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Ramsey
County Workforce Investment Board
Past Accomplishments
The
Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board’s 2009 strategic direction
is aimed at enhancing the WIB’s ability to meet the needs of
employers and job seekers in Ramsey County. Detailed below are the
priorities and tactics defined for 2009, and the progress made
throughout the year.
I. Priority: The WIB will strengthen its role as a strategic leader
in workforce development.
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Tactic: Evaluate workforce development programs for which the
WIB provides oversight and develop an annual report to be
distributed in the 2nd Quarter of the following year.
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Accomplishment: On April 15th, over 300 stakeholders,
colleagues and local organizations received the 2008 WIB
Annual Report which included updated design elements and
logo.
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Accomplishment: The WIB reviewed the WIA Youth plan,
WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs plans and plans for
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds
received by Workforce Solutions.
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Tactic:
Complete development of the WIB’s strategic plan, with action
steps initiated by 3rd quarter 2009.
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Accomplishment:
The WIB’s Strategic Plan was completed and approved by the
WIB and the Ramsey County Board with next steps being
formulated.
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Accomplishment:
The WIB’s 2010 annual planning process is incorporating
tactics such as environmental scanning into the development
of the 2010 plan.
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Tactic: Position the WIB as a main point of contact for workforce
development for State, Regional, County and City economic, business
and workforce development partners. Keep the full WIB abreast of
opportunities in these arenas.
o
Accomplishment:
The WIB worked with the Department of Employment and Economic
Development (DEED) and the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce to
arrange a United States Department of Labor Listening Session in
Saint Paul. During the session, participants indentified benefits
gained from and areas of improvement related to information
generated by the workforce information system.
o
Accomplishment: The Education Committee continued work on
establishing their focus and the inclusion of new members
representing additional facets of education was approved.
o
Accomplishment: The WIB worked with Greater Metropolitan
Workforce Council to identify collaboration opportunities in the
healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
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Tactic: Develop and implement marketing efforts promoting WIB
initiatives to increase public awareness of local workforce
needs and resulting programs available, with initial marketing
material out by 2nd quarter 2009.
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Accomplishment:
The WIB’s inaugural issue of Workforce Connections was
distributed to members of the WIB, Youth Council, Education
Committee and the Friends of the WIB, in addition to
community stakeholders in June. The second issue of the
WIB’s newsletter was distributed in September.
II.
Priority: The WIB will utilize the FWIB’s 501(c) (3) status to
secure funds, ensuring the WIB’s financial sustainability and
enhancing the ability of community partners to meet emerging
workforce needs.
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Tactic: Continue exploration of sustainable funding for the
Building Lives program, including completion of legislative
request by 2nd quarter and foundation requests by 3rd quarter.
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Accomplishment: An appropriation for the Building Lives
program was signed into law within the Economic Development
Omnibus bill, dedicating $100,000 in funding for each year
of the biennium. Additionally, the Youth Council approved
$91,000 of ARRA funding and Workforce Solutions moved
forward with the $30,000 grant from the Otto Bremer
Foundation to advance the Building Lives program.
III.
Priority: The WIB will actively engage in workforce opportunities,
through local and regional collaborations, to meet the needs of
employers and jobseekers in Ramsey County and beyond.
o
Accomplishment: The WIB’s Healthcare Initiative, focusing on
local healthcare systems and their workforce needs, received a
$25,000 grant for Collaborative Local Projects through the Governors
Workforce Development Council. Convening local workforce partners,
healthcare employers, and education institutions to address this
need, the curriculum was developed and is being administered by
Saint Paul College in conjunction with Saint Paul Public Schools
Adult Basic Education. 19 students began the training in the field
of Medical Coding and Billing in November.
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Tactic: Collaborate with regional partners and professional
organizations to develop and implement coordinated workforce and
economic development efforts, keeping the WIB informed of
challenges and opportunities.
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Accomplishment: The WIB participated in regional and
local responses to Department of Labor Requests for
Proposals for ARRA grants approving support of five grants
with active participation in two. Responses to applications
are expected by year end.
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Accomplishment: The WIB submitted the 2009 Local Plan to
DEED which outlines how the WIB allocates WIA Title I funds
as well as other funding to meet the needs of employers and
jobseekers in Ramsey County.
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Accomplishment:
Building on the 2008 findings, the Tri-WIB initiative with
Dakota-Scott and Washington County WIBs focused on educating
students in career opportunities in the healthcare field.
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Tactic: Continue collaboration with various state and local
business services staff to more efficiently serve the WIB’s
customers and sustain economic growth in Ramsey County.
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Accomplishment: Continuing efforts from the 2008
initiative, the Metropolitan Manufacturing Sector Initiative
partners strategized on how to meet manufacturers’ needs in
the current economy.
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