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LWIB work plan to be developed
Stakeholders in the Aroostook Washington Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB) will be taking the next few months to create a five-year work plan, now that the U.S. Department of Labor has issues its local plan guidance and instructions for program years 2012-2016.
"The local plan becomes the guiding document for the local workforce board and service providers in implementing the requirements for job training in our two counties," said Ryan Pelletier, director
Economic and Workforce Development Division, Northern Maine Development Commission. "It gives policy makers and stakeholders an opportunity to weigh in on where and how public investments are being made to address the needs of unemployed and dislocated workers."
The elements in the local plan must represent the vision, goals, economic and workforce information analyses, strategies and outcomes that the Chief Elected Office and strategic partners collaboratively identify for the future of the LWIB.
In addition to strategy, an operational plan will make clear how specific workforce programs will operate, administer, implement and monitor systems and structures to achieve the vision in the strategic plan.
The timeline for developing the local plan calls for it to be posted for public comment by Nov. 29 to allow the LWIB sufficient time to address comments. The deadline for the Maine Department of Labor to receive local plans from the LWIBs for review.
"We will be drafting sections of the plan over the next couple of months and are in the process of forming work groups to assist with the work," said Pelletier.
Maine is comprised of four workforce investment regions. The Aroostook and Washington counties region is the largest geographic workforce investment area in the state and covers more than 9,000 square miles. Some of the responsibilities of the Economic and Workforce Development Division include planning, overseeing, and evaluating local workforce development programs, including the CareerCenter operations in Presque Isle, Machias and Calais.
In addition, LWIB staff direct Workforce Investment Act (WIA) compliance through interactions and negotiations with the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services and through CareerCenter oversight.
The LWIB also partners with the economic development community to promote the region's economic prosperity
and serves as the point of contact for business and industry, facilitating communications regarding workforce needs in our area. Through this collaboration, the LWIB assess regional business needs and aligns programs and services to meet those needs; thereby ensuring the availability of qualified workers and promoting coordination among business and the public sector.
The LWIB is also charged by law to implement a comprehensive workforce development system that adds value for job seekers, incumbent workers and employers. Included in this plan is the promotion of strategies to encourage life-long learning, improve workplace skills and assist in the development of new training programs to benefit the region's workforce.
And finally, LWIB staff actively seeks federal and state grant funds and builds partnerships with other agencies to offer training and education programs to unemployed, incumbent and dislocated workers and youth in the region.
The fiscal administration of the WIA transferred to Northern Maine Development Commission in February 2010.
For more information, contact Pelletier at rpelletier@nmdc.org or by phone at (207) 498-8736.
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