PA Workforce Development Boards Honored at White House

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three Pennsylvania local workforce development boards (WDB) participated in a workforce idea-sharing and recognition event at the White House Monday. The Customer-Centered Design Challenge Learning Exchange & Celebration, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), invited all states' workforce systems to submit ideas to creatively implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The participating teams are three of seven from Pennsylvania that entered the competition. Tasked with improving everything from customer experience and outcomes to putting employers at the center of sector strategies and career-pathway work, each team developed its own project to highlight different ways WIOA could work within Pennsylvania.

Representing Pittsburgh, North Central Pennsylvania and Westmoreland-Fayette, these workforce development boards developed their own projects for twelve weeks and submitted them to (USDOL). After a review process, they were selected to present their ideas at the White House as part of any idea exchange with other state winners.  In all, 78 teams from 25 states and U.S. territories participated.

Local Workforce Development Board Project Summaries

The North Central PA WDB's "Collaborating for Second Chances" sought to bring PA CareerLink® services, such as education, interview skills and résumé creation, to incarcerated individuals, so that when they leave the criminal justice system they can secure employment faster.

The Westmoreland-Fayette WDB took on the challenge of helping formerly incarcerated individuals obtain employment and education, develop healthy relationships and make positive decisions. They hope to achieve this by building stronger relationships with the courts and probation and county prison system, along with strengthening employer relationships.

The Pittsburgh WDB, also known as Three Rivers WDB, used the customer-centered design approach as a model for investigation and discovery, creating a Partner Referral Network, which offers a 'no wrong door' approach for employers. It is an interagency cooperative that uses shared assessment strategies to allow for a single point of contact for employers to source talent.

Customer-centered design is used by both private industry and non-profits to improve user experiences and outcomes. It was introduced to the USDOL through regional work in the Employment and Training Administration. For more information about the program visit Centered Service Design Initiative.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sara Goulet, 717-787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us