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2 Year Modification

Alabama PYs 2018-2019

WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements
    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II.(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
    • a. State Strategy Implementation
      The Unified or Combined State Plan must include—
      • 2. Implementation of State Strategy
        Describe how the lead State agency with responsibility for the administration of each core program or a Combined Plan partner program included in this plan will implement the State’s Strategies identified in Section II(c). above. This must include a description of—

III. a. 2. I. Coordinating with Economic Development Strategies.

Describe how the activities identified in (A) will be coordinated with economic development entities, strategies and activities in the State.
View corresponding narrative from PYs 2016-2017

Current Narrative:

The WIOA staff resources have recently been placed within the Alabama Department of Commerce in a newly created Commerce Workforce Division. The Alabama Department of Commerce is the entity responsible for the economic development strategies for the state. By this new alignment, it is the specific job duty of the Deputy Secretary of Commerce Workforce Development Division to make sure the WIOA program is coordinated with the economic development strategies. The Department of Commerce will take the following Action steps; 1.Through a new marketing/branding program currently being developed by a 3rd party, Commerce will disseminate current workforce information and program along with projected long term programs in the future through a monthly newsletter. 2.The Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Workforce Development is a standing member of the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA) Board and through various meeting reports and EDAA newsletters and email blasts, communicates across the entire state. 3.The Department of Commerce manages and coordinates the state’s economic development strategy, Accelerate Alabama. Accelerate Alabama, the economic development strategic plan for the state, was developed during a six-month period led by the Alabama Economic Development Alliance (Alliance), created by Executive Order of the Governor. Accelerate Alabama is meant to provide direction for Alabama’s economic development efforts over the next three years. Eleven targeted business sectors, along with areas of focus for each, have been identified for the state of Alabama to focus its recruitment, retention and renewal efforts. The determination of the targets identified for Accelerate Alabama involved thorough research, including the review of the current business/industry base in Alabama, current targeted sectors of state, regional and local economic development organizations in Alabama, as well as the various power providers, recent project activity, and other emerging sectors that have shown growth at the national, state and possibly local level. The strengths of Alabama related to each sector were also considered. The targeted sectors and areas of focus are outlined to the left. The Alliance was created to organize and direct the preparation of a strategic economic development plan for the state to ensure the recruitment, retention and renewal of business and industry in Alabama. These three economic development drivers serve as the basis for recommendations included in the Accelerate Alabama plan. These drivers are defined as follows: Recruitment: Programs that focus on the attraction of new business and industry. Retention: Programs that focus on the retention and expansion of existing business and industry. Renewal: Programs that focus on job creation through innovation, entrepreneurship, research and development, and commercialization. In order to successfully compete for the jobs of tomorrow in each of the targeted business sectors, the state must diversify its economic development efforts through a balanced emphasis on recruitment, retention and renewal. Each recommendation in the plan is designed to accelerate the state’s economic development efforts with each tactic providing a path to success. The accelerators are organized within the context of the three economic drivers, but most will require collaborative efforts across the full spectrum of Alabama’s economic development community. There are some economic development accelerators that transcend the three primary economic drivers. These recommended initiatives have been presented after the three drivers in an “Other” category. Following are the economic development drivers and accelerators associated with each in the plan: Recruitment RECRUITMENT: Provide a Workforce with Skills Aligned with Prospect Needs Ensure Availability of Sites and Infrastructure that Meet Prospect Criteria Determine Competitiveness of Financial Assistance Proactively Reach Out to Suspects/Prospects Build Capacity and Recruit Entertainment Production Develop Global Lead Generation Strategy

RETENTION: Align Workforce Services Develop ACCS Strategic Plan Strengthen the Training for Existing Business and Industry Develop Small Business Assistance Initiative Implement Education/Workforce Services Communications Program Increase Exports Support Military Assets and Contractors RENEWAL: Create Statewide Organization for Innovation Coordinate and Increase Commercialization Efforts Develop Legislative Agenda for Innovation Build Research and Development Capacity Support Existing Industry Develop the Information Technology Sector Foster Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Provide Financial Support for Commercialization OTHER: Support Rural Development Enhance State Economic Development Brand Inventory and Understand Sustainability Efforts Support Downtown Redevelopment Programs and Other Related Initiatives.

The Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce implemented the plan with the assistance of the Economic Development Alliance. The Plan is currently in its 3rd year and an updated Plan is about to launch that will continue the work outlined in the original Plan with appropriate updates.

4.The Made in Alabama website is currently the “go to” site for all things economic development within the state of Alabama.

5. The WIOA partners will be working closely with our economic development partners to determine labor supply in specific industry sectors to include student enrollment. Part of our strategy is to provide a balance to meet labor supply and demand on a regional basis. In Alabama, Adult Education programs are coordinating with the economic and workforce development strategies by providing an entry way for individuals to become part of the state’s workforce pipeline. Jobseekers and low skilled participants can gain the skill level to become gainfully employed through Career Pathway, Bridge programs, and Ready to Work programs that offer industry recognized credentials and certificates in a stackable format. The One Stop Career Center partners will provide the support service required for successful completion.