Annual Report 2006-2007 Workforce development: Turning opportunities into accomplishments Peninsula Council for Workforce Development: Conducting the work of the Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board Peninsula Council for Workforce Development and Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board Executive Committee Chair: Dr. Robert P. Leber, Northrop Grumman Newport News Vice Chair: Sybil Wheatley W.M. Jordan Co. Inc. Robert R. Brown Sr., Robert Brown & Associates Inc. Tracee Carmean, Riverside School of Health Careers Administration Jerome F. Clark, SunTrust Bank Sandy Donaldson, Ferguson Enterprises Keith Potts, Daily Press Dale Stone, Wal-Mart Distribution Center Robert A. Braxton*, councilman, Williamsburg James S. Burgett*, Board of Supervisors, York County Herbert R. Green*, councilman, Poquoson William F. Haskins Jr.*, councilman, Newport News James O. Icenhour Jr.*, Board of Supervisors, James City County Christian D. Rilee*, Board of Supervisors, Gloucester County Paige V. Washington Jr.*, councilman, Hampton *Also members of the Greater Peninsula Workforce Development Consortium (GPWDC) Dr. Charles A. Taylor, president, Thomas Nelson Community College Local government representatives – non-voting Alan K. Archer, assistant city manager, Newport News Charles W. Burgess Jr., city manager, Poquoson Georgette N. Hurley, assistant county administrator, Gloucester County Pete Peterson, assistant city manager, Hampton Douglas Powell, manager of community services, James City County Anne Smith, community services director, York County Peter P. Walentisch, human services director, Williamsburg Non-voting members Joseph Johnson, executive director, New Horizons Regional Education Center John Olson, vice president for academic affairs, ECPI College of Technology LaSandra H. Owens, human resources manager, Pressure Systems Inc. General members of the Council Alvin Anderson, Kaufman & Canoles Keith Arnold, BB& T Dick Ashe, American Eastern Paul B. Babcock, The Arc of the Virginia Peninsula Inc. Laura Barnes, Verizon Communications Charles E. Brinley, Dominion Terminal Associates Rhonda Bunn, Canon Virginia Inc. Kimberly L. Christner, Beck Co. Daniel Cooper, Electronic Systems Craig Cope, Liberty Property Trust William B. Downey, Riverside Regional Medical Center Adrian G. Duplantier Jr., 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union Cathie France, Virginia Natural Gas Rick Gallaer, The Pomoco Group Inc. Gordon Gentry Jr., Towne Bank Rick Hammond, Canon Virginia Inc. Mike Herron, Inside Business Melissa T. Hespenhide, Daily Press Danny Hunley, Northrop Grumman Newport News Ann Hunnicutt, Pembroke Construction Co. Inc. Michelle Jacobs, The Lee Group Dottie Jordan, Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Karen Kennedy, Karen Kennedy Insurance Agency Ken LaVoie, Branscome Construction Gary M. Massie, Jack L. Massie Contractor Inc. Brian McNelis, Anheuser Busch Susan Milhoan, Retail Alliance Charles Mitchell, Zel Technologies John A. Munick Jr., Drucker & Falk Bryan A. Norsworthy, Hudgins Contracting Corp. Vernon Page, Resource Bank Patricia L. Robertson, Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health Systems, Mary Immaculate Hospital Robert F. Shuford Sr, The Old Point National Bank Dick Steinberg, Mall Properties Mike Suttle III, Suttle Motor Corp. Raymond Tripp, Mall Properties Harvey E. Weinstein, The Commonwealth Co. William Whitley, Gloucester County Matt Yarborough, Giant Industries Yorktown Refinery Jean M. Yokum, Langley Federal Credit Union Joseph M. Ziglar Jr., Chesapeake Masonry Corp. Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board members: Robert Baker, Howmet Castings David Bruckheimer, Pembroke Construction Kristin H. Craft, Anheuser Busch Inc., Williamsburg Brewery William M. Grace, Grace Industries Inc. Mary Greenman, 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union Dudley Harris, Harris Power & Equipment Dave Herring, Canon Virginia Inc. Kim Maloney, Williamsburg Pottery Factory Shawn Overbey, Jones, Blechman, Woltz and Kelly, P.C. Scott Ramer, AVID Medical Gregory M. Richardson, Goodman & Co. Billy Scruggs, Fife and Drum Inn Richard L. Sindy, Kinyo Virginia Inc. Mark Stefanick, Wolseley North America Bessie Willis, West Corp. Dr. Deborah G. Wright (alternate), Thomas Nelson Community College James W. Avery, Virginia Peninsula Central Labor Council Kenneth S. Lewis, United Steelworkers of America Local 8888 Robert W. Hershberger, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance Dottie Jordan, Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Herbert R. Green Jr., Greater Peninsula Workforce Development Consortium Joseph L. Hopkins, Virginia Employment Commission Roger E. McDaniels, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services Sylvia Copeland-Murphy, Newport News Redevelopment & Housing Authority Richard L. Sorey, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired John Hornbeck Jr., Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Non-voting staff Dr. Edward (Ned) Carr, executive director, Peninsula Worklink One-Stop System PCFWD staff Matthew James, president and CEO Shawn Avery, workforce development manager Jeanne Smith, executive assistant Carolyn Tarrant, senior office assistant Rita Bond, administrative assistant GPWDC staff William H. Mann Jr., executive director Gary Butler, deputy director Terri Partain, manager finance Cathy Ellis, office manager Denise Parker, MIS technician Executive Committee and members Transitioning concepts into reality The PCFWD and GPWIB annual meeting last September was held at the Marriott Hotel