The WIFI sTargeted Occupational Programs & Training For All Industries

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1 Action Item 1 * * * * * * * * * * * Targeted Occupations List BACKGROUND Florida s Workforce Estimating Conference (WEC) annually identifies high skill / high wage / high demand occupations to make job training market-based to meet the needs of business (economic development). The WEC develops the official state demand occupations list based on industry and occupational employment projections and wages prepared by the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistics office. Workforce Florida, through its Targeted Occupations Ad Hoc Committee, utilizes the WEC s Statewide Demand List to define specific occupations needed for the workforce system and through a defined process to gather regional input develops and publishes a regional Targeted Occupations List (TOL) annually. Once developed and approved, this TOL governs the provision of training programs being offered by regional boards to individuals needing training assistance within the workforce system in compliance with federal and state law. These lists are used primarily to direct state and federal funds to workforce training programs that prepare individuals for targeted occupations. During a TOL meeting July 2, 2009, the WFI s Targeted Occupations List Committee was presented with requests by RWB 13 and RWB 12 which would require changes in current WFI Board policy. After discussion, the Committee unanimously felt the issues should be presented to the full board for consideration. At the WFI Board of Directors meeting on August 13 it was noted that the Targeted Occupations List Committee was an Ad Hoc Committee under the Business Competitiveness Council and that recommendations for changes to Workforce Florida policy and/or state law should first be deliberated by the Business Competiveness Council. If necessary, the Council would develop recommendations for consideration by WFI s Executive Committee or Board of Directors. Issue 1: Allow funding to be used to fund baccalaureate and graduate degree programs. RWBs 12 & 13 Background: Current WFI Board policy does not allow for training for baccalaureate and graduate degree programs, with one exception. Due to the 1

2 shortage of teachers, the Board approved an exception to allow training for the preparation of Prekindergarten teachers for the last two years of the baccalaureate program. Currently, the targeted occupation lists are limited to occupations that require postsecondary adult vocational training or a community college credit certificate, applied technology diploma, associate of applied science degree or an associate degree. In the past, training for baccalaureate and advanced degree programs has not been allowed due to the fact that there is a relatively lengthy time lag between estimating demand and producing graduates, which increases the likelihood that the projections will be inaccurate, and secondly, many baccalaureate degrees lead to multiple occupations, which makes it difficult to accurately forecast demand for these graduates. Additionally, regions must address the priority of services requirement within the WIA Act which generally leaves limited funding available for long term training or for training programs that do not lead to specific demand occupations. Even though the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has provided an influx of additional funding for the workforce system this year, this is a temporary situation. A change to current board policy would greatly impact the limited amount of funding used for training in subsequent years if training dollars are used for advanced degrees. Request from RWBs: With the aerospace workforce transition we are encountering highly skilled and highly educated workers, many with a BA/BS or even a MA/MS. For these workers to be competitive and secure future employment outside of the gate or in other industries, it is imperative that the Aerospace Workforce Transition (AWT) program be able to fund baccalaureate and graduate degree programs. An example of the types of occupations training is being requested for follows: Computer and Information Systems Managers, Computer Programmers, Computer Software Engineers, Applications, Computer Support Specialists, Computer Systems Analysts Architectural and Civil Drafters Construction Managers, First-Line Superv. Of Construction and Extraction Workers, Construction and Building Inspectors Vocational Education Teachers, Post-Secondary Social and Community Service Managers Electronics Repairers, Civil Engineering Technicians Business Operations Specialists, Administrative Services Managers, Financial Analysts, Accountants and Auditors 2

