THE REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN Webinar for Regional Innovation Grant Grantees March 11, 2009

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Today’s Moderator Greg Hitchcock Program Manager Division of Worker Dislocation & Special Response, ETA Office of National Response

Today’s Presenters David Auger, Project Manager, North Country RIG / New Hampshire Workforce Opportunity Council Frank Stluka, Chief, Division of Workforce Investment, DOL/ETA Dallas Regional Office

Tell us about yourself: Who is here from: Economic development Workforce development Employers Education Other local government State government Federal government Other

How far along are you in developing your Regional Strategic Plan? What is an RSP? Just starting About halfway there Nearly done Finished!

What challenges do you face? What is the biggest challenge you are facing in developing your RSP? (Write responses in comments section to the left)

Learning Objectives Understand the context of the Regional Strategic Plan (RSP) Understand the importance of the plan and ETA’s expectations Learn the components of the plan Gain strategies for developing the plan Learn about some of the tools available to you at RIGS.Workforce3One.Org

Importance of the Regional Strategic Plan Required grant deliverable RSP is the primary required deliverable Developed throughout the grant period Basis for implementation Roadmap for economic transformation Guide for implementing strategies after RIG funds end Members of the leadership group will implement the strategies, using their resources and other leveraged resources “Business Plan” to use in marketing the partnership to new partners and investors

Context The Regional Strategic Plan documents the process for regional economic transformation Development of the RSP occurs throughout the grant period Strategies and tactics should extend beyond common approaches and address transformative activities  

Context (cont.) The Regional Strategic Plan is based on six steps of regional strategic planning that provide a path to implementation and sustainability

Context (cont.) The RSP is developed by the leadership group, which includes representatives from many systems and organizations: Public Workforce System Economic Development Systems Business/Industry Full Spectrum of Academic Institutions (K to Gray) Research Institutions State and Local Governments Community Organizations Investment Organizations Philanthropic Organizations

Context (cont.) The Leadership Group Identify and recruit all key stakeholders in region Continually network and include new stakeholders based on data gathered Gain stakeholder buy-in and commitment, as they will: Ultimately implement the strategies Be the major players in achieving the regional vision

Components of the Regional Strategic Plan Regional Identity and Vision Goals and Strategies Governance Operations Leveraged Resources Sustainability

Developing Your RSP Set the context within which the plan was developed Describe: Economic shock and new opportunities (background) Process of identifying the region and conducting a regional assessment (data gathering) Process of identifying and recruiting members of the leadership group (refer to previous slide on sectors they represent and importance of continued networking and data gathering)

COMPONENT 1 Regional Identity & Vision Sets framework for what to accomplish Informs goals and strategies Members of leadership group develop regional vision Describe/characterize regional identity and vision Address these questions: What will our region look like in 5 years, 10 years? What specific problems are we solving? What specific opportunities are we going after? What is our region best at? What does the regional data show? What systems must be in place to achieve our vision?

COMPONENT 1 Regional Identity & Vision (cont.) Describe process used to characterize regional identify and vision, including use of: Asset Mapping SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Labor Market Information (LMI) Data Leadership Input Others See tools and resources described in the attached Resource Guide and at RIGS.Workforce3One.Org

Asset Map – Economic Development

Asset Map – Workforce Development

Workforce Development: Organizations and Opportunities Asset map - Detail New Hampshire Workforce Opportunity Council: The mission of the Council is to promote life-long learning by partnering with businesses, agencies, and organizations to bring the state's education, employment and training programs together into a workforce development system that will provide the means for residents of New Hampshire to gain sufficient skills, education, employment and financial independence. The Workforce Opportunity Council sponsors the NH Works system through use of Workforce Investment Act funds. http://www.nhworks.org/ NH Works: The Workforce Opportunity Council sponsors the NH Works system through use of Workforce Investment Acts funds. NH Works role is to serve as a catalyst to establish a secure and sustainable workforce that can meet current and future skilled labor needs and provide a competitive advantage for New Hampshire businesses. North Country office locations are in Berlin, Conway, Laconia, Lebanon, and Littleton. NH Works have career centers throughout the state, they offer education and training resources at no or minimal cost. Centers hold workshops for: Technical assistance on preparing resumes and cover letters, Job search workshops, Employment counseling, Aptitude and skills testing, and Career exploration tools http://www.nhworks.org/search.cfm