City Center in Newport News. Attendees included ( from left) Matthew James, Turner M. Spencer, Sybil Wheatley, Billy S. Scruggs, Jay T. Harrison, William Mann and Dr. Robert Leber. T he past year has been both a busy and productive time for workforce development initiatives in the Greater Peninsula region. This annual report highlights many of those activities and accomplishments that are helping to increase the quality and quantity of our region’s skilled workforce. The Peninsula Council for Workforce Development’s No. 1 mission is to identify the workforce development needs of Peninsula-based employers in Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and Williamsburg, and the counties of York, Gloucester and James City. Once determined, the Council sets its sights on implementing regional solutions through partnerships with training and education providers that specifically address these needs. As a 501(c)(6) nonprofit regional organization, the Council is governed by a 17-member executive committee of nine representatives from the private business community, seven local elected officials (one from each jurisdiction) and the president of Thomas Nelson Community College. In addition to its role as a regional “business-driven” workforce development system, the Council also serves as administrative staff to the Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board (GPWIB). Like the Council, the GPWIB helps to identify solutions for the region’s current and future workforce needs. Adhering to Workforce Investment Act’s (WIA) guidelines, the GPWIB doesn’t operate the various programs. Instead, it focuses on strategic planning to improve coordination and leverage the impact of WIA-funded workforce development dollars. Last year, the Council and GPWIB merged their governing bodies into one cohesive executive committee. This year, we will continue the streamlining process as we consolidate the staffs of the Council and the Greater Peninsula Workforce Development Consortium. The Consortium serves as the grant recipient for all WIA funds allocated to the Greater Peninsula region. When completed, this consolidation will result in a significant increase in system-wide efficiencies. It also will make additional resources available to expand and increase the impact of our workforce development initiatives. I want to extend particular thanks to those individuals and employers involved in the projects mentioned in this report, for without your effort and support the progress achieved during the past 12 months would be impossible. Finally, I encourage all of you to get involved and help transition more wonderful concepts and ideas into reality. — Dr. Robert P. Leber, chair, PCFWD and GPWIB Turning opportunities Web site is up and running of the cafés are also Newport News Public Schools and Hampton Public Schools, which have each donated computers and supplies to the cafés and support a full-time staff member. Hampton Public Schools has been especially helpful in promoting the Youth Career Café’s services to students citywide. I n September, the Council officially launched its Web site at www. pcfwd.org. A much-needed communication tool, the site is designed to encourage employers, educators and jobseekers to use it to connect to and access resources provided by a variety of strategic partners. An events calendar lists workshops, job fairs, training sessions and more that can help individuals better themselves professionally. There are also links to connect businesses that want to get more involved with the overall workforce picture. They can sign up online to become a Council member and check out who’s already on board. The BizEd Partnership section, created to help businesses and other interested groups interact with area schools, is a result of a Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commercesponsored summit held last fall. It was developed by Newport News Public Schools and PCFWD to provide a positive outlet for businesses and employees who want to give back to the community. $5 million grant will create pipeline for highgrowth, high-wage jobs Two Youth Career Cafés double opportunities T he Youth Career Café came into its own this year, following its successful launch in May 2006 at the former Coliseum Mall in Hampton. In February, the Hampton facility relocated to NetCenter, formerly New Market Fair Mall. A second café opened its doors for business in June 2007 at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, expanding the program’s efforts of offering its services to Peninsula youth ages 14 to 21. The cafés are fashioned to link business, education and community to help youth explore job options, learn about career opportunities and acquire workforce readiness skills. The success of the two Peninsula locations has gotten more than a nod from Gov. Tim Kaine. PCFWD received $100,000 from the governor’s WIA Discretionary Fund to expand cafés on the Peninsula and develop a business model for other Virginia localities to use to create their own. This past year, 1,765 students were served at the two cafés, which offered help for everything from filling out financial aid forms and scholarship applications to learning about proper business attire and finding a job. A total of 198 hours of tutoring were offered and 80 youth were successfully placed at a job or educational facility. Area companies have stepped up to the plate to assist young people at both locations, donating materials and logging well more than 100 volunteer hours to help prepare the emerging workforce. Companies that have been particularly active include Northrop Grumman Apprenticeship