Agenda - 06-07-2016-13-6 - Information Item - Regional Partnership Workforce Development Board 2014-2015 Annual Report

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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR The Regional Partnership Workforce Development Board is pleased to present the 2014-2015 Annual Report covering the timespan from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. The report is intended to provide accurate information concerning activi- Vision ties and services delivered by our contractors that are awarded Workforce Innova- tion and Opportunity Act (WIOA) contracts. The Workforce Development Board provides oversight of WIOA funds and five NC Works Career Centers while helping To be make recommendations for effective service delivery. recognized as the The fiscal year resulted in numerous substantial changes to the federal and state catalyst workforce delivery system. The most important being the passage of the Workforce between Investment Act (WIA) to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This is the first major Workforce legislation since the 1998 Workforce Investment individuals' Act. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was created to provide education and state and local areas the flexibility to collaborate across systems in an effort to bet- training and ter address the employment and skills needs of current employees, jobseekers, employers' and employers. WIOA is vital to the modernization of the nation's workforce devel- needs through opment system. WIOA introduces a renewed system which will ensure access for the effective all individuals, of every skill level, the opportunity to pursue the skills, training, and education they need to obtain employment that will lead to financial stability and utilization economic security for themselves and their families. Employers will also have the of available assurance that trained and qualified workers will be available to fill their current and resources." future openings. Regional Partnership has embraced these changes, as we pre- pare our Career Center staff for the new system. The year in review presents many wonderful success stories that shine as a re- minder that the service we provide matters to the individuals we serve. I am very thankful and appreciative of our NC Works Career Centers staff, their commitment and affinity to fulfill the Regional Partnership Workforce mission is exemplary. In closing I leave you with a quote that resounds the service we provide. "Successful economic development strategy must focus on improving the skills of the area's workforce, reducing the cost of doing business and making available the resources business needs to compete and thrive in today's global economy."—Rod Blagojevich Thank you for your support, and I wish our region continued prosperity in the year to come. Sincerely, `j Ricardo Romero, Chair � • ' , r1-4 Regional Partnership W fi ORKFORCE Development Board 4 Annual Report 2014-2015