Commissioner’s Office Accomplishments
State Workforce Investment Board
- Goal #1: Engage the workforce system by anticipating and responding to business current and emerging needs for skilled workers.
- Exercise capacity building for board members and the workforce system.
- November 30, 2006 "A Regional Workforce Transformation and Economic Planning Forum" with National Consultant Rick Maher, and a Spring 2007 SWIB Board Continuous Improvement Planning Session
- Create an inclusive system that represents all faces of Montana, including Montana’s Tribal Nations and the last and the least.
- One-Stop System development and One-Stop Center Certifications – Goal of 10 within first year, one in each MACo District. Currently six centers are certified with additional applications under review.
- Increase communication vehicles
- The SWIB Newsletter has been reinstated, transitioning to a bi-monthly, expanded publication to better communicate SWIB business
- Exercise capacity building for board members and the workforce system.
- Goal #2: Improve efficiencies by getting more dollars into the hands of Montana’s needing citizens.
- Review programs and administrative budgets, ensure fiscal accountability and reduce administrative layering.
- Transitioned to a single-statewide area planning August 2005. The Workforce Investment Board transitioned to a single administrative entity, creating more than $1.2 million in savings that was re-allocated to service providers for those most in need.
- The SWIB has submitted a waiver request for $400,000 incumbent worker funds from WIA reallocated monies.
- All WIA mandatory partners, including Tribal representatives, have signed the Statewide MOU for One-Stop Delivery System - a first time accomplishment.
- Review programs and administrative budgets, ensure fiscal accountability and reduce administrative layering.
- Goal #3: Encourage alignment among workforce development, post secondary education, and economic development.
- The $15 million Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant provides training in biotech industries, and partners with the Governor’s office, Commerce, the university system, and others. WIRED is just now gaining momentum.
- Create performance standards that identify effective workforce development initiatives.
- Request for Proposal Process 2007 for WIA Adult, Youth and Dislocated Worker.
- Coordinate the states’ workforce investment initiatives with the state’s economic development plan.
- State Plan Revisions, WIRED, Nov. 30th "A Regional Workforce Transformation and Economic Planning Forum" presented by Rick Maher, National Consultant
- The Youth Council has also been formed June, 2006.
- The statewide Apprenticeship Program has developed an MOU outlining coordinated creation of new education programs that would have direct interaction with existing or future State Registered Apprenticeship Programs; partners include business, labor, education, and state government.
- Establish committees to address:
- Health Care Task Force: Address any Health Care Workforce Shortages and identify causes, regions and recommendations.
- Economic Development and Business Retention Committee: Address business start-up and retention, regional economies and industry cluster development, aging workforce and transportation issues.
- Apprenticeship Advisory Committee: Establishment of MOU to strengthen the partnerships between workforce development, economic development and education.
- Youth Council: Address issues revolving around at risk youth, education and workforce skills development.
- Workforce System Committee: Oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Governor’s and Board’s Strategic Workforce Development Plans