School, Ferguson Enterprises, Branscome Inc., Advex Corp., Teledyne Corp., Howmet Castings, Riverside Regional Medical Center, Thomas Nelson Community College, 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union, ECPI, Chick-fil-A, Piccadilly Cafeteria, Busch Gardens and Holiday Inn. An integral part of the success P rogram year 2006 ended with a bang this June when the U.S. Department of Labor awarded Virginia a three-year, $5 million grant to help reposition the economy of southeastern Virginia by preparing workers for new, high-wage jobs in the port, transportation, and modeling and simulation industries. The Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant will help fund the Southeastern Virginia Partnership for Regional Transformation (SEVAPORT), comprising 24 cities and counties extending from Hampton Roads to the Petersburg area. SEVAPORT works to develop worker training opportunities for those people impacted by recent military realignments, as well as job cuts in the automotive industry. The partnership — led by PCFWD, Opportunity Inc. and the Crater Regional Workforce Investment Board — will link public schools, twoand four-year colleges and universities, existing businesses, and the economic development community. Its aim is to prepare BRAC-affected and displaced Ford workers for jobs in ports, transportation, distribution, warehousing, and modeling and simulation. Workforce d into accomplishments Peninsula Worklink restructures to meet challenges 2 006 was a year of change and restructuring for Peninsula Worklink, the Peninsula’s regional system of One-Stop career centers. The award-winning system expanded its services to become more employer and business focused by developing training initiatives for incumbent employees of partnering agencies. These pilot programs will be expanded in 2007 and offered to a wide range of local businesses and non-profit agencies. Peninsula Worklink has been restructured to provide a business services section that emphasizes business development, job placement and customized business services. Many of these changes were initiated in summer 2006, when NEXStep funds were depleted and the highly successful military spouses’ employment program ended. Subsequently, Peninsula Worklink closed its offices at four military installations and reduced coverage at two other locations. Its budget and full-time staff were reduced by about a third. Despite these adjustments, Peninsula Worklink continued to provide employment services to more than 20,000 customers in Hampton, Williamsburg and Newport News. In particular, 265 people received intensive support including individual attention and counseling. Nearly 50 percent of these received training vouchers of up to $4,000 to help them secure training and employment in the new high-skilled, high-technology workforce. In all, nearly $500,000 was provided to help people seek training and build their skills during PY 2006. A new in-house training program was designed to help job seekers hone personal and employment skills. The Workforce Interpersonal Skills Certification (WISC) involves three full days of training on topics ranging from interviewing skills and teamwork in the workplace to resume writing and overcoming barriers to employment. Nearly 110 people completed WISC training and 91 percent of those seeking immediate employment were successful within a month. This program is now required for all registered WIA customers in 2007. In addition to WISC, Peninsula Worklink formed a Job Club that meets once a month to keep job seekers motivated and apprised of the latest job openings in the local community. Area businesses provide guest speakers at each meeting during the year. The Greater Peninsula Workforce Development Consortium provides fiscal and performance oversight of the Peninsula Worklink system. The Consortium staff also provides Worklink staff with management information system support and related technical assistance. Academies strengthen the industries I ndustry partners within the construction and financial clusters were busy this year bolstering their respective academies. The Peninsula Construction Academy was formed to increase competition for the construction industry while enhancing recruitment, development and retention for area businesses. The program offers entry-level handson training for high school juniors and seniors, as well as advancement programs for construction company managers at all levels. It was made possible through a partnership between the Council, New Horizons Regional Education Center, Thomas Nelson Community College and construction industry partners. The Financial Services Academy, a six-week program for juniors and seniors at Menchville High School, wrapped up its third successful session this past spring. Offered as part of the school’s Virtual Enterprise class, it covers money and banking, customer service, written and oral communications, sales, financial service ethics and laws. Volunteer instructors from 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union, Langley Federal Credit Union, Old Point National Bank and the Virginia Educators Credit Union joined forces with Council personnel to teach the various sessions. After the students completed the program, they were interviewed by banking professionals and some even landed a job. development Accomplishments accrue, thanks to successful partnerships “ As we move forward and build on the successes and accomplishments of 20062007, we will persevere to keep the momentum strong in the coming year. We’ve come a long way to promote workforce development as a combined system on the Peninsula. As we realign and consolidate the expertise of the PCFWD and GPWDC, we will continue to be a model for the region, state and nation.” I • • • • • • • — Sybil Wheatley, vice chair, PCFWD and GPWIB • t was a very productive year for the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development and the Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board. Collectively, they helped to promote programs and initiatives that substantially increased the quality and quantity of the region’s skilled workforce by bringing together business, government, education and labor through a variety of successful partnerships: The Youth Career Café in Hampton transitioned from the Coliseum Mall to NetCenter, and a second Youth Career Café opened at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News. The Council received a $100,000 grant from the Governor’s WIA Discretionary Fund to expand the popular cafés and develop a business model for other Virginia localities. The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Newport News Public Schools partnered with PCFWD on the Business & Education Partnership Summit. The outcome included a new pilot program to enhance resource-sharing between Newport News Public Schools and the business community via links on the www.pcfwd.org Web site. PCFWD and GPWIB served as one of the leads in developing the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) proposal, a $5 million regional grant project that comprises three workforce investment areas and has more than 65 partners. Greater Peninsula Workforce Development Consortium partnered with the Small Business Development Center on the “Peninsula FORT Report,” a survey of the Peninsula small business communities that assesses the impact of the closing of Fort Monroe and the realignment of Fort Eustis. Peninsula Worklink, the Peninsula’s regional system of One-Stop career centers, initiated the Workforce Interpersonal Skills Certification (WISC), an in-house training program that enrolled more than 100 people, 91 percent of whom found a job within one month of completing the program. To further assist job seekers, a Job Club also was formed that meets once a month. Several cash grants were awarded: - $5,000 from Hampton Youth Coalition to develop a “youth-orientated” employmentopportunity Web site. - $5,000 from Howmet Castings, a subsidiary of Alcoa in Hampton, to promote manufacturing-focused efforts at the Youth Career Cafés. - $25,000 from Northrop Grumman Newport News to support the Youth Career Cafés. - $1,000 from Wal-Mart. - $5,000 from the Virginia Career Education Foundation. Cluster activities included: - The “Peninsula Construction Academy” program was launched, thanks to a partnership between New Horizon Regional Education Center, Thomas Nelson Community College and construction industry partners. - More than 300 people attended four customer service training workshops sponsored by the hospitality cluster and held in fall 2006 and spring 2007. - The third successful session of the Financial Services Academy, a six-week program for junior and seniors at Menchville High School, was coordinated by financial cluster volunteers and supported by 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union, Langley Federal Credit Union, Old Point National Bank and the Virginia Educators Credit Union. - A manufacturing industry forum/breakfast, sponsored by PCFWD and Southeast Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Pipeline, was attended by 30-plus manufacturers. Milestones 2006-2007 Program Year 2006: Federally funded programs in review T he local elected officials representing the seven localities that comprise the Greater Peninsula Workforce Development Consortium serve as the Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board’s grant recipient to disburse federal funds allocated to support this region’s workforce service delivery system. Given this responsibility, they share a particular interest with the Board in assessing the results achieved by local programs supported with these federal funds. During Program Year 2006, the Consortium — through contracts with local service providers — oversaw the expenditure of more than $2.3 million in federal funds. The source of these revenues included: • Workforce Investment Act funds, used to support the region’s One-Stop system (Peninsula Worklink) and in/outof-school youth programs; • A National Emergency Grant (NEG) to provide One-Stop services to dislocated military spouses; • A second NEG to carry out planning activities in response to military troop realignments and a base closure; • And an H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant to support the Southeastern Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Program (SEVAMP). PY ’06 WIA preliminary actual performance data was recently published by the state. These measures apply to those programs supported with WIA funds, which locally include One-Stop services provided by Thomas Nelson Community College and youth services provided by New Horizons Regional Education Center and the Hampton and Newport News Public School divisions. According to the data, these programs exceeded targeted performance levels for all 17 measures. This represents an improvement over PY ’05 performance where local programs met one and exceeded 16 of the measures. PY ’06 was the close-out year of the NEG providing One-Stop services to dislocated military spouses through a program called NEXStep. During this final year, emphasis was placed on helping individuals previously enrolled in training to complete their instruction and obtain