The Event Connection

CFBCI Co-sponsored Sample Event

PURPOSE:
The purpose of these subcontracts is to facilitate events that will result in specific, new strategies to meet businesses’ need for work-ready and competent employees by adequately preparing struggling individuals/populations.

Every event must bring leaders and staff from local and/or state Workforce Investment Board(s) (WIBs) and the One-Stop Career Centers (the Workforce System) together with leaders from new faith-based and community organization (FBCO) partners (Please note, this does not exclude new relationships that CFBCI has helped you establish. “New” here refers to those who do NOT have an existing contract or large grant) for the purpose of developing new strategies to prepare individuals for successful employment in local businesses and industries.

BACKGROUND:
As the United States moves to a knowledge-based economy, there are more opportunities than ever before for high-wage, high-skilled jobs so long as the workforce gains the appropriate, competitive skills. It is necessary that 21st century workers continue their education as “life-long learners” and obtain advanced post-secondary training and education. The President’s High-Growth Job Initiative is based on this premise, as is the Workforce Innovation for Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative (www.doleta.gov/wired).

At the same time, many people are ill-prepared for the 21st century employment and training opportunities. They lack basic educational competencies and lack basic “work readiness” skills necessary to succeed in the workplace or advance in the workforce. Consequently, many businesses that offer “entry-level” work cannot find appropriately prepared entry-level employees who can be retained over time.

These challenges affect many community stakeholders, both within the Workforce System, businesses, and education, as well as faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs). These organizations are often well suited to provide services on location in impoverished areas and offer intensive, one-on-one support and assistance to individuals preparing to become work-ready and retain employment. The Build Your Community Network! events are designed to bring together leaders and staff from FBCOs and the Workforce System to create new strategies for addressing the need to adequately prepare struggling individuals/populations to become work-ready, start them on a career path full of opportunity, and stay employed over time (retention).

The term “work-readiness” includes: 1) professionalism and work ethic; 2) basic reading, writing, and math skills; 3) critical thinking and problem solving; 4) positive and respectful attitude; 5) the ability to communicate and work in teams; 6) personal responsibility; and (7) the ability to manage personal life without it interfering with work. The term “retention services” include services that support employees in staying employed, such as ongoing mentoring or job coaching.

REQUIREMENTS:
State and local WIBs that receive a subcontract must meet each of the following requirements.

1) Host a local or statewide event or series of events for faith-based and community organizations partners (FBCOs) who are new to the workforce system. The event(s) must also include representatives from various parts of Workforce System, including representatives from education and business.

2) Cover the agenda topics below, customized to local needs and using local speakers, presenters, or facilitators as appropriate:

a. Information about local business needs and the skills or aptitudes specific businesses or high-demand industries need. Chambers of Commerce and/or other business representatives must be included.
b. Advanced training in:
i. Preparing struggling populations for work.
ii. Assisting struggling populations with job search.
iii. Providing effective retention support.
c. Information about how to collaborate and make effective referrals to the workforce system.
d. Strategic Planning. This refers to time on agenda in which the participants from FBCOs and the Workforce System develop specific collaboration strategies to meet local business needs for job ready employees. Strategies may include sharing resources, leveraging resources, and/or jointly applying for more resources.
e. Information about local and state public and private funding for workforce development activities and information about appropriate uses of government funding (such as are covered by the Equal Treatment regulations).

3) Create outcome report that captures the strategies and actions developed by participants/ and Workforce system staff as well as summary and copies of participant evaluations of the event. The outcomes report should include actions workforce board or One-Stop staff will take to follow-up with participants from the events. The report should also include the number of attendees and what agencies each attendee represented.