Work Ready Communities

1. Work Ready Communities The local perspective

2. Work Ready Communities • A tool for the economic development community to certify and “sell” the foundational skill level of its citizens • A tool to help Oklahoma remain competitive.

3. . This system provides: • Systemic pipeline – high school graduates, one-stop customers, adult ed students, career tech students… • Assesses any gaps/weaknesses, and gives you a place to begin the discussion about skills or lack of. • Provides instructional support to fill the gaps

4. Why are skills important? Higher Skills Higher Wages Stronger Economy

5. Why is the availability of skilled labor important? Surveys of executives, HR experts, and site selection consultants indicate that the availability of skilled labor is one of the most important factors in site selection

6. Career Readiness Certificate Bronze Silver Gold Automotive Body Repairers Butchers & Meat Cutters Cooks, Cafeteria Furniture Finishers Home Health AidesHousekeeping Supervisors Janitorial Supervisors Machine Set-up Operators Painting & Coating Workers Refuse Material Collectors Accounting Clerks Auto Master Mechanics Billing Clerks Licensed Practical Nurses Machine Operators Machinists Medical Laboratory Technicians Payroll Clerks Pipe Fitters Production Inspectors Computer Programmers Electricians Environmental Engineering Technicians Executives Instrumentation Technicians Librarians Semiconductor Processors Training & Development Specialists Vocational Education Teachers Wholesale & Retail Buyers Median $26,000 $34,000 $49,000 Maximum $37,000 $74,000 $141,000

7. How can skill building be used? • Individuals can take the training to obtain a higher CRC level • Online Learning Courses are available from KeyTrain • Classroom training available from Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning Programs • After completion of training, retake WorkKeys tests • As individuals obtain a higher level CRC, then the region’s workforce becomes more skilled

8. Who implements the CRC at the community/regional level? • “We do” • Community has to take ownership and make the program a priority • Gain the commitment of stakeholders • Marketing – Marketing – Marketing • Employers “recommend” applicants to have a CRC. It’s just one piece of the process of finding the qualified applicants you need.

9. Work Ready Communities—How To • Establish a working group of representatives (Mayor, Commissioner, Economic Development Authorities, Chamber of Commerce, Private Business, Career Tech, Adult Basic Education, Public School Superintendent, Workforce Oklahoma, City Manager, Chief Local Elected Official, WIB Chair, etc…)

10. Work Ready Communities • Determine skill levels required for individuals to achieve certificates verifying their workforce competencies in their chosen occupational goal. • Enlist support from entities that will assess individuals, provide the training, and promote use of certificates by businesses • Develop a system to maintain records for individuals who have obtained or are seeking certificates

11. Make sure partner agencies are using the certificates and that businesses are requesting certificates when hiring. • Train partner agencies about the meaning of the certificates so they can communicate this information to individuals and businesses • Publicize the program to engage the support of businesses and the public.

12. Work Ready Communities • Skill building is an integral piece in the WorkKey system. Without it we have just another “snapshot” of skilled labor availability.

13. How can you build a strong workforce for the future? • Measure current skilled labor availability • Build a community-wide commitment to a Workforce Development initiative • Implement an Economic Development plan with skilled labor as a critical element • Provide the tools and resources to improve the workforce • Periodically evaluate the performance of the initiative