Item 09 - Biennial Modification to the PY 2021-24 Regional and Local Workforce Plan

Home Browse Search

Orange RPU 2023 Biennial Modification to PY 2021-24 Regional Plan 28 classifications, there are many opportunities to secure positions offering higher compensation. The challenge is ensuring those in entry-level positions obtain additional job-specific and English-language skills necessary to qualify for promotional opportunities. Career pathway programs and incumbent worker training are workforce development strategies that can play an essential role in lifting people from lower-wage jobs. B. Sector Strategies and Other Industry-Focused Initiatives Orange RPU started the region’s sector partnership work under a “Slingshot” grant funded by the California Workforce Development Board. The RPU engaged a consultant who is a national leader in the design and practice of next-generation industry engagement. This early work guided the launch of industry sector partnerships (ISPs) in the RPU’s four priority sectors using the “Next Gen Sector Partnership” model. The first industry collaboration meetings occurred just before the COVID-19 pandemic. These meetings represented a starting point for partnerships to deepen and grow over the next several years. The RPU had participation from core partners, employers, chambers, and unions. While this work stalled over the pandemic, the Orange RPU Regional Organizer will continue to lead the sector partnership work, which has three-fold goals: 1. Conduct regular sector partnership meetings with employers to identify common industry priorities, address shared vitality issues, and understand hiring and training needs to create a pipeline of qualified candidates in growth industries and other promising sectors. 2. Develop workforce strategies in collaboration with adult education, community colleges, and other partners, including mapping career pathways, work-based learning, and apprenticeship programs. 3. Unify and coordinate business engagement efforts by all partners to minimize duplication of efforts, minimize employer fatigue, and promote systemic change that benefits each industry, its workers, and the community. To address upward income mobility and improve economic self-sufficiency, continuous and authentic industry leadership and shifts in workforce strategies are needed to transition low-skill job seekers into middle-skill careers and address underemployment in the region. The pandemic has slowed the industry sector’s work progress. The RPU remains committed to re-engaging employers and partners and building upon the industry sector work that was begun before the outbreak of COVID-19. The RPU will work in close collaboration with the community college system through the Orange County Regional Consortium (OCRC) to convene industry leaders. OCRC provides a regional framework to communicate, coordinate, collaborate, promote, and plan career and technical education in concert with workforce and economic development in the Orange County region. OCRC represents nine community colleges and one stand- alone continuing education (noncredit) center within four community college districts. The EXHIBIT 1