Using Partnerships to Help Build a Stronger Community 2010 California Workforce Conference Newport Beach, CA
WHAT IS INNOVATION FRONTIER ARIZONA? A partnership of industry, workforce, education and economic development entities working together to achieve 3 goals: 1.TALENT 2.ENTREPRENEURSHIP 3.COLLABORATION
3 KEY INGREDIENTS Economic Development Education Workforce Development 4 COUNTIES
IFA PROJECTS… Engage multiple systems Involve multiple jurisdictions Attract larger, long-term investments Spur systemic change and alignment
BORDER COUNTIES Each county has border communities Survey businesses to identify needs Customized workplace literacy programs for incumbent workers Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Pre-academy Developing talent within our communities
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? Global competition is about economic regions Talent is the key Regional economic development supports the development of industry clusters
Benefits of Regional Growth Brings people together to think creatively and cooperatively Raises the economic vision Jointly articulate regional needs Builds trust which enables other projects Creates opportunities for sharing of expertise and experience Encourages peer networking among businesses to build relationships on similar issues
Yuma Manufacturing Association Collaboration of industry, economic development, workforce development and education entities Regional resource network for manufacturers Seeks to identify & share best production management and human resource practices Encourages interface between industry leadership in the region.
Yuma Manufacturing Association Expand the regions Industrial Manufacturing baseIndustrial Manufacturing Business Retention/Expansion efforts allow for the creation of targeted training programs Partnerships with K-12 & Yuma’s Arizona Western College create a pipeline of talent that meets the needs of Industry Positive industry outcomes as touted by companies such as Johnson Controls, Shaw Industries and Bose Corporation
WHAT DO WE GAIN? Grant funding Business retention and expansion New collaborative partnerships Business attraction Pooled resources Diversification
WHAT YOU CAN DO Get to know your local Economic Development and Educational Entities Hold a regional forum Do a SWOT analysis List any special initiatives already in progress and see how you might be able to leverage program revenues
THANKS! Patricia Romant Yuma Private Industry Council Mercedes Mendivil Yuma Private Industry Council Greg LaVann Greater Yuma Economic Development