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Workforce Florida Weekly Update 10-4-07 |
CONTENTS The State & RegionsScorecard Provides Focus For Leadership. TAMPA BAY, FL (October 2, 2007) – The Tampa Bay Partnership released the fourth edition of its Regional Economic Scorecard. The scorecard, a realistic snapshot of the Tampa Bay regional market based upon key indicators, is used by Partnership leadership to focus attention on issues impacting the region’s competitiveness and attractiveness for business and investment. The Overall Ranking for Tampa Bay remained unchanged at fourth on this update of the scorecard. The overall ranking sums the combined rankings of five economic driver categories: employment and workforce; income and productivity; housing; innovation; and education. The five comparison regions remained the same as previous scorecards and include Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Raleigh-Durham, and Dallas. This fourth edition of the scorecard shows that employment, income and education are the areas where Tampa Bay displays the greatest strength. “As the Tampa Bay region faces ever increasing worldwide competition for business and investment it is critical to collect and analyze data about our market. The Regional Economic Scorecard provides us with relevant information which, in turn, informs our discussions about regional priorities,” said Dr. Judy Genshaft, President of the University of South Florida and 2006-2007 Chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership. “Our next challenge is to use the dashboard of key indicators to set the leadership compass for Tampa Bay’s strategic initiatives.” In this fourth edition of the Regional Economic Scorecard, there are four key findings:
“ This fourth edition of the Regional Economic Scorecard provides us with four quarters of data on key indicators which we can now use as a baseline to monitor trends about our region,” explained Gwen Mitchell, Managing Partner with Deloitte and Business Intelligence Chair who leads the initiative for the Partnership. “We will continue to mature the Scorecard by adding a section on trending and a measure on transportation and continue the strategic discussion of transforming this regional Scorecard into a regional action plan.” While maintaining a second-place ranking in the employment category, Tampa Bay’s employment situation weakened significantly. New job creation fell by over 50% and the indicator rankings dropped for job growth rate, unemployment rate, and labor force growth rate. Tampa Bay’s position in the Income and Productivity category rose from a number four to number two due to a comparatively strong growth rate for per capita personal income and an increase in economic output as measured by gross regional product. Education ranking category has remained at a consistent and very competitive second-place ranking through four scorecards. The Innovation category ranking for Tampa Bay rose from fifth to fourth as a result of an increase in venture capital per worker. The Housing category in Tampa Bay has now ranked sixth for four consecutive scorecards. The depth of the housing market slump is evidenced by the precipitous drop in housing permits across all regions, but impacting Tampa Bay especially hard. Affordability again was exposed as a weakness with Tampa Bay now ranked sixth for rental and single family affordability for four consecutive scorecards. The information contained in the Regional Economic Scorecard is the most recent data available from widely used and reliable sources that has been compiled in a fashion that is easy to read and observe comparisons. Partnership leaders have described it as a “dashboard viewpoint” enabling them to quickly review key data necessary for decision-making. To access a copy of the Regional Economic Scorecard, visit the Tampa Bay Partnership Website at www.TampaBay.org. Online link to Regional Economic Scorecard - http://www.tampabay.org/subpage.asp?navid=7&id=124. U.S. Labor Department awards $10.1 million for safety and health training grants – Four Florida organizations to receive a total of $723,876 in grant awards. WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) last month awarded more than $10.1 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to 55 nonprofit organizations for safety and health training and educational programs. "Outreach and education are at the heart of our compliance assistance efforts for employers and employees," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke Jr. "The Harwood grants will help OSHA expand its educational resources to protect working men and women." The Susan Harwood Grants support workplace safety programs and the development of training materials to educate employees in high-hazard industries, those with limited English proficiency, those who are hard-to-reach and those in industries with high fatality rates, as well as small business employers. The grants support training programs to educate employees on targeted topics such as construction hazards; general industry hazards; and other safety and health topic areas including pandemic flu and driver safety. The training grants are named in honor of the late Susan Harwood, a former director of the Office of Risk Assessment in OSHA's health standards directorate, who died in 1996. During her 17-year tenure with the agency, Harwood helped develop OSHA standards to protect employees exposed to bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and lead in construction. The Florida awardees are:
The NationGeneral Accounting Office Releases Study: One-Stop
System Infrastructure Continues to Evolve, but Labor Should
Take Action
to Require That All Employment Service Offices Are Part of
the System. In 1998, Congress passed the Workforce Investment
Act (WIA), requiring states and localities to bring together
employment and training programs into a single workforce system,
the one-stop system. States have flexibility in how they provide
these services colocated within the one-stop through electronic
linkage or referral. WIA did not provide funds to pay for the
infrastructure costs, but programs must share the costs of
operating one-stop centers. As Congress considers reauthorization
of WIA, GAO assessed (1) the current composition of states'
one-stop systems and how this has changed, (2) what funds are
primarily used to support states' one-stop system infrastructure
and how this has changed, and (3) the extent to which states
are monitoring customer satisfaction. Our work was primarily
based on a 50-state survey of state workforce officials, updating
work we previously did in 2000 and 2001. What GAO Found: Over
