted industry and the surrounding landscape—‘workforce intermediary’ • Link: • Employers/Employer Organizations • Economic Development • Public Workforce System • Community-Based Nonprofits • Education and Training Institutions • Provide interventions designed to meet business needs • Promote systemic change

3. Sector StrategiesWhy? • By focusing on multiple employers with similar needs within an industry, workforce and economic development systems can: • Develop better understanding of an industry’s need • Shared skills shortages, labor projections • Share training costs and leverage multiple resources towards a common goal • WIA, Pell, tuition reimbursement, tax credits • Build upon regional assets and competitive advantages • Adapt quickly to changing needs of the industry • Draw upon one labor pool to deliver outcomes for both individuals and employers • Support career pathways for long-term solutions

4. Selecting a sector • Labor Market Information • Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) • Ohio Labor Market Information (www.ohiolmi.gov) • Employment and Wages by Industry, Current Employment Statistics Query • Real time LMI • Ohio Means Jobs (www.ohiomeansjobs.com) • Burning Glass (www.burning-glass.com)

5. Selecting a sector • Caution! • All statistical information must be vetted with employers. • Occupational Vacancies • Wage Information • Industry Growth • Skilled Labor Supply • Available Training • Existing Initiatives • And even then—you must be prepared for something to change.

6. Other considerations • Flexibility • You should be willing to make mid-course corrections, do things that have never been done before, and stop what’s not working. • Information Sharing • You should build a safe place where potentially competing employers information feel comfortable sharing sometimes sensitive information (wages, hiring needs). • Intermediary • You should consider selecting a knowledgeable convener to implement the initiative—industry association, community based organization, educational institution.

7. What’s in it for the sectors/ED Employers • Opportunity to shape training needs • Addresses worker recruitment/retention issues • Share knowledge across industry • Increase the pool of skilled labor • Increase efficiency and their bottom line • Economic Development • Creates new opportunities to attract and retain industry • Better meets needs of current sectors

8. What’s in it for Other Partners • Workforce Development • Relationships with multiple employers within an industry • Clear direction for relevant training programs • Access to industry information that leads to career pathways • Career advancement options for workers Higher Education • Career-relevant curricula development • Expanded program options for students.

9. Ohio sector programs • Marine Mechanics Program—WSOS Community Action • Marine mechanics • Wood, Seneca, Ottawa, and Sandusky Counties • Partnership for a Competitive Workforce—United Way of Greater Cincinnati • Healthcare, manufacturing, and construction • Greater Cincinnati Area • Logistics ART-Columbus State Community College • Logistics • Central Ohio WorkAdvance-Towards Employment • Healthcare and manufacturing • Northeast Ohio

10. Questions? Rebecca Kusner Director, WorkAdvance Towards Employment www.waneo.org rkusner@towardsemployment.org 216-297-4425