Quarter One 2006—Issue Number 35

Congratulations to U.S. Department of Labor WIRED Grantees Including the Dream It. Do It. Pilot Region of Kansas City
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded 13 regions around the country approximately $15 million each over a three-year period under the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative. The goal of the WIRED initiative is to transform regional economies by fostering coalitions that cross political jurisdictions and are committed to preparing workers for high-skilled, high-wage opportunities of the future. The Kansas City regional effort was led, in part, by the Alliance for Innovation in Manufacturing-Kansas City (AIM-KC), the organization established in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers and The Manufacturing Institute to lead the Dream It. Do It. pilot. For more information on the WIRED grants go to DOL WIRED. For more information on the Dream It. Do It. campaign, go to Dream It. Do It.

Workforce Intermediaries Have Created a Dual-Customer Approach to Workforce Development
Workforce intermediaries (WIs), organizations seeking to meet the needs of employers as well as job seekers and workers, have advanced the process by which workforce development is accomplished. For an in-depth look at workforce intermediaries such as basic questions and answers, types of intermediaries, best practices, how they are funded, and more go to CAEL Winter Forum. Within this issue is a specific look at Employer Associations (EAs), with close ties to business and industry, as one type of workforce intermediary. This article spotlights innovative models the Center for Workforce Success intermediaries have developed to meet the workforce needs of their members. For the complete article, go to EAs as WIs.

Report Details the Role of Small and Medium Manufacturers in America's Economy
A new report released by the National Association of Manufacturers, The Manufacturing Institute and RSM McGladrey underscores how small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) are playing an increasingly important role in the nation's industrial economy--despite unprecedented challenges. While SMMs have many competitive strengths such as proximity, flexibility and innovation, they also face high costs, evolving technology and educational and workforce skills deficiencies. The report identifies 15 characteristic best practices that are key to success for SMMs in today's global market. To read the full report, go to SMM Report.

Toolkit Helps Assess Business Benefits of Workforce Development Training
The Workforce Strategies Initiative (WSI) at the Aspen Insitute has developed a toolkit that helps assess the benefits businesses receive from hiring workers trained by sectoral workforce development programs. These are initiatives that meet the workforce needs of specific industry sectors such as the two currently being conducted by the Center for Workforce Success with NAM-allied associations. One is with the Precision Metalforming Association in Minnesota and the other is with the Power Transmission Distributors Association in Ohio. Tested in manufacturing as well as health care workplaces, the "Business Value Assessment Toolkit" includes a planning handbook and automated Excel file for tracking such business outcomes as reduced turnover costs, efficiency gains, skills increases, reduced supervisor time, etc. The toolkit is free with registration at toolkit.

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Holds Roundtable on Competitiveness: Building and Filling the Pipeline
Seeking best practices that assure success for secondary and postsecondary students, Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee, held a roundtable that included representatives from education and industries on Feb. 16, 2006. NAM member, Erick Ajax, Vice President of EJ Ajax & Sons, Inc., a small manufacturer in Minneapolis, Minn., testified to the success his company is experiencing by adopting a commitment to life-long learning and continuous improvement. Mr. Ajax said his company invests 5 percent of total payroll in education and training. He said his company has experienced 25 percent growth in the past year. Mr. Ajax stated that his company's participation in a sector workforce development initiative with The Manufacturing Institute/Center for Workforce Success and the NAM allied association, Precision Metalforming Association, has prov ided a source of qualified candidates. To view the roundtable proceedings go to HELP Roundtable.