WIOA State Plan Common Elements

I) Coordinating with Economic Development Strategies

WIOA implementation in Arizona is positioned to integrate fully its capabilities in economic development and workforce development. The new legislation offers an opportunity to refine strategic processes initiated under the WIA, based upon the increased flexibility and opportunity for innovation of WIOA. The strategy for system-level structuring and positioning reveals a sequential strategic flow that begins with establishing an Economic Development strategy to target specified industry sectors for the mutual benefit of specified sector groups and the State itself.

Of particular importance to economic development is the state’s availability of a qualified workforce and a system that creates a pipeline of talent to serve the expanding job market that is anticipated for a variety of industries. The following diagram displays an integrated, strategic approach to meeting the goals set forth for WIOA in Arizona. The diagram reflects a system-level approach, supported by continuous process-based refinements. The strategic sequence of “select, design, deliver, and evaluate” guides both state-level and regional/local level WIOA endeavors. At all levels, the accurate response to economic development strategies by workforce development establishes the planned talent pipeline. Focusing on increased access by adults, youth, out-of-school youth, and a diverse population of individuals who face barriers, increases the scope of the available workforce. The focal design of statewide and local area practices guides the fusion of education and training, plus the work experience needed. In addition, the clarity provided by updated branding of all ARIZONA@WORK services and locations, as well as increasing the range of learning and services provided, builds brand recognition and therefore utilization of the services by those job seekers who can benefit.

Delivery of services, performed in collaboration with employers, serves those sectors that economic development has indicated as appropriate for statewide and regional/local development. Educating, training, and tracking results stimulates continual capacity building at state and local levels.

Continuous process and outcome evaluation of the integrated economic and workforce endeavors for WIOA is designed to establish the following:

• Process-based features associated with building familiarity with services in LWDAs by business and job seekers

• Outcome-based features associated with quantitative measures associated with completion of certification programs and/or related education and training or work experience, as well as employment

• Qualitative indicators that reflect effectiveness in:

• Engaging employers to work with local area workforce development

• Attracting job seekers to participate in career development

• The perception of employers and job seekers relative to workforce development to the local economy

Table 27: Integrated Strategic Direction of Economic and Workforce Development for WIOA

Of importance to the integrated model is the flexibility that accommodates a wide range of industry groups as the state’s economic and workforce experts perform collaboratively in building a pipeline of talent that meets the needs of a growing economy in the short- and long-term. As new information becomes available to state economists, workforce professionals can respond effectively through collaboration at both the statewide and local levels. Those industries targeted for growth in Arizona reflect the substantial technological future that extends current capabilities. The strategic flow specified for WIOA places the initial impetus on economic development’s being structured by ACA in concert with partner organizations statewide. Full recognition of targeted industry sectors affords workforce development and other core partners in WIOA to anticipate and plan career pathways that ensure the building of a pipeline that can sustain new and existing industries of choice. Of greatest significance is the commitment of agencies to partner in several direct features associated with economic development. In particular, establishing regularly scheduled meetings that bring together ACA and workforce development professionals provides the opportunity to explore the following on a regular basis:

Direct Response to Economic Development Needs

1. Identify industry sectors for economic development
2. Specify skill-based needs of industry groups
3. Explore presently qualified workforce to serve needs
4. Develop training, development, and work experience
5. Apply or design certification, programs, and courses in response

Among the key features of coordination between WIOA and economic development are the following perspectives:

• Economic development in Arizona stimulates relocation and the creation of new jobs in the State through a program of tax incentives that allows up to $9,000 of State income or premium tax credits over a three-year period per new job brought to the State. For metropolitan areas, this requires a minimum of 25 new jobs and $5 million of capitalization. For rural areas, this requires a minimum of five new jobs and $1 million of capitalization. Other stimulus opportunities, like job training and research and development, further stimulate relocation.

• The skilled available workforce is emphasized to attract organizations to Arizona, based upon workforce development itself and the system of renowned university education available through the state’s three major public universities and a host of private higher education institutions.

• Low cost of doing business, access to major world markets, and other stimulus points are identified for future employers to relocate in the state.

• A surging innovation ecosystem is recognized in Arizona, inviting start-up organizations to join fellow technology firms to thrive in Arizona.

At present, multiple industry sectors are targeted for economic development in the state. ACA has identified the following industries as important to the growth of Arizona:

• Aerospace and Defense. Arizona hosts more than 1,200 small and large firms specializing in this sector. The state is the fourth highest employer within this industry in the United States.

• Technology and Innovation. Arizona is anticipated to have the highest growth in the nation within this sector during the period of 2012-2017.

• Renewable Energy. Arizona is the 1 alternative energy industry leader and among the top ten solar energy manufacturing leaders.

• Bioscience and Health Care. Arizona’s sustained presence and job growth within this industry area represents a substantial opportunity for organizations and job seekers.

• Optics and Photonics. An applied science category of industry which remains a strong leader within the state.

• Advanced Manufacturing. Arizona is among the top five states in the nation in advanced manufacturing.

• Advanced Business Services. Home to 50 different data centers, Arizona maintains a growing presence in this technologically advanced industry.

Of particular relevance to workforce development, each of the target industry groups has the following in common:

• Requiring of high-technical, future-based skill sets that contribute to increasing competitiveness of the state and the nation.

• Sustainable industry that supports and repurposes environmental elements for expansion through ingenuity and invention.

• Technological breakthrough industries that facilitate discovery and further innovation.

The industry groups featured can benefit from early educational exposure to these fields of endeavor through WIOA-based partnerships with education and training, workforce development, and business and community leaders coming together to support ACA designed economic development initiatives. A present challenge exists in meeting the immediate demands of industries that are operating on the threshold of a rapidly emerging future.

As noted in the strategic approach to implementing career pathways, this approach furnishes a strong and vital force that stimulates the long-range health of targeted industries and supports the coalition-building of “home-grown” talent through early exposure, ongoing education, and training of Arizona’s youth and adults. The system potential of workforce development and economic development actively supporting long-term strategies with the tangible pursuit of expertise for Arizonans answers the call from futuristic industry either currently in Arizona or planning to relocate to the state. WIOA offers the opportunity to concentrate efforts to make the workforce a tremendous and competitive asset that complements the statewide vision of economic development.