Certifies Work Ready Communities: A tool for Economic Development COIC Board November 1, 2012
Presenters Sally Sorenson, MEDISISS Inc., Redmond Jon Stark, Redmond Economic Development Inc., Redmond Andrew Spreadborough, COIC
Presentation Overview Part 2: Review of Certified Work Ready Communities Outcomes from Georgia ROI discussion Economic Development perspective Business perspective Next steps
The Foundation: NCRC ACT s nationally recognized, portable foundational skills certification Three proctored tests: applied math, applied reading, locating information 4 levels of certification: bronze, silver, gold, platinum Based on analysis of over 18,000 jobs A d f ll di b h A i Approved for college credit by the American Council on Education
NCRC in Oregon OBC, OBA got it into Oregon statute November 2010 Governor announces Back to Work Oregon as part of an economic development strategy Governor s 10 Year Plan for Jobs and the Economy OWIB, Local Area Workforce plans 19K+ certificates issued to date 8 b i f did i h 850+ businesses now prefer candidates with NCRC
Certified Work Ready Communities Program provides a nationally-recognized process for certifying counties as work ready, which means the county has a quality workforce and commitment to continuous improvement. Communities must achieve certain educational, workforce development and business engagement goals in order to earn the certification. Based on quantifiable measures NCRC, educational attainment, business participation, potentially others.
Why CWRC? Creates a competitive advantage in today s economy Documents talent pool Expands talent pool Help industry understand the talent pool An education, workforce and economic development strategy A way for communities to engage in developing the competitiveness of its industries based on the skills of its workers
Criteria for Oregon Work Ready Communities Geographic Designation by county Oregon WRC Certification criteria: 1. NCRC holders in three workforce categories (Emerging, Transitional and Current) by county 2. Employer Letters of Commitment by county 3. 25% of Emerging and Transitional workforce receive a Soft Skills Assessment by county 4. 25% of Employer Letters of Commitment preferring a Soft Skills Assessment by county
The Certification Process Component of the Oregon Workforce Investment Board Oregon Workforce Development Vision & Strategic Plan Through this planning process, local workforce areas designate counties for three implementation ti cohorts: Phase 1: January 1, 2013 launch Phase 2: July 1, 2013 launch Phase 3: July 1, 2014 launch Goal: 36 counties in process by 2014. Two-year certification process.
Measuring success: Iowa Iowa Workforce Development Partnership conducted 2012 study to determine NCRC outcomes Outcomes: On a quarterly basis, 54%-63% of recipients secured employment within the first quarter following certification Top 3 industries i to employ NCRC recipients i are manufacturing, administrative and support, and retail trade Wages increased for those employed within the 2 quarters following receipt of NCRC Unemployed silver certificate recipients secured employment much more quickly than bronze. Most of the unemployed certificate holders secured employment within 3 quarters
Measuring success: Georgia 93% of Certificate holders would recommend Copyright 2012 ACT, Inc. All rights reserved
Measuring success: Georgia 97% of participating businesses would recommend Copyright 2012 ACT, Inc. All rights reserved
Economic Development Why ycwrc? C There is a reason Georgia leads the country in workforce through numerous Best Places studies America s Top States, CNBC 2012 Workforce skill and availability tops the list for site considerations across most industry sectors EDCO industry research As Central Oregon looks to build on it s education infrastructure, we look to new ways to demonstrate our region s talent to new and emerging g business Oregon has already determined we have a skill gap - CWRC helps us better define it Soft skills assessment availability
Central Oregon Why CWRC? Sweet spot is engaging the education system such that they respond to the skills gap They no longer have to ask employers of their workforce skill deficiencies Employers respond through incumbent worker training Foundational knowledge and skills related to job tasks are leading predictors of workplace success Natural Progression to region s NCRC success
Central Oregon Business Perspective Started in Central Oregon in 1997 Registered Third-Party Medical Device Reprocessor of Single-Use Devices (SUD s) Rapid increase in demand for reprocessing nationwide, resulting in increased hiring: 2009 = 38% 2010 = 21% 2011 = 14% 2012 = 19% (thru Sept.) Adding 2 nd shift in Production 1 st Quarter 2013 NCRC helps identify qualified candidates for Production Tech positions
Moving Forward Central Oregon Implementation Team meeting November 6 Oregon Launch Oregon Business Summit December 3 in Portland Central Oregon in the running for Phase 1 implementation If selected, will begin implementation in January, 2013
Questions?