1. Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency G VEST Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency “W.I.O.A.” G VEST October 2015 1

2. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF VR Focus on traditional Special Ed population Primarily High School Seniors (sometimes Juniors) Both general caseload and specialty caseload Relied on “Local School System” Agreements Not always viewed positively by schools Services generally limited to basic VR services Not a full continuum of services Not a statewide, coordinated approach 2

3. CRITICAL CONCERNS # of students served # of students who drop out/ don’t complete high school # of students who cannot get into college # of students who drop out/don’t complete college # of students who get a real job at a competitive wage 3

4. W.I.O.A. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act  Do job seekers /workers have the skills to help them advance and are businesses enabled to hire more skilled workers?  Are Federal job training and education programs effectively aligned?  Is the focus on actual jobs in the market? (job-driven training)  It is the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act and signed into law by President Obama July 22, 2014.  Also incorporates changes to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Draft federal regulations for implementation of WIOA are currently being finalized. 4

5. W.I.O.A. Seven Major Elements: Checklist 1.Work up front with employers to determine local or regional hiring needs and design training programs that are responsive to those needs. 2.Offer work-based learning opportunities with employers, including on-the-job training, internships, pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships as training paths to employment. 3.Make better use of data to drive accountability, inform what programs are offered and what is taught, and offer user- friendly information for job seekers to choose what programs and pathways work for them and are likely to result in a job. 4.Measure and evaluate employment and earnings outcomes. 5

6. W.I.O.A. Seven Major Elements: Checklist 5.Promote a seamless progression from one educational stepping stone to another, and across work-based training and education, so individuals’ efforts result in progress. 6.Break down barriers to accessing job-driven training and hiring for any American who is willing to work, including access to supportive services and relevant guidance. 7.Create regional collaborations among American Job Centers, educational institutions, labor and non-profits. 6

7. W.I.O.A. Mandatory Collaboration  US Department of Education, US Department of Labor, US Department of Commerce, and US Department of Health and Human Services.  US Department of Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): continue to promote the identification of employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in high demand fields, including STEM careers, based on the use of labor market information in the VR process.  Georgia’s Required Partners: Workforce Development (Department of Economic Development), Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, TANF, Adult and Technical Education. 7

8. W.I.O.A. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act  TITLE I: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.  TITLE II: ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY.  TITLE III: AMENDMENTS TO THE WAGNER-PEYSER ACT.  TITLE IV: AMENDMENTS TO THE REHABILITATION ACT.  TITLE V: GENERAL PROVISIONS 8

9. W.I.O.A. TITLE I: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT  State Workforce Development Boards.  Unified State Plan. (due March 2016)  Performance Accountability System. (common measures)  One-Stop Delivery Systems. (presence of all partners)  Youth Workforce Investment Activities. (in-school youth, out- of-school youth, career pathway development, dropout recovery efforts, occupational skills training, and education and training leading to a recognized postsecondary credential)  Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment and Training Activities. 9

10. W.I.O.A. TITLE V: REHABILITATION ACT  Eligibility and Individualized Plan for Employment.  Vocational Rehabilitation Services. (provision of pre- employment transition services for all students with disabilities who are in need of these services, and those services are coordinated with services provided under the IDEA)  Evaluation Standards and Performance Indicators.  Training and Services for Employers.  State Allotments. (requires that 15% of state’s allotment be designated to provide “pre-employment transition services”)  Pre-Employment Transition Services. (all students with disabilities in need of these services) 10

11. GEORGIA’S LABOR MARKET Current Initiatives Georgia’s economic development is trying to bring new jobs to Georgia and what companies are looking for to move to Georgia is a skilled workforce. 11  GO BUILD GEORGIA  HIGH DEMAND CAREERS

12. GEORGIA’S LABOR MARKET Common Employer Trends  More Internships, on-the-job training and co-ops  Soft skills are crucial  Demand for basic educational skills  Introducing STEM at a younger age  Shortage of local skilled trade workers  Productive partnerships with workforce development  A diverse workforce in STEM-related jobs 12

13. GEORGIA’S LABOR MARKET Overall Trends HIGH DEMAND CAREERS  Mechanical Engineer  Electrical Engineer  Welder  Machinist  Computer Numerical Control  Programmable Logic Control  Software Developer  Business Support Roles  Computer Programmer  Maintenance Technician  Manufacturing Associate 13 HIGH DEMAND SKILLS  Soft Skills  Mathematics  Work Ethic  Customer Focus  Project Management  Robotics  Analytical  Business Acumen  Problem Solver  Teamwork

14. GEORGIA’S LABOR MARKET Sector, Businesses, Jobs, Skills, Location SECTOR: Film, Television and Interactive Entertainment COMPANIES: Atlanta Media Campus, Bento Box, Floyd County, Marvel Studios, Pinewood Studios, Trick 3D, Local 479, Weather Channel, Turner Broadcasting, Jacoby Group, Moving Picture Technicians… JOBS: Animator, Artist, Background Artist, Best Boy Electric, Best Boy Grip, Cinematographer, Costume Designed, Tailor, Flash Animator, Fork Lift Operator, Mobile Application Developer, Painter, Plasterer, Set Builder, Story Boarder, Specialty Technician… SKILLS: Communication, Critical Thinking, Intellectual Curiosity, Math, Teamwork, Work Ethic, Writing, Knowledge of Production Safety… LOCATION: Georgia 14

15. GOING FORWARD  How can VR integrate our efforts with all schools statewide?  How can VR become involved with all students with disabilities who have transition barriers?  How can VR become involved with students with disabilities earlier in their schooling?  How can VR help create a full continuum of services that schools will see as a seamless system for any student? 15

16. GVRA UPDATE 1.Focus on new and improved Transition services in our part of the state’s unified plan. 2.Created a new “Transition” department within the agency. 3.Strengthen our partnership with Dept of Education and all the specialty schools. 4.Also partnering with Dept of Economic Development, Division of Workforce Development. 5.Received a 5-year federal “career pathways” grant. 16

17. QUESTIONS? 17

18. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Greg Schmieg GVRA Executive Director Email: greg.schmieg@gvra.ga.govgreg.schmieg@gvra.ga.gov (404) 232-1815 18