WIOA State Plan Common Elements

(1) State Board Functions. Describe how the State board will implement its functions under section 101(d) of WIOA (i.e., provide a description of Board operational structures and decision making processes to ensure such functions are carried out).

The GWDB is responsible for advising the Governor on the development of strategies and policies to form a coordinated WIOA-compliant workforce system by integrating a variety of education, employment, and training programs. The GWDB brings together and focuses various workforce development partners and stakeholders on two key outcomes – ensuring there is a properly prepared workforce that meets the current and future demands of Maryland employers, and providing opportunities for all Marylanders to succeed in the 21st century workforce.

GWDB Mission: To guide a nationally-recognized workforce development system that aligns with the economic and educational goals of the State of Maryland and will result in a qualified workforce available to employers across the State.

GWDB Vision: A Maryland where every person maximizes his or her career potential and businesses have access to the human resources they need to be successful.

The vision includes:

• Alignment of the business, workforce system, and economic development interests in Maryland
• Well-integrated, coordinated, and collaborative systems across agencies, institutions, Local Areas, and business
• Preservation and expansion of Maryland’s highly-educated workforce
• Creation of opportunities for all Maryland residents to participate and succeed in the workforce.

To ensure the State’s workforce board’s functions are successfully carried out pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the GWDB includes the following key oversight and management positions:

• GWDB Chairperson who presides over all meetings, appoints committees, and is responsible for leading the Board in its activities and for serving as the principal liaison between the Governor and the Board. As necessary to facilitate the Board’s performance of its WIOA duties and responsibilities, the Chairperson duties include: facilitating and driving high-performance governance; setting the proposed agenda with the Executive Director; holding committees accountable; communicating and coordinating with the Executive Director; managing and facilitating meetings; appointing members to committees; serving as an ambassador, and various advocacy and public relations responsibilities.
• An Executive Committee that is comprised of ten GWDB Board members— six members of business, three government representatives, and one member representing community-based organizations. The Executive Committee develops recommendations to the Board in the areas of strategic planning, legislation, and operations. One of their primary duties is to develop the agenda for full Board meetings.
• An Interagency Workforce Committee that is comprised of senior officials from the GWDB’s partner agencies. The Committee’s purpose is to coordinate and align workforce development initiatives and policies to meet the demands of Maryland’s industries.
• GWDB Staff provide strong administrative support to the Board in its efforts to carry out its WIOA functions.

The GWDB has established cross-cutting strategic initiatives as an outgrowth of task forces, formulated in previous years.  Engagement and support from stakeholders and leaders throughout the business, workforce, education, labor, and nonprofit industries representing Maryland is essential to these initiatives.  The strategic initiatives include:

• Cybersecurity and Information Technology (IT), the needs of which cut across industry sectors;
• Advanced Manufacturing and related skilled occupations;
• Healthcare and Life Sciences related endeavors;
• Education related endeavors, such as mentoring and youth development;
• Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, particularly to assist those with barriers to employment, including Returning Citizens, Immigrants, Individuals with Disabilities, Economically Disadvantaged, Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) fields, etc.;
• Outreach, helping maximize the reach of partners and stakeholders, and extending this outreach to the future workforce by engaging students, educators, and parents; and
• Interagency Development, helping expose staff and board members to holistic, wraparound services, and to interagency work across multiple State agency partners.

The Cybersecurity and Information Technology strategic initiative includes leaders and experts from businesses, universities, and nonprofits to ensure education and instruction align with employer needs within the Cybersecurity and IT industry.  The initiative continuously works to create a pipeline of talent for employers by focusing efforts on engaging students as well as incumbent workers as necessary catalysts to fill these openings.

The Manufacturing and Skilled Trades strategic initiative includes industry leaders and school representatives to ensure that Maryland students are aware of opportunities in the manufacturing and Career and Technical Education (CTE) fields across the state.  Maryland currently has thousands of open jobs in manufacturing and construction.  The initiative seeks to establish a pipeline that will connect Maryland students to gainful employment within these industries.

The Healthcare and Life Sciences strategic initiative includes industry leaders and experts and seeks to establish a viable pipeline of talent to hospitals, nursing homes, and medical companies.  The initiative works with hospitals and professionals in the medical field to determine future needs, and educational professionals are included in order to ensure applicable course work and instruction.

The Education strategic initiative largely incorporates work-based learning through CTE, mentoring, coaching, apprenticeship, and other training models, including virtual methods.  Educational partners have included:  Junior Achievement, the Governor’s P-20 Leadership Council, and the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education.

The Diversity and Inclusion strategic initiative includes experts across multiple industries within Maryland and seeks to ensure that underrepresented populations are consistently involved in the alignment of education and workforce.  The initiative actively seeks to connect those with barriers to employment, including disadvantaged workers, immigrants, individuals with disabilities, older individuals, returning citizens, veterans, and young adults, to new industries and gainful employment.

The Outreach strategic initiative is designed to champion the work of the GWDB and other programs throughout Maryland industries.  The initiative works to produce opportunities to connect new employers and potential employees.  By utilizing strategies including newsletters, social media, panels, and other marketing initiatives to expand outreach to businesses, employers, and the future workforce, the GWDB recognizes that an essential component of the incredible services and opportunities being provided in Maryland is ensuring that the public and businesses are aware of the multitude of initiatives available. As such, the GWDB is committed to developing promotional strategies resulting in greater awareness, understanding, and utilization of the statewide workforce development system in Maryland.

The GWDB continues to ensure that all strategic initiatives outlined above are focused on ensuring opportunities are provided for all Marylanders to succeed in the 21^st century workforce.