Connecting with Local Youth Workforce Systems-Stories from the Field

Maisha Meminger, Manpower Analyst, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration

Dr. Stephanie Rodriguez, Workforce & Training Fellow, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration

Kevin Williams, Vice President of Systems Advancement and Director of the Next Generation Zone, Spokane Workforce Development Council and Next Generation Zone

Bridget Dazey, Executive Director, Clackamas Workforce Board

Bruce Bergeson, Director, Minnesota River Valley Career and Technical Education Collaborative

Amy Horwath, Vice President of Mission Services, Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies

Sharon Goss, Workforce Development Director, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments

Morgan Romeo, Director, Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board

Jennifer Lawrence, Executive Director, Social Enterprise and Training (SEAT) Center

The public workforce system has several components that work together to provide a holistic suite of services to job seekers, those seeking training, and employers. This session featured a panel of experts offering examples and tips from the field related to the public workforce system for youth and youth adults. It included brief overviews of local boards, American Job Centers, and youth service providers, then featured a discussion among panelists with expertise on the ground in these areas.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Attendees learned what these public workforce entities do, how they operate, and how to connect with them. They heard real stories and examples of the challenges and solutions for building strong connections to the public workforce system.

PRE READING: The public workforce system includes many components, and we encourage you to become familiar with these existing resources:

• WIOA Workforce Development Boards Fact Sheet provides a brief overview of the key roles and responsibilities of state and local workforce development boards.
• American Job Center Fact Sheet provides a brief overview of the services, resources, and partners associated with these one-stop centers.
• Youth Program Reference Tool is designed for workforce professionals and youth service providers. It offers a deeper dive on how the youth workforce system is structured and governed, and examples for local practitioners and service providers to plan effective comprehensive services for youth and related staff.

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• Posted by: Samantha Doak
• Posted in: Global