1. 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. 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. 3 Workforce Issues in Ventura County  High level of unemployment  Changing demographics  High cost of living  Shortage of quality jobs  Aging workforce

4. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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

10. 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

11. 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. 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. 13 Accesswww.wib.ventura.org www.venturacountyjcc.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