Over 150 "thinkers" have met in the last two months throughout the region to help the SWWDC re-imagine its strategic plan.

Since its inception in 2002, and then the development of its first five-year strategic plan in 2003, SWWDC and its partners have made tremendous progress towards educating, training, and linking job seekers with employers needing skilled employees. Partnerships among educators, service providers, and businesses have been enhanced, resulting in a workforce system that is more proactive and responsive to business needs. Training investments have become focused on occupations in growing industries that provide career pathways and good wages.

Harder to serve populations, such as low income individuals, individuals with disabilities, and disadvantaged youth have received more focused attention with positive performance outcomes increasing by 400 percent in the last four years. In fact these efforts have attracted attention and awards on a local, regional, state and national basis.

Overall goals and objectives are being met and exceeded. Most importantly, the workforce development system has moved from a traditional social service program with economic benefits to an economic development program with social benefits.

The current challenge is to think more broadly about the region's workforce needs and how the SWWDC might address those needs with its partners. To help the Board formulate the next plan, the SWWDC Strategic Plan steering committe has convened two dozen “think tanks” over a two-month period with more than 150 people participating. Representatives of business, education (school districts, community colleges and higher ed), service providers and community partners have been involved.

“We have seen some common themes emerging. Now we have to decide what strategies are needed and how to measure the results. All of these items also have to fit together in a cohesive approach to workforce and economic development that takes us to the next level,” said Board Chair Keith McPhun.

The Board will work on the Strategic Plan over the summer and have a draft ready for review in early fall.

“Are today’s U.S. students going to be equipped to fill the jobs of tomorrow’s economic engine?” Hedrick Smith posed the question to the audience at the May 17 quarterly Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) luncheon, held in conjunction with the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council and IBEW. In Smith’s opinion, the answer is “No.” Based on his extensive coverage for PBS’ Frontline and other national publications, Smith says there is a disconnect between what is taught in today’s schools and what successful employers will need. In some respects, Smith believes, the challenge may lie more in finding ways to help schools work with businesses to "hook" kids on math, science and other critical subjects.

Smith used clips from his Frontline reports that highlighted schools that were combining technical and academic curriculums that resulted in more hands on, practical learning experiences for students of all skills. He also provided examples of how China is changing the balance of world trade through educational innovation and retooling of businesses.

He highlighted Austin, Texas as one example of how there was an economic boom in high-tech, but that leaders failed to adequately plan for the entire range of the needed workforce. He said Austin had been very successful in educating and recruiting highly skilled computer engineers, but neglected to build the capacity or a stream of other trained technicians to support the engineers.

His message, not lost on the many educators and corporate leaders in the audience, was that it takes everyone working together to forecast and train a capable, flexible workforce.

The entire Hedrick Smith presentation was taped by ESD 112 and can be seen in Clark County on the TV ETC channels available to Comcast subscribers on Thursday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m., Channel 29


SW Connections looking for partners

As part of the on-going effort to provide students and educators access to current business/corporate experience, the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council kicked-off the “SW Connections” program immediately following the Hedrick Smith presentation on May 17 (see above).

Businesses were asked to sign up to host students or teachers for options ranging from a single visit for a student to hosting teacher internships and other options in between. The program hopes to begin matching interested students and teachers with relevant businesses with the start of school in the near future.

To find out more about SW Connections, or to sign up, contact Brandi Stewart-Wood at bstewart-wood@swwdc.org or 360-567-3170.

WorkSource Vancouver and Voc Rehab collaborative efforts lead to new start

Tim M. received guidance, support and help obtaining an Associates degree in accounting through a program with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). But once he had his degree, Tim had a hard time finding the appropriate job without hands on experience or background in a similar profession. However, using the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) WorkSource resources, the Vancouver Business Services unit was able to pair Tim with an employer and provide On-the-Job (OJT) support. Tim has nearly completed his OJT program, and recently sent the staff at WorkSource Vancouver the following card:

“This is just a small token of appreciation for everything you all have done for me! I didn’t have many reasons to exist before walking through your doors. You’ve given me a wonderful opportunity and hopefully, I’m making the most of it. It’s been a long, hard road, but (thanks to you all) I have a college degree, a new career, and (best of all) a lot of good reasons to exist. I feel good about myself again – it’s like my existence in the world matters again and for that, I’ll never be able to thank you enough! I bought this [thank you card] with my first paycheck from my new job. From the bottom of my heart, it’s the very least I could do! Once again, thank you all for everything AND your continued support!” Tim M.

Only in its second year, the Mentoring Advanced Placement (MAP) program has gathered an impressive amount of state and national attention for providing mentors to support students in physics, statistics, calculus, biology, and chemistry. In response to community demand, MAP grew from serving less than 30 students last year to working with more than 90 students in 20 classrooms in Clark County this past school year.

The students in the MAP program were recently recognized for their efforts at the Clark County Evening of Excellence program. In addition, for the second year in a row, nLight Photonics, MAP's founding company, presented a scholarship to a MAP student. This year’s recipient was Menglu “Michelle” Jiang of Mountain View High School.

The 2007-08 MAP program is poised to grow – and potentially grow very big- in the next year. First, Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law the Washington public schools budget dedicating $140,000 to MAP. Senator Craig Pridemore and Representative Deb Wallace were pivotal to securing funding. "We know our children are capable of great things. Innovative programs like MAP empower them to see all the possibilities for their lives that are available to them," said Senator Pridemore. Representative Wallace wrote the funding request to help sustain the MAP in 2007-2009 and enthusiastically supports the project.

At the same time, the National Math and Science Initiative has selected MAP to represent Washington State as one of 20 states to submit proposals for Advanced Placement Training and Incentives grant. The NMSI grant would provide up to $13 million over 6 years to support AP programs in Washington State. The MAP program will receive the final notice about grant funding in mid-August.

"MAP supports the intellectual development of our students. It inspires students to participate in rigorous courses," said Governor Gregoire in a letter of support for the grant. She has advocated for improved math and science education and sees MAP as a key to increasing student interest and participation in math and science courses.

"We are very excited about this opportunity. It provides a tremendous boost to our efforts to challenge high school students to succeed in more rigorous academic subjects and to prepare them to become future leaders in the global economy," said Scott Keeney, chair of the MAP Board of Directors."Not only will this grant allow us to reach out to even more students and teachers, but it will enable us to bring millions of dollars into our state and leverage the talent and expertise within our communities to build a more globally competitive workforce."

MAP is currently recruiting additional mentors in Clark County to volunteer four hours per month with AP students. MAP will be serving a wide range of AP subjects in the 2007-2008 school year, including biology, chemistry, English, physics and statistics. Anyone who is willing to share skills and knowledge with motivated high school students should contact the program at www.apmentoring.org.