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Receive a status report on the progress of implementing the Workforce Development Review recommendations approved by the Board on August 26, 2016
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator recommends that the Board of Supervisor receive a status report of the progress in implementing the recommendations for the July 26, 2016 Workforce Development Review report.
SUMMARY:
In July 2016, the Board of Supervisors received a report reviewing the County’s Workforce Development effort from Patrick Duterte which identified the strengths of the existing workforce development system, looked at weaknesses, reviewed individual programs and potential duplication of services and focused on outcomes and measurable results. The review identified and culminated in fourteen (14) recommendations. This is the progress of implementing the recommendations and includes the concept for sustaining the effort. County staff will also introduce to the Board the key individuals that will help lead this effort going forward.
The full Solano County Workforce Development Review Report is attached for reference.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The County Administrator staff time associated with this item is budgeted within the Department's FY2016/17 budget. Bruce Wagstaff’s total contract is for $49,025 to assist in transitioning the recommended actions into to a sustainable workforce development plan and program. The contract for implementation support service is included in the FY17/18 Recommended Budget for the County Administrator’s Office.
DISCUSSION:
The Board accepted a report and the 14 recommendations intended to improve workforce development efforts and services in late July 2016. The ensuing months entailed presenting the findings of workforce development review and discussing with key the workforce development partners the results of the review. The discussion also included beginning implementation and developing a sustainable approach for the implementation.
On January 4, 2017, over 40 workforce development partners met to discuss the 14 recommendations and begin the steps to implementation. The partners agreed to address the first three recommendations with individual taskforce workgroups and to form an overall steering committee to guide the coordinated efforts and work on:
1) Adopting a Standard Assessment Tool;
2) The Solano County Workforce Stakeholders adopting a practical and useable employer-driven definition of Soft Skills; and.
3) Forming a steering committee of providers and stakeholders to look for opportunities to coordinate, realign services, end duplicative practices and look for opportunities to braid funding and services.
At their January 4, 2017 meeting, the group agreed to establish an initial steering committee and services taskforce and agreed to meet quarterly to receive updates from the taskforces and steering committee and give feedback on progress, and provide periodic updates to the Board of Supervisors and Workforce Development Board.
The Steering Committee was formed and met in February with 16 members representing key constituencies in workforce development. These members include, Solano Community College President, Fairfield/ Suisun Chamber of Commerce President, Central Labor Council Executive Director, Solano Adult Schools Coordinator, County Administrator, EDD Area Director, Solano Economic Development Corporation President, Solano Office of Education, Goodwill Industries Area Coordinator, Children’s Network, Senior Coalition, Solano Librarian, Solano County Probation, Workforce Development Board Representative, Solano Health and Social Services Director, Solano Transportation Executive Director. Four of the partners agreed to share co-chairing this steering committee. (Highlighted Above) It is fitting that this effort is led by Business, Labor and Education leaders.
The three taskforces were formed and include three areas; soft skills, skills assessment, and coordinated activities. Each taskforce has had their initial meeting during the month of March 2017 and laid the foundation of continuing collaboration and agreements.
The presentation before the Board of Supervisors today will include discussion for sustaining this effort and introducing the leaders of the Steering Committee.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to receive the status update on the Workforce Development Review implementation. This is not recommended because this presentation supports efforts to improve workforce development programs in Solano County by enhancing coordination between providers of workforce development services and expanding access to available services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Workforce Development Board, Fairfield/Suisun Adult School, Children’s Network, Solano Family and Children’s Services, Dreamcatchers, LCA (Probation) City of Fairfield, Sheriff, Goodwill, Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce, Caminar Jobs Plus, Solano Economic Development Corporation, Solano County Office of Education, Probation, Solano Public Health, Health and Social Services, Board of Supervisors, Solano County Library, Solano County Adult Education, Northbay Health Care, Solano Transportation Authority, Kaiser Permanente, Six Flags, Solano Community College, City of Vacaville, Central Labor Council, and Senior Coalition are all actively collaborating on workforce development program enhancements
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION