WIOA State Plan Common Elements

The Cabinet members are dedicated, well-prepared members that take the work of the GWC seriously.  The structure and operation of the GWC are best stated through the words of the members as follows:

“The structure of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet is working. Created by legislation, the group is convened under the direction of the Governor, ensuring the urgency and importance of the Cabinet’s mission and objectives. With counsel from employers, state agencies are working to align and streamline their policies and programs. The Governor has made cracking the code on workforce and talent a top priority, and that is evident in his policy agenda and through the cabinet.

“By bringing together cabinet-level leaders from Workforce Development, Higher Education, K-12 Education, Family and Social Services, Economic Development, and Corrections, along with Indiana employers and state lawmakers, this group is convening the right people to gain input and drive the strategic direction of our state as it relates to talent development.

“I’m encouraged by the work we’ve accomplished to date and convinced that the Cabinet’s structure is providing a stronger workforce system to serve Hoosiers, employers, and the State.” – Teresa Lubbers, Governor’s Workforce Cabinet Chair and Commissioner for Higher Education.

“The current state board structure and functions are important and uniquely enabling, because it brings together industry leaders with the leaders of our state’s entire workforce/education system, rather than a portion of the system, and the board reports directly to the Governor’s personal staff. This has enabled our board to deploy statewide, systems-level thinking, helping us make better and faster decisions, and engage the multiple key stakeholders needed to make these decisions successful.” – Paul Perkins, President of Amatrol, Inc.

“The current board structure is particularly powerful because of its cross-functional nature – bringing together decision makers, stakeholders, experts, and policymakers from across the workforce continuum. The collaboration this brings about between government, education, and private industry is critical in meeting the needs of Hoosiers and Indiana companies.” – Tony Vespa, Founder of Vespa Group.

All newly appointed members are on-boarded using the GWC’s Mission, Vision, Goals, and Guiding Principles to ground them in a common objection. They are introduced to other members of the GWC through meeting materials. Each year, at the first meeting, the GWC will discuss the implementation and execution of strategies in the Combined Plan, highlighting progress, accomplishments, performance goals, and milestones. The GWC has regular meetings every other month, as well as consistent communication among members and staff through face-to-face meetings, emails, and phone calls. The GWC also hosts committee meetings in order to complete vital analysis of specific strategies.  Prior to the development of the committees, action teams were utilized for developing the Cabinet members’ knowledge related to college and career funding and workforce funding. The staff also conducts all necessary responsibilities with the assigned authority over Perkins and Career and Technical Education Administration. In order to accomplish the goals set out by the GWC and the Combined Plan, staff continually review and discuss guidance and policy received from the federal level on various topics that impact the GWC. By sharing all federal updates with the GWC, Cabinet members can determine if action must be taken. Staff, led by the Executive Director, coordinates with DWD to issue any necessary guidance.

Staff is always available for questions and technical assistance through regular communication with Cabinet members, including a monthly newsletter to share coordination, alignment, and accomplished GWC and state agencies’ functions.