STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – TOPIC SUMMARY

Topic: Oregon Workforce Investment Board Report

Date: April 14, 2011

Staff/Office: Greg White, OWIB Executive Staff

Action Requested: Informational Only Adoption Later Adoption Adoption/Consent Agenda

ISSUE BEFORE THE BOARD:

Quarterly Oregon Workforce Investment Board Meeting Report

BACKGROUND:

Presented quarterly after each OWIB meeting. This month’s report is for the March 11, 2011 OWIB meeting.

Quarterly Oregon Workforce Investment Board Meeting Report

New Members

The OWIB has several new members:

Cheryl Roberts, President of Chemeketa Community Colleges, representing Community Colleges

Alan Unger, County Commissioner, Deschutes County, representing Local Elected Officials

Susan King, Executive Director, Oregon Nurses Association, representing Labor

Scott Nelson, Governor’s Jobs and Economy Advisor, representing the Governor

Scott Nelson – Governor’s Office – Governor’s Workforce Agenda

Budget issues are the highest priority to the Governor, focusing on how we streamline delivery in State services. Workforce is central to the jobs and policy mission. He commended transition task force for developing the Plan for OJT and NCRC. Regarding the threat to Federal funding, the Governor will fight tooth and nail to restore cuts. On energy efficiency—schools first. The public policy mission is accessing the benefits of energy efficiency as the capital for school construction projects. We have a tremendous opportunity to build career pathways in high-skilled jobs. In general workforce issues are integrated into the Governor’s overall agenda. In response to questions, Mr. Nelson related that some of the Governor’s new directions affect the OWIB’s work. Changes are needed in the delivery of the health care system, and the new Education Investment Board will address education from 0-20.


When asked if we are we on track in aligning with the Governor, the answer was yes. The Governor wants to extend the good work that has been done so far. The Green Jobs Plan report is good work—let’s put it to good use. When it comes to workforce, we need to make sure we’re constantly interactive. The OWIB strategic Plan reflects that nimble nature.

Facilitation for Strategic Plan

The OWIB is embarking on a process to update the strategic plan, Winning in the Global Market. The work will be done in two phases, an evaluation of the plan and its impact over the last five years, and then updating the plan as necessary. The Board held a facilitated session, led by the contractors who have been engaged for the work, to kick off the evaluation phase and to get the entire Board’s comments on the plan. The process will be guided by a Strategic planning Committee. Rosie Pryor will chair the committee.

The facilitation began with an explanation of the process. The hour and a half session included getting comments on the Assumptions for the Strategic Planning Process, the definition of workforce system, the successes and outcomes achieved, the barriers, and the OWIB role and structure. The discussion was lively and informative and was captured by the facilitators for inclusion in the evaluation of the Plan.

OED presentation: LMI grant updates

The Employment Department received a grant to improve labor market information on green jobs. Charlie Johnson (Green Jobs Economist at Employment Dept.) gave an overview of the green jobs research they have completed so far. The publication funded by the OWIB, The Greening of Oregon’s Workforce, was crucial to the application process of the LMI Improvement Grant. The grant has several components, including learning more about the skills required for green jobs, the profiling of green jobs, green jobs career pathways development, and improvements to the methodologies and software used by OED to identify green jobs in their systems. Much of the value of the research being done is to understand what green jobs are and what skills make a green job different from a regular job. It will help to dig deeper into the green occupations and skills needed so that colleges can target training. This will provide opportunities for job seekers about what businesses really need in the green occupations.

Committee Reports

Two OWIB committees reported:

·  The Manufacturing Committee is on target with the implementation of its plan to assist manufacturers. They are exploring a pilot with the Energy Trust of Oregon, that will be rolled out toward the end of 2011, which will aggregate energy savings for small manufacturers.

·  The Youth & Education Committee asked for assistance in how to carry out one of its primary goals for the year: to improve the awareness of the importance of Career Technical Education. The Board suggested a summit involving employers to raise awareness, and a workgroup to consider the CTE reports that have been developed with an eye towards implementation. The work will build on the best practices information that is being developed.

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