the last 4 years, 19 states reported a decrease in one-stop
centers, often citing a decrease in funds as one of the primary
reasons. At the same time, 10 states reported an increase,
citing an increase in demand for services and an increase in
on-site programs. In our 2007 survey, states reported that
13 of the 16 mandatory programs were available at the majority
of one-stop centers. States reported they were providing Wagner-Peyser-funded
Employment Service on-site at one-stop centers, but some states
also provided services through stand-alone Employment Service
offices facilities that focus primarily on job search and placement
assistance. While states are required to maintain these offices
within the one-stop delivery system, 9 states reported operating
at least one stand-alone office unaffiliated with the one-stop
system. While Labor has taken steps to encourage states to
provide all employment services through the one-stop system,
states have made only modest progress in bringing these systems
together. WIA and Employment Service were the largest funding
sources for states to support the infrastructure and the nonpersonnel
costs of their one-stop centers. Of the two programs, states
reported that a greater percentage of Employment Service funds
than WIA funds were used for infrastructure costs. States also
reported less reliance on other programs to support the infrastructure
costs than in the past. Nearly all states reported that they
submitted customer satisfaction data to Labor for program year
2005. In addition, 12 states reported that they have established
additional customer satisfaction measures beyond those required
by Labor. What GAO Recommends: GAO recommends that Labor step
up action to ensure that all stand-alone offices be affiliated
with the one-stop system. In its comments, Labor stated that
the report would be useful, but disagreed with the findings
and recommendation regarding stand-alone offices, asserting
that all Employment Service offices are in compliance. Our
results are based on verified survey data; we stand by our
findings and recommendation. View the full GAO Report at: http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/pdf/2007/d071096high.pdf. NASWA Announces House Minority to Introduce WIA Reauthorization
Bill Soon. The bill is expected to closely resemble the bill
(H.R. 27) sponsored by House Republicans last Congress. The
National Governors' Association (NGA) and NASWA attended a
briefing this week sponsored by minority staff with the House
Committee on Education and Labor and learned that Ranking Member
Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) will introduce a bill
to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) by the end
of this week. The bill is likely to cause concern among Members
of the majority as it is taken largely from H.R. 27, the Republican's
bill last Congress and includes the lightning rod provision
to allow faith-based groups which receive federal funds to
selectively hire and would combine at the federal level Wagner-Peyser,
WIA Adult and WIA Dislocated Worker programs. Of additional
note, the bill would: strengthen the role of the state boards
by giving them greater oversight responsibility over the local
boards; remove the requirement that one-stop partner programs
sit on local boards; give governors the discretion to determine
contributions from one-stop partners for one-stop operational
costs; address the WIA carryover issue by defining "accrued
expenditures" (will need to clarify further based on language
in the bill); establish a new in-state allocation of 60 percent
to localities 40 percent to states - with 60 percent of the
state share going to localities for providing core services;
combine core and intensive services into "work ready services;" establish
WIA Youth funds be divided among in-school and out-of-school
youth equally; and would codify the WIRED program in federal
law. Though it is unlikely the majority will introduce their
bill to reauthorize WIA before the end of this year, the minority
staff said Ranking Member McKeon wishes to introduce his bill
to establish its programs as a priority this Congress and to
mark their positions if conference negotiations materialize.
They are not optimistic WIA will be reauthorized this Congress
as the House Education and Labor Committee has other priorities
and the direction of WIA is now, in their view controlled largely
by labor organizations. Labor organizations have expressed
concern with the requirement of business majorities on the
state and local boards, wish to shift the focus of WIA services
away from businesses toward workers and want stronger language
to ensure Wagner-Peyser services are delivered exclusively
by merit based staff. The desire by most workforce system advocates
to move a bill to reauthorize WIA this Congress mixed with
the legislative objectives of labor organizations has created
an intra-party dispute in the Senate delaying the introduction
of the WIA reauthorization bill in that chamber. Labor organizations
are concerned if additional language is not included in the
bill to strengthen the role of merit-based staff in service
delivery, the Administration may attempt to dilute staffing
requirements in the regulatory process. These same concerns
may delay the introduction of a bill to reauthorize a WIA by
the majority in the House placing the prospect of WIA reauthorization
this Congress in doubt. Questions regarding this update should
be directed to Curt Harris, NASWA Congressional Affairs Director
at 202.434.8020. Access this article and a link to the House
Minority Fact Sheet Summarizing their WIA Bill at: U.S. Department of Labor releases $44.1 million to states for Trade Adjustment Assistance – Florida to receive $2,783,883. WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao this week announced the release of more than $44 million to assist states in providing career training as well as job search and relocation assistance to U.S. workers who lose their jobs for reasons related to trade. "This $44 million targeted to 15 states will help workers access skills training, job search assistance and relocation services to build new careers in high growth industry sectors," said Secretary Chao. The funds were drawn from remaining fiscal year 2007 resources, which have been maintained in a reserve account set up in fiscal year 2004 by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. The department is releasing the $44 million remaining to15 states that have the highest TAA-related expenditures, and requested information systems upgrades will go forward in Colorado, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. Over the past four years, nearly $179 million in leftover funds