BUILDING A COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE Strategies, Resources, Skills and Jobs Civic Alliance Workforce Education Committee April 11, 2011 Alex Rivera, Vice Chair Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County

2 Today Workforce Issues in Ventura County ABS Committee Action Plan Outline Role of the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) (WIB) Committee on Applied Basic Skills for Technology-Related Jobs Next Steps

3 Workforce Issues in Ventura County  High level of unemployment  Changing demographics  High cost of living  Shortage of quality jobs  Aging workforce

4 Role of Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Appointed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to…  Administer federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds in Ventura County  Collaborate with business, economic development, labor, education, and community-based organizations, and government agencies to build a strong workforce in Ventura County  Provide oversight for workforce development programs and services to benefit job seekers, workers, and businesses in Ventura County

5 Ventura County will have a strong, relevant workforce that is ready and able to support the changing needs of employers in a dynamic, competitive, global economic environment. WIB Vision

6  Engage, align, build, and leverage the resources of a collaborative workforce development system WIB Strategic Direction  Advocate the development of a ready, flexible workforce – Adapts to the changing demand-driven job market – Supports growth of existing businesses – Is a positive marketing tool to attract new businesses  Promote opportunities for training a diverse workforce – Workforce pipelines for allied health and clean/green-related jobs – Development of applied basic skills for technology-related jobs – Support for mid-level wage job seekers – Introduction to careers at an early age

7 Committee on Applied Basic Skills for Technology-Related Jobs Committee Charter Create a plan to align business leaders in Ventura County for the development of a collaborative workforce pipeline that focuses on applied basic skills for technology-related jobs

8 Action Plan Outline 1. Identify an initial focus that is strategic, business demand- driven, and achievable. 2. Engage business partners in a collaborative initiative. 3. Identify technology-related jobs in Ventura County that will be in high demand with employers, offer a living wage, and provide career path opportunities through 2020 and beyond. 4. Outline a plan for technology-related businesses and providers of applied basic skills education and training to collaborate in the development of a ready, reliable, local talent pool. 5. Provide input to the WIB Resource Planning Committee for the discussion of WIA and non-WIA funding options and strategies.

9 Manufacturing Over 900 manufacturing firms in Ventura County Skill shortages have a widespread impact on manufacturers abilities to achieve production levels, increase productivity, and meet customer needs Subsidized, customized training to move current employees to higher-level skills and wages Step 1: Identify an Initial Focus

Step 2: Engage Business Partners AeroControlex Group, Talley Actuators Division Applied Powder Coating AMGEN County of Ventura Transportation Department Ventura Adult & Continuing Education Jaxx Manufacturing Kinamed, Inc. Rexnord-PSI Bearings Tri-Counties Building & Construction Union EDC-VC Ventura College Southern California Edison Haas Automation 10

Step 3: Identify Technology-Related Jobs Numerous jobs have been identified which are critical to area manufacturing across various industries and for which skill gaps and worker shortages are evident: Assemblers Fabricators Operators Inspectors Technicians Etc… 11

12 Identifying the applied basic skills needed to be qualified for tech jobs Exploring resource needs and gaps Next Steps Establish an industry-recognized, stackable, portable credential program “Virtual Academy” for Life and Technical Skills Outreach strategy to reach kids at a young age to prime them for work readiness/interest in manufacturing careers Educate employers on importance of human capital investments

13 Accesswww.wib.ventura.org Visit Oxnard Santa Paula/Fillmore Simi Valley/Thousand Oaks Ventura JobLink kiosks at Simi Valley Library and Pacific View Mall, Ventura For More Information