QSRT to be profiled in National Workforce Conference
January 14, 2009
Best practices on workforce-economic development integration will feature local successes in the spotlight at a national conference coming up in Washington DC in early March. The National Association of Workforce Boards conference session is titled, “Aligning Workforce and Economic Development: State and Local Success Stories.”
Factors such as globalization, severe economic downturn, limited resources, critical skills shortages, impending baby boomer retirements and stiff competition for company attraction and retention are contributing to the growing need for communities to build a world class workforce to meet the needs of business and to remain competitive. Given these realities, workforce and economic development cannot continue to operate in silos. Alignment of these two disciplines can increase efficiencies, improve services, leverage resources, enhance a region’s competitiveness, and in turn, develop increased opportunities for residents and businesses.
Attendees for this session can anticipate learning about the challenges, opportunities and success with aligning workforce and economic development to support business and grow the local economy, according to event moderator, Sharon Sewell, Vice President of Workforce Services for Wadley-Donovan GrowthTech LLC. Examples will how two state-level efforts efforts and two local WIBs are melding workforce and economic development activities to meet the needs of business and citizens with great success.
Entities and speakers profiled include the Bonnie Elsey from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Norma Noble from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Jasen Jones from the WIB of Southwest Missouri, and Barbara Kauffmann from the Montgomery County, MD WIB. The conference is slated for March 8th and 9th in DC. More information about the NAWB Forum event is available online.
Go East, young man? Californians look for the exit
January 12, 2009
Years of rising taxes, dead-end schools, unchecked illegal immigration and clogged traffic have robbed the Golden State of its allure, so says an A.P. writer in a feature about migration away from the coasts. Does this trend show potential for growth in the Quad-State area? It’s an intriguing trend that regional planners will continue toclosely monitor. Click here for the full article.
