21 st Century Workforce Initiative Promising Practices Webinar September 19, 2007 Presented by the Department of Labor & Economic Growth/Bureau of Workforce Programs

Agenda I. Opening Remarks Janet Howard, Interim Director, Department of Labor & Economic Growth/Bureau of Workforce Programs II. Communications Strategy Region 3- The Job Force Board, Upper Peninsula Joe Esbrook, Dir. Business & Community Development Region 8- NW Michigan Council of Governments Elaine Wood, Deputy Director III. Developing, Attracting, & Retaining Talent Region 10- South Central Michigan Works! Sarah Hartzler, Community Relations Officer Janet HowardIV. Closing Remarks Janet Howard

Building and sustaining effective, efficient & aligned communication structures Successful Economic and Workforce Development Partnerships

Equal Opportunity/Employer. Michigan Relay (800) Auxiliary Aids and Services Available to Individuals with Disabilities upon Request. Michigan Works!

21st Century Regional Workforce Planning Elements 1.Create a uniform approach to working with employers 2.Assess local workforce and economy 3.Develop a coordinated, regionally led rapid response process to address plant closings and mass lay-offs 4.Incorporate a lay-off aversion component with the intent of minimizing plant closings and lay-offs 5.Focus on developing, attracting, and retaining talent to build and support the 21st Century economy 6.Develop and implement a communications strategy targeted at partners, employers, and the general public

Developing Coordinated Regional Strategies in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

15 counties over 17,000+ square miles, approximately 300,000 residents & 3 Michigan Works! Regions Developing Coordinated Regional Strategies in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Spread over an area larger than that of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Delaware!

Communication Strategies?

Aligning Staff to the Goals & Strategies of the Workforce Board Demand Side - What We Do For Business and Industry Supply Side - What We Do For Jobseekers Helping Develop Helping Hire Employer Services Business Services

Develop linkages & alignment between economic & workforce development Business & Industry & Area Residents!

Creating a True Workforce Advantage for the Region Employer Services Business Services

Regional Strategic Alliances Workforce Development Business & Industry Economic Development

Communication Strategies?

Aligned Communication Strategies!

Weekly In-House Newsletter Blast “Keeping You Connected”

“Invest in the UP” UP-Wide TV Coverage WLUC TV-6 Partnership

Monthly Newsletter over 5,000+ Readers Business is “UP-Date” Newsletter

Continuously Highlight 21 st Century Initiative Business is “UP-Date” Newsletter

UP-Wide Radio Coverage Radio Results Network Partnership

UP Business Today Business Magazine 20,000+ Readers Upper Peninsula Business Today Partnership

Economic and Workforce Development Summits On-going Community Forums

Economic and Workforce Development Summits - 9/27/07 On-going Community Forums

Additional Partnerships and Strategies Chamber of Commerce Partnerships Planned Media Releases Front-line Staff Regional Skills Alliances Legislative Updates Get involved in Partner Organizations

Workforce Development Board & Partners Become Most Effective Regional Economic & Workforce Development Communication Strategies – Creating a true workforce advantage for your region! Business & Industry Education Area Residents Business & Industry Education Area Residents

Questions?

Creating the 21 st Century Workforce: Coordinated Regional Partnerships in the Northwest Michigan Region May, 2007 Communications Plan

Why is a communications plan so important? Holds everything together over time & despite personnel changes Longer-term strategic goals can get lost in day-to-day business Provides structure among partners Ensures timeliness

Key Messages Confidentiality –Paramount & guaranteed Availability of Resources –In good times & in downturns –Across the board needs –Well-coordinated among partners Credibility –Consistency –Accuracy –Quality

Strategy 1: Build Relationships Utilize Michigan WORKS! Business Liaisons as the focal point of contact with companies Regular meetings of sub-regional Business Enhancement Teams –All partners who serve businesses –Informal information sharing & strategizing to serve businesses better Build long-term understanding & trust –With businesses –Among partners

Strategy 2: Leverage Technology Business Enhancement Teams home page –Information for employers about expansion & retention, lay-off prevention, human resources issues, services of partners Link to Workforce & Business Development Resource Directory alert for members of Business Enhancement Teams –Early warning of at-risk signs –General information sharing Shared software among Business Enhancement Team partners: Executive Pulse

Strategy 3: Construct a Brand Consistent, repetitive communication with all audiences Business Enhancement Team logo Accuracy & simplicity in all communications No government lingo or acronyms

Strategy 4: Engage the Media Provide & encourage feature stories about Business Enhancement Teams On-going news releases about success stories & new initiatives Develop partnership with a local news organization to feature a regular series of columns on Business Enhancement Team services

Strategy 5: Build on Existing Communication Channels Fully utilize communications capacities of partners Build on what we have had in place for many years – –Asset-based approach –Make it better, don’t start over

Strategy 6: Educate the Public on the Knowledge Economy Develop a series of informational articles about the Knowledge Economy Distribute widely –School district newsletters –Chamber of Commerce publications –NWMCOG & Michigan WORKS! newsletters –Web sites –Business News publication –More!

Questions?

Develop, Attract, and Retain Talent

Key Partners Local School Districts Local Community Colleges Local Colleges/Universities Area Manufacturers Association Regional Skills Connection Regional Skill Alliances

Strategies and Activities Development of RSA’s Success Skills Credential Regional Skill Connection Curriculum Development According to Demand Support of Youth Career Skill Development Programs

Looking Forward Survey Region’s Employers Create an Educational Pipeline Build Relationships with Colleges/Universities Promote Postsecondary education

Questions?

Conclusion Please visit the following websites for additional information:

Conclusion These and other promising practices can be viewed on the 21 st Century website at: Under the Employer Services & Technical Assistance Button On the 21 st Century Workforce Initiative Webpage