Economic/Workforce Development

The goal within this system is to utilize current systems of workforce preparation in order to effectively align common goals and resources and deliver services, education and/or training to students and adults countywide. The Alliance for Education has aligned common goals with Regional Occupational Programs (ROP), secondary and post-secondary career/technical education, the Economic Development Department, the county’s Workforce Development Department, and county and city Workforce Investment Boards. Students and adults will access these resources through a countywide clearinghouse website link that has been developed. Designing smoother transitions from each grade level and entrance into and completion of post-secondary education/training or the workforce advisories increases the realization of an educated and skilled community. The West End Workforce Opportunity Regional Collaborative (WEWORC) has served as the model for advisories replicated in the East Valley region, East Valley Job Opportunity Board (EVJOB) and in the High Desert region, High Desert Job Opportunity Board (HDJOB). Relying on several resources, including research by noted local economist, Dr John Husing, these monthly regional advisories communicate to key education and workforce training providers the current labor market trends and needed skill sets for local business and industry.

The key elements within this system component are:

• Regional economic and business advisories that provide quick response to local business needs and inform educators and training providers of employment trends, needs and skills sets;

• Partnership with the County’s Workforce Development Department and the Economic Development Agency to provide business resource specialists that connect the business community with education to accomplish work-based learning opportunities: Internships, job shadowing, mentoring, advisories;

• Development of new or enhanced career technical education/ROP programs that meet workforce needs, aligning academic and career/technical standards to prepare a well-educated and skilled workforce;

• Partnership with Project Lead The Way (PLTW).

• Development and maintenance of a “Workforce Access Matrix” list available on the website clearinghouse. Everyone at some point in his or her life needs assistance to learn the skills to be successful in their career of choice. The Alliance for Education helps connect those desiring to continue their education and training to one of the many training providers in San Bernardino County.)