COMPONENT 2 Goals & Strategies Goals for transforming regional economy Derived from regional vision Help leadership group focus efforts Goals must be S-M-A-R-T (Specific, Measurable Achievable, Results-Oriented, and Time-Specific) Leadership group may organize sub-committees to develop and operationalize goals and strategies

COMPONENT 2 Goals & Strategies (cont.) Specify and describe specific goals to accomplish within a specific timeframe Describe strategies and activities and how they will lead to transformation

COMPONENT 2 Goals & Strategies (cont.) Address these questions: What challenges stand in the way of achieving our goals? How can we overcome these challenges? Develop Goals Matrix GOALS MATRIX Key Strategies Desired Outcomes Activities Responsible Parties Resources Needed Timeframe/ Milestones 2.1 Promote Creative Economy/Innovation Initiatives Strengthen entrepreneurial assistance and financing options in the region Develop an entrepreneur asset map Core Team  & Transformation Council Minimal May 2009 2.1.1 Foster entrepreneurship training for laid-off workers Clear understanding of available options for entrepreneurial training in the region. Review the Kauffman FastTrac Entrepreneur Program for Dislocated Workers Funding – EDA, SBA, Kauffman Foundation?? June 2009

Successful collaboration requires: COMPONENT 3 Governance Successful collaboration requires: Clear organizational structure Clear understanding of partner roles and responsibilities Process for decision-making Describe the governance structure: Organizational structure Partner agreements Decision-making processes Accountability systems Course corrections/dispute resolutions

Communication systems Management tools COMPONENT 4 Operations Communication systems Management tools Describe the system of operations: Partner communications Reporting process Communicating with broader region, public, media Measuring progress toward goals Continuous Improvement loop Managing timelines

COMPONENT 5 Leveraged Resources Aligned resources Engaged partners/stakeholders Describe how resources will be leveraged: Alignment of Federal, state, and local workforce funds with goals Alignment and engagement of education, public workforce, business and industry, economic development, infrastructure, etc.

COMPONENT 6 Sustainability Plan for maintaining regional transformation Resources – human and financial Describe strategies for sustainability: Systems and strategies to ensure long-term success Roles and responsibilities of partners Social networking Resources

Suggested Plan Format Section Description Executive Summary 1 Present a high-level description of the proposed regional transformation. 1 Regional Identity and Vision Describe the vision for the region and the process of forming and building a regional identity, addressing each of the following topics: Defining the Region Forming the Leadership Group Defining and Describing the Regional Vision Building a Regional Identity Conducting a Regional Assessment

Suggested Plan Format (cont.) Section Description 2 Goals and Strategies Specify and describe goals for transforming the regional economy, in line with the stated regional vision. Address the alignment of the components of the Regional Strategic Plan. Address the involvement of education, public workforce, business and industry, economic development, and other systems. Describe strategies and related activities, and how these will lead to regional transformation. For each strategy, include responsible parties (partners), desired outcomes, performance metrics, required resources, and proposed timeframes. 3 Governance Provide background and detailed information on governance, including organizational charts, roles and responsibilities of partner organizations, internal controls, and decision-making authority and approach. If partnership agreements are made, attach any documentation.

Suggested Plan Format (cont.) Section Description 4 Operations Describe stakeholder communication processes, including; Specific operating plans created or under development, such as communications, reporting, and partner assignments Website links Tools that may be used 5 Leveraged Resources Describe the alignment of Federal, state, and local funds, including private sources. a) Alignment of state and local funds (WIA Dislocated Worker, Adult and Youth resources, Trade Adjustment Assistance, and National Emergency Grants) with Regional Strategic Plan goals b) Involvement of education, public workforce, economic development, and other systems

Suggested Plan Format (cont.) Section Description 6 Sustainability Describe strategies for the long-term sustainability of regional transformation. Leveraging resources for long-term sustainability Ensuring all regional stakeholders are at the discussion table NOTE: Include/attach any products developed as part of RIG efforts.

Tools and Resources Regional Strategic Planning Resources Was emailed to RIG grantees and federal project officers last week Self-paced webinar Grantee plans: North Country RIG Plan Central Iowa RIG Plan Richland County, OH RIG Plan All available at RIGS.Workforce3One.Org

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