Workforce Development Councils of Alabama
Workforce Development Councils of Alabama • Ten workforce development regions • WIA areas are included in regions • Private sector employers, economic developers, local elected officials, chambers of commerce • Strategic planning • Partners for project development • Applicant for funds • Not advisory councils – ACTION councils!
WDCA Purpose – To facilitate implementation of workforce development programs and services that support economic and job development in the region and that address the workforce needs of existing businesses and industries. – The workforce development council shall be business led and business driven – And shall be an integral part of a comprehensive workforce development system serving individuals and employers.
Approved 4/2010
WDCA Objectives • Promote a workforce development system in the region • Assess current and future workforce needs of employers in the region. • Establish a strategic plan to meet capacity and skill development and training needs in the region • Partner with workforce development service providers • Serve as co‐applicant for state workforce development funds
WDCA Objectives • Assist in determining effectiveness of training projects in the region • Assist in evaluating the service delivery structure and coordination among entities providing workforce development services • Expand the resource base available for workforce development • Coordinate planning with economic developers and elected officials to ensure that workforce development strategies support economic development goals in the region
Operating Guidelines • A quorum is 25% of voting members. • A voting member may designate a proxy • Officers are Chair, Vice‐Chair, and Secretary – Officer terms are 1 year and may be elected up to 2 consecutive terms
• Meetings shall be held at least once per quarter • Council follows fiscal year October 1 – September 30
Operating Guidelines ‐ Membership • Voting Members – 20 members minimum – 2 private sector from each county – Serve in leadership positions within their company(owner, president, HR director, Training director, etc.) – 75% of members will represent private sector – Members serve for 3 years; may be extended – Other voting members • Locally elected officials, state legislators, chamber of commerce directors, regional planning commission directors – A business can have only one voting member
Operating Guidelines ‐ Membership • Ex‐Officio Members – Service providers – Faith‐based and community based organizations – DHR, ADRS, SS, K12 – Additional business leaders outside of the designated council may be engaged in a committee structure as designed by the council.
Operating Guidelines ‐ Membership • Adding New Members – Nominating committee makes recommendations to the Chair – Chair forwards to DPEWFD – DPEWFD ensures potential new members meet guidelines – Chair presents new members to full council for vote
Operating Guidelines ‐ Officers • Chair – Preside at all meetings of the council and executive committee, coordinate council meetings, schedules, and agendas; appoint committees and designate chairpersons
• Vice‐Chair – Assumes duties of chair when they are not present; ensures the adherence of the Operating Guidelines
• Secretary – Review and submit minutes of meetings for approval to the council
Operating Guidelines ‐ Committees • 4 Required Committees – Executive Committee • Officers and 3 voting members elected at‐large – Nominating Committee • Past council chair and 2 current voting members elected by the council – Strategic Planning Committee – Grant Review Committee
Grants Process • Round 1 FY12 – Grants due to DPEWFD August 3rd – State Proposal Review Committee August 24th
The Future Outlook • Governor Robert Bentley today continued his work to streamline economic development and workforce training efforts in the state. He asked Chancellor Freida Hill to use the workforce training programs currently in use at the two‐year college systems and develop them further under the authority of the Chancellor. Those programs specifically include: Alabama Industrial Development Training, the Alabama Technology Network, and training for existing businesses conducted by the state’s community colleges. “I am asking Chancellor Hill to create a workforce training system that is the best and most efficient in the country. In addition to training employees for new businesses locating in Alabama, I want the system to offer training and retraining for employees of existing businesses large and small,” said Governor Bentley. “They are the backbone of our economy and it is important for our workforce training system to help them prosper and grow.”