LABOR MARKET AND CAREER INFORMATIONSUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES
DISCUSSION PAPER
Background
Currently, Local WorkforceDevelopment Boards (Boards) provide data from the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Labor Market and Career Information (LMCI)department and other resources to the community in a variety of ways. Services provided by Boards include the following:
- Training and materials toemployers, economic development organizations, schools, regional Education Service Centers, community colleges,community groups and municipalities, and dislocated and out-of-work customers;
- Display and promotional materials, electronic resources and websites, and presentations upon request;
- Communityand employer group-partnering on councils,commissions,veterans organizations,K–12 and postsecondary councils and advisory committees, boards, and task forces;
- Hosting or participating in community job and career events, expos, and fairs; and
- Demonstrations of, information about, and access to TWC electronic resources such as Texas Cares, Careers Are Everywhere,SOCRATES, Reality Check,yestoyouth.com, and WorkInTexas.com.
Some Boards also offer more innovative services. Forexample, Workforce Solutions Cameron works with local news media to present a daily “hot jobs” news piece every morning to spread available employment opportunity information to the community.[1]
Another promising Board practice is tohold an on-campus event with students, teachers, counselors, and parents. Typically, the event is heldmore than once a year. Boards share LMCI data, use Reality Check to provide additional information, demonstrate tools and resources, and provide classes in résuméwriting and job interviews.[2]
Issue
Althoughschools, colleges, employer representatives, and communities are using available resources satisfactorily,there is untapped potential. Additional funds are needed to move current activities to the next level. The funds willallowBoardsto offer more proactive support for job readiness programs and hands-on, individualized activities,in addition to information and presentations upon request. The supplemental funds will expand the capability ofBoards and Workforce Solutions Offices to provide current LMCI resources and information.
Additional activities that may yield more measurable and precise results for using LMCI resources include the following:
- Increasing capacity to seek out individuals in need of services where they are in the community—physically, academically, and vocationally;
- More frequent interaction with business groups, campuses, students, social workers, community organizations serving populations withchallenges, and vocational rehabilitation specialists;
- Serving as a resource and referral agent, meeting individualized or small group needs;
- Updating and increasing the capacity of local efforts, including website and electronic resources; and
- Providing additional LMCI-based support to more individuals and industries, which may involve additional staff, travel, and other expenses.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that$980,000in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds be made available in the amount of $35,000for each Board to enhance and supplement current LMCI-sourcedactivities and resources
Allowable LMCI-related activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Increasing the scope and scale of current activities and events;
- Wider distribution of materials and more visiblepromotional campaigns;
- More effective use of technology, local news outlets, social media, and other engagement strategies; and
- Greater visibility of Board staff on K–12 and postsecondary campuses to facilitate student and parent engagement, appointments, check-in and follow-up, pre-employment skills tutorials, and deadline tracking.
1
DP – LMCI Supplemental Funds Project (05 17 2016)Notebook
[1] Veronica Downey, Director, TWC LMCI
[2]Capital Area Board, LMI Excel Spreadsheet, page 2, 09Mar16