WIOA and Work Ready Communities

Beth A. Brinly andRobert Curry502.564.0372

Agenda

• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act– Key Changes– Economic Development Tools– Opportunities

• Work Ready Communities– Process– Performance– Status

Key WIOA Changes

Helping Employers FindWorkers with Necessary Skills

Contributes to economic growth and business expansion by ensuring the workforce system is job-driven – matching employers with skilled individualsState and Local Boards will:

• Promote the use of industry and sector partnerships• Support activities to meet the workforce needs of local/regional employers• Use funds for strategies that meet employers’ workforce needs, including incumbent

worker training, registered apprenticeship, transitional jobs, on-the-job training and customized training

Employers are incentivized to meet their workforce needs and offer opportunities for workers to learn with increased reimbursement rates for on-the-job and customized training

Economic Development Tools

• Increased Partnerships

• Work Based Learning

• Integrated Education and Training

Increased Partnerships

• High Impact Workforce Investment Boards• Sector Strategies• Industry Partnerships• Career Pathways• Entrepreneurship

Work Based Learning

• Apprenticeship• Earn and Learn Opportunities• High School Outreach• Supporting access to real-world education and

training– Community Based Transition and Supported Employment– Shadowing, Mentoring, Internships– OJT, Incumbent Worker & Customized Training

Integrated Education and Training

• Accelerating Opportunity Kentucky

• National Career Readiness Certificate

• Eligible Training Provider List

• Employability Skills

State, Regional and Local PlanningCollective Impact

Common Agenda Planning and implementation grants Engage partners from multiple sectors

Shared Measurement Data sharing agreements Accountability for shared outcomes

Mutually Reinforcing Activities

Blended funding streams Allowances for tailoring to local conditions

Continuous Communication Documenting the process of collaboration Allowing for adjustment in plans to support

emergence

Backbone Support Funding for backbones Grant criteria that require defined backbone

functions

Levels of Certification

What is the Kentucky Work Ready Community Program?

1. Framework

2. Process

3. Certification

4. Economic Development Tool

1. Framework

2. Process

3. Certification

4. Economic Development Tool

Framework

• High School Graduation Rates

• National Career Readiness Certificates

• Community Commitment

• Educational Attainment/GED®

• Soft Skills Development

• Internet Availability

The Process

• Organize locally

• Submit Letter of Intent

• Prepare application

• Panel review

• County presentation

• Recommendation

• Kentucky WIB certification

The Certification

• Demonstrates to current employers a commitment to providing a pipeline of highly skilled worker

• Demonstrates to prospective employers that same commitment

• Demonstrates a sense of community pride

Economic Development Tool

• Business Retention

• Expansions

• New Locations

Statewide Performance*

• Kentucky Work Ready Communities 18

• Kentucky Work Ready Communities in Progress 38

• Letters of Intent 31

*As of 07/22/15