Located in:
- II. Strategic Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a Strategic Planning Elements section that analyzes the State’s current economic environment and identifies the State’s overall vision for its workforce development system. The required elements in this section allow the State to develop data-driven goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce and to identify successful strategies for aligning workforce development programs. Unless otherwise noted, all Strategic Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs.
- a. Economic, Workforce, and Workforce Development Activities Analysis
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an analysis of the economic conditions, economic development strategies, and labor market in which the State’s workforce system and programs will operate.
- 2. Workforce Development, Education and Training Activities AnalysisThe Unified or Combined State Plan must include an analysis of the workforce development activities, including education and training in the State, to address the education and skill needs of the workforce, as identified in Education and Skill Levels of the Workforce above, and the employment needs of employers, as identified in Employers' Employment Needs above. This must include an analysis of –
- 2. Workforce Development, Education and Training Activities Analysis
- a. Economic, Workforce, and Workforce Development Activities Analysis
II. a. 2. B. The Strengths and Weaknesses of Workforce Development Activities
Current Narrative:
As is outlined in section 2(A) above, Florida’s workforce network partners are successful in reaching and serving customers to put Floridians to work. These partnerships are leveraged at the state and local levels to enhance any areas where improvements are needed. The strength of Florida’s workforce network is demonstrated through its existing relationships and the ongoing effort to identify additional opportunities for coordinated service delivery as required under WIOA. Currently, Florida’s WIOA partners have ample statewide coverage for all programs, with skilled and experienced professional team members. The state workforce investment board, LWDBs, VR and FDBS all have established business relationship teams working together to serve employers.
Additional improvements are taking place in Florida’s workforce network, including a Residential Center training program within the FDBS. The Pre-Employment Program began in 2016 with the goal to increase the employment rates for youth and adults. Classes are conducted at the Rehabilitation Center each quarter. The Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) provided various trainings on the Career Plus Index and WIOA requirements.
Continuous improvement of how Florida’s workforce network serves customers will require continued collaboration, coordination and re-assessment. The identification of both strengths and weaknesses is an ongoing process for the core programs working to implement WIOA. Working groups discussed in section III(b)(7) are addressing data integration issues as a potential challenge for WIOA implementation. Reviewing WIOA program services, programs and policies to identify duplicative efforts and potential solutions to better align agency resources and efforts is ongoing.
It is notable the FDBS reviewed and revised all policies for the Bureau of Client Services. Six policies were implemented on October 18, 2017, and the others are under review. Each district works with the CareerSource Florida local board to conduct outreach and connect clients with community resources that can assist with creating accessible computer systems. The VR counselors and EPS staff meet with FDBS clients at the centers to tour the facilities. Clients are shown how to use computers and are introduced to other services provided by CareerSource Florida centers.
Florida will work to address accessibility of job network computer systems, outreach and community visibility for programs that serve job seekers with disabilities and transportation for job seekers with disabilities.