have been released to the states for aiding trade-impacted workers. Funds will be distributed immediately along with initial payments for fiscal year 2008, which begins October 1. Congress annually has allocated approximately $220 million for TAA training. During fiscal year 2004, the Labor Department's Employment and Training Administration implemented a system for disbursing allocations using a formula that aligns resources with state training needs. Seventy-five percent of available TAA funds, or $165 million, is released annually on October 1. Remaining funds are reserved for those qualifying states that experience large, unexpected layoffs during the year. States must spend at least 50 percent of their initial allocation before requesting additional funding from the reserve account. "Our commitment to the harder hit states will ensure that their communities can work with employers and educators to return their dislocated workers quickly to the workforce," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "As our nation’s workers strive to succeed in the competitive global economy, it is important that those facing trade-related job loss have access to expanded career opportunities." Access the full article and state awards table at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20071481.htm. Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and NoticesFor current information, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.Featured Opportunity:(none) Upcoming Meetings, Conferences and
Events
Workforce Florida Board and Related Meetings Schedule:For up-to-date WFI board meeting info please check the calendar at the WFI website. October 17, 2007 November 7, 2007 November 8, 2007 Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
Florida College Access Network Conference (FCAN) October 18-19, 2007 October 25 - 26, 2007 Oct. 27-30, 2007 October 30-31, 2007 November 15-17, 2007 January 22-25, 2008 May 18-20, 2008 Odds and EndsAspen Institute Workforce Strategies Institute (WSI) Releases “Sectoral Strategies for Low-Income Workers: Lessons from the Field”. This new publication from WSI that takes a comprehensive look at the “sector approach” to workforce development – its past record of achievement, its growth over time and its potential for greater uptake and adaptation. Content was based on interviews with workforce program leaders, program visits and survey responses from more than 225 workforce organizations. The publication includes case studies on dozens of innovative initiatives that illustrate key aspects of the sector strategy. In addition, WSI has posted on its Web site seven in-depth profiles of projects taking different sectoral approaches, to showcase the rich diversity that exists in the field today. Download the free PDF version at: http://www.aspenwsi.org/publications/07-014.pdf. Read on-line profiles of various sector initiatives at: http://www.aspenwsi.org/WSIprofiles-program.asp. October is National Disability Employment Awareness
Month. National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2007, "Workers
with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team" A Proclamation
by the President of the United States of America "National
Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to
recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Americans
with disabilities and to underscore our Nation's commitment
to advancing employment opportunities for all our citizens.
Americans with disabilities strengthen our country's workforce,
and their achievements help keep our Nation the world's economic
leader. Landmark reforms such as the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 have helped to ensure that individuals with disabilities
are better able to engage in productive work and participate
fully in the life of our Nation. It is important that we
continue to expand on these opportunities for Americans with
disabilities by eliminating the barriers and false perceptions
that hinder them from joining the workforce. By enhancing
the workplace environment for people with disabilities, employers
can help provide access to jobs that allow these individuals
to demonstrate their potential and realize their dreams." The
rest of the President's Proclamation can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/09/20070929-3.html. U.S. Department of Education College Navigator. College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to help students, parents, high school counselors, and others get information about nearly 7,000 postsecondary institutions in the United States. It offers a wide range of information such as programs offered, retention and graduation rates, prices, aid available, degrees awarded, campus safety, and accreditation. Users can also search by programs offered, degrees offered, institution type, price, selectivity, distance from home, school size, institutional mission (historically black colleges and universities, single-sex), extended learning opportunities for adults (weekend and evening degree programs), and intercollegiate athletics programs offered. Users can also make comparisons of up to four institutions in one view, and maintain a list of favorite institutions from different searches. http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/. Comparison of Housing Information (From: HUD USER News). In the United States, researchers, policy analysts, and the general public have two rich sources of regularly updated information on housing - the American Housing Survey (AHS) and the American Community Survey (ACS). The AHS consists of a survey of the national housing stock and surveys of the housing stock in major metropolitan areas. It collects demographic information that helps us better understand the types of households that occupy housing units. The ACS focuses on the population and documents the type of housing occupied by America's households. While the ACS provides data on many housing variables, it does not furnish the in-depth information that the AHS provides about the cost and financing of housing, the physical attributes of housing units, and how units change over time. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has published a comparison of the two surveys that will be helpful to researchers and practitioners alike. The report looks at the similarities and differences between the two surveys and compares estimates of the key housing statistics provided by each. Comparison of Housing Information from the American Housing Survey and the American Community Survey can be downloaded for free at: www.huduser.org/publications/polleg/comparison_hsg.html. Quote for the Week:“Two monologues do not make a dialogue.” Jeff Daly |