employment. By the end of PY ’06, the program had served over the past five years 799 participants, achieving an 81 percent credential rate, a 59 percent employment rate, a 92 percent employment retention rate, a $12.43 average wage rate and a 118 percent earnings replacement rate. The purpose of the second NEG was to determine the economic and workforce impacts that would result from the closure of Ft. Monroe and troop realignments planned at Ft. Eustis. With these funds, the Consortium and Board were able to partner with the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) and the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center (HRSBDC) to produce two new reports. The HRPDC report assessed the impact of the anticipated military base adjustments on the Peninsula’s economy, while the HRSBDC report surveyed the needs of the small business communities likely to be impacted by these changes. It is anticipated that both of these reports will be very useful in preparing to meet the challenges these changes will bring. Finally, the end of PY ’06 saw SEVAMP continue to make significant progress in helping the area’s manufacturers find the skilled workforce they require. During the last quarter of the year, the program facilitated 422 placements in 12 companies — bringing the cumulative placement total to 2,661 individuals. Likewise, the program was successful in establishing working relationships with 50 different companies on the Peninsula. — The Honorable Herbert R. Green, chair, GPWDC Workforce Development Partners on the Peninsula 2006-2007 BB&T, Old Point National Bank, SunTrust Bank, 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union, Virginia Educators Credit Union, Langley Federal Credit Union, Thomas Nelson Community College, New Horizons Regional Education Center, Pembroke Construction, Wilder Mechanical, Trades International, Associated General Contractors, Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Walsh Electric, Branscome Inc., Northrop Grumman Newport News, Wal-Mart, Peninsula Community Development Corp., A.M. Savedge Co., Warwick Plumbing & Heating Corp., Colonial Webb, Hudgins Contracting, E.V. Williams, Villa Development, J.D. Hammond Inc., Harris Power & Equipment, Consolidated Bank & Trust Co., Riverside School of Health Careers, Sentara Healthcare System, Governors Inn Estate Assisted Living, Coliseum Park, Suburban/Candlewood Suites, Hampton Inn, Newport News Tourism Development Office, Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau, Norfolk State University, Red Roof Inn, Quality Inn, Virginia Living Museum, Arrow Inn, Point Plaza Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Econo Lodge (Allen Management), Radisson Hotel, Omni Hotel, Days Inn - Oyster Point, Marriott - City Center, Hampton Bay Plaza & Suites, MAACO, Pomoco, Hudgins Chevrolet, Virginia Auto Dealers Association, Casey Auto Group, Suttle Motor Co., The Mariners’ Museum, Oyster Point Construction Co., Witt Mares PLC, Clancy & Theys Construction Co., Bay Electric Co., Virginia Peninsula Tech Prep Consortium, Virginia EEOC Office, Virginia Career Education Foundation: Know How Virginia, ECPI College of Technology, CISCO Systems Academy, Williamsburg Chrysler Jeep Kia Dealership, Sentara Careplex, Thomas Nelson Southeast Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Pipeline Project, Coliseum Mall, Public Wi-Fi Project, Hampton City Schools 21st Century Learning Programs, Insync Partnerships, Hampton City Schools Career and Technical Education Department, Junior League of Hampton Roads, Craig Jones Paints, Northrop Grumman Newport News Apprentice School, Modern Environments, Creative Office Designs, Hampton Coalition for Youth, Business Volunteer Council of the Peninsula, Hampton City Schools, Peninsula Worklink, Thomas Nelson Community College Office of Outreach and Recruitment, Ferguson Enterprises, Hampton Coalition for Youth, Alternatives Inc., Gloucester County Schools, Newport News City Schools, Poquoson Public Schools, York County Public Schools, Williamsburg/James City County Schools, City of Hampton Department of Economic Development, W.M. Jordan Co., Riverside Health System, West Corp., Alcoa Howmet, Kelly Services, Advex Corp., Kara Hughes Designs, City of Newport News Local Access Channel, U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, NASA, West Teleservices, Newport News Office on Children, Youth & Families, Junior Achievement, WTKR-TV, Opportunity Inc., Newport News Hospitality Association, Newport News Tourism Development Office, Virginia Employment Commission, Inside Business, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, Hampton University, Newport News Department of Development, Old Dominion University, Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, Greater Peninsula Workforce Development Consortium, VECTEC, Governor’s Office for Workforce Development, Virginia Workforce Council and … we apologize to anyone we unintentionally left off this list. Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board For more information, contact: Peninsula Council for Workforce Development 21 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 200 Hampton, VA 23666-6413 Phone: (757) 826-3327 Fax: (757) 826-6706 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.pcfwd.org The cost of this report was paid for with Workforce Investment Act Funds made available by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, through the Commonwealth of Virginia, to the Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board (Local Workforce Investment Area 14).
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