1. James Satterwhite Executive Director Workforce Solutions – Rural Capital Area

2.  Workforce historically categorized as “Challenged”  Challenges are increasing and more complex * Gaps widening between employer skill needs and potential workers skills *Global Competition *Employers struggling to remain profitable & competitive *Consumer confidence very low *Aging workforce leadership in most industries *New workers unprepared for work or continued education *Technology outpacing workers skill increases and cost of training for new technology is expensive for education *Changing demographics

5.  Historic levels of unemployed  Historic level number of job seekers in system  Low numbers of new jobs or refilled ones  College graduates experiencing difficulty finding jobs and increased competition  Green jobs entering the picture  Increased funding for unemployment payments  Increased funding for training and support thru AARA

6.  United States @ 9.7%  Texas @ 8%. Lost 266,300 jobs in last 12 months  Hays County @ 6.9%  Caldwell County @ 8.4%

7.  Average monthly clients 10/07 thru 9/08 was 8,159 in our nine counties  Average for the next nine months was 11,273 in our nine counties or 38% increase  Hays county increased by54% and Caldwell about the same with Hays county at 2000 and Caldwell at 553

8.  Number of individuals receiving UI from 7/08 thru 6/09 is 17,525 in our nine counties:  Number of individuals receiving UI in Caldwell county for same period were 918 with 472 still active in WIT on July 29th  Number of individuals receiving UI benefits in Hays county for same period were 3,182 with 2000 still active in WIT

9.  With 472 still active in WIT on July 29 th in Caldwell county…there were 27 job openings they were competing for  With 2000 still active in WIT on July 29 th in Hays county….there were 106 job openings they were competing for  Number of jobs listed on WIT on July 29 th was 809 in our nine counties

10.  Enacted Feb 17, 2009  Funds for nine county area: $6,000,000  Intent of ARRA is to put Texans back to work  Majority of funds expended in the first year  Target services toward:  Those on public assistance, and other low income individuals  Displaced and unskilled adults  Disconnected youth  Child Care related projects

11.  Assist them in obtaining jobs that pay self- sufficiency wages. $14 an hour  Focus on career paths that benefit the individual, local employers and the local economy  Additional help with child care payments and quality activities with local child care providers

12.  Allocation for nine counties is: $1,487,921  60 percent of ARRA youth program funds must be expended on summer employment activities  70 percent spent by September 2009  Anticipate serving at least 400 youth in work experience projects with local employers  Currently have served 48 youth in Caldwell County and 93 in Hays county.

13. Training includes the following:  Occupational/vocational training  OJT  Internships  Entrepreneurial training  Private sector training programs  Customized training  Apprenticeship  Direct contracts with institutions of higher education for training and curriculum development

14. Training costs can include the costs associated with  Adult Basic Education/Literacy  English as a Second Language But only if they are provided in conjunction with training activity Boards can enter into direct contracts with institutions of Higher Education and Other Training Providers. Currently have agreements with Austin Community College.

15.  ARRA Adult Program  Allocation of $544,790  80 percent spent by June 2010  67% spent on training and support services  Plan to place 173 in training  ARRA Dislocated Worker Program  Alloc. of $ 1,021,493  80 percent spent by June 2010  67% spent on training and support services  Plan to place 238 in training

16.  Allocation is $ 2,819,657  Direct Child Care assistance to eligible parents $2,323,324  Quality activities $496,333

17.  Opportunities for skilled workers in:  Solar  Wind Power/design  Use of environmentally friendly building materials  Renewable energy infrastructure  Energy-efficiency home retrofitting  Bio-fuel development  ARRA Grants Available

18.  Never underestimate the importance of higher education and training opportunities to a regions long term prosperity  Determine collective skill sets of the regions workforce that are transferable to multi-industries  Focus on recruitment of industries that provide a sustainable wage ($14) and to those that need the skills available in the region  Work with educational institutions to provide training in targeted areas  Promote the strengths of the region including I30.  Continue to address weaknesses such educational attainment, housing and poverty rate

19.  Develop a collective vision of what you want your community to look like and to provide  Always include all stakeholders in economic development and educational planning  Never think that growth will stop and that problems will go away on their own  Keep focusing locally and regionally as you are today  Never underestimate the power of partnerships