3 Many workers are currently pursuing higher degrees and are eager to complete their education before the Shuttle programs ends. Without AWT funding, completion prior to Shuttle retirement would be impossible for most. Relying on employer tuition reimbursement caps, limits the class load on an annual basis and pushes out the graduation date. Last Program Year (PY) AWT funds augmented the employer reimbursement and enabled participants to take more than one or two classes a year. Because of the shift to Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds with this PY the AWT program is no longer able to assist in this endeavor and therefore training enrollments have been significantly reduced. [Note: the greater amount of last year s funding was from State monies.] Staff recommendation: Consider adding specific occupations to the TOL for impacted aerospace transition workers that would provide for additional education for the last two years of their current degree for a limited time rather than wholesale change in policy. Issue 2: Allow occupations on one region s TOL to be approved for another region. RWB 12 Background: From the approved statewide targeted occupations list, regional lists are developed based on each regional s adjusted wage criteria and supply and demand. Current Board policy does not provide for training for an occupation that is not currently on a region s approved list. This helps to minimize the possibility of over-training a supply of workers with limited funding available to go around. An example of this is when we allowed every region to train for IT jobs after the 9/11 crisis, thus wasting a lot of funding when these individuals could not be placed. Regional workforce boards have the option of requesting additions to their individual regional lists based on need. In making these requests, regional context, number of projected openings, wage breakdown and local documentation are required from the requesting regional board. The TOL Ad hoc Committee, after gathering all required information, can consider the request(s) for addition(s) and make a final determination. Request from RWB: The TOL is only for the region. Therefore, the Regional Innovation Grant that Region 13 is implementing to identify occupations and the related skills for emerging technologies across the high tech corridor will be hampered if that emerging occupation is not on Brevard s TOL as well. 3

4 Currently, there is no relief for a neighboring region to train for occupations that are listed in another region. This must be addressed in this economic time of regional activities that are vital to retaining the skilled workers in Florida. Staff Recommendation: Requests for additions for critically needed occupations that require cross-regional participation that were not submitted during the annual TOL submission period can be submitted to WFI staff. Upon receipt of all necessary documentation, WFI staff will arrange for a meeting of the TOL Ad Hoc Committee to consider such request(s). Issue 3: Use of out-of-state educational providers Background: Federal WIA law requires states to provide training to demand occupations using approved eligible training providers. By current Board policy, providers must follow defined protocols to be recognized as an approved training provider: 1) must be licensed in Florida to provide training and 2) must submit performance/outcome data on graduates of such programs in order to be retained on the ETPL (Eligible Training Provider List). As designed, this process allows for better customer choice as to the institution/college and program they wish to take through the use of ITA s or individual training accounts. Currently Florida law for the Commission for Independent Education at the Florida Department of Education [FS (1)(a) Licensure of Institutions requires: Each college or school operating within this state must obtain licensure from the commission unless the institution is not under the commission's purview or jurisdiction as provided in s Deviation from this requirement would require a change in Florida law and would first require consideration by WFI s Legislative Policy Committee The federal act does allow flexibility whereby the regional workforce board could use out-of-state training providers; however; an agreement must be made between the states to share performance and outcome data for these institutions and programs. Using an in-state licensed provider provides assurance that this data can be received. Request from RWB: The issue relates to the acceptance of out-of-state educational providers on the state or local approved training vendor list. Online courses are a reality and an accepted form of education, however, the Florida Department of Education has ruled that out-of-state educational providers cannot be used to provide subsidized education. However, in several instances the education is not available in Florida and there is not enough time to wait for an education entity to develop the curriculum. 4

5 Please note that while a Florida provider might also offer the courses, if the aerospace worker has already invested time in taking courses with a vendor outside of Florida then transferring to a different institution may very well mean that course credits don t transfer, additional requirements may have to be met, night or on-line courses may not be an option and therefore it will prolong their completion date. The following is an example of several of the occupations and corresponding training programs: Computer Systems Analyst specific to Certified Information Systems Security Professional Health Services Managers with BA in Healthcare Administration Please note that several other states have interstate compacts that provide approval of educational institutions to each other. These interstate compacts provide a mechanism for workforce boards to use training providers in other states. This is acceptable by the federal government; however, it likely would require legislation to change in Florida. Staff recommendation: With customer choice still being a prime consideration in choosing a training provider, if there is absolutely no in-state training provider that currently has or can arrange to provide the necessary training, choosing an out-of-state provider might be an option for consideration. However, if such training does not result in credits which could be transferred between institutions or result in recognized credentials, such training may not be of any use. However, agreements between the states must be made that would guarantee that such training provider will share performance and outcome data for such program by institution. NEEDED ACTIONS: CONSIDERATION & RECOMMENDATION TO WFI FULL BOARD 1) Use of funding for baccalaureate and graduate degree programs for impacted aerospace workforce transition employees; 2) Allowing occupations on one region s TOL be approved for another region 3) Use of out-of-state educational providers to be first considered by WFI s Legislative Policy Committee 5