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Silicon Valley Works as a Region

The NOVA Workforce Board has awarded a $150,000 contract to regional leadership organization Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network to plan and develop a comprehensive regional workforce initiative for Silicon Valley.

Citing a fast-approaching workforce "crisis" and Joint Venture's workforce analysis in its most recent "Silicon Valley Index" report, NOVA and its partners are seeking to improve access to skill building, adult job training, and linkages between stakeholders. The goal of this work, which grew in part out of regional meetings sponsored by EDGE, is to increase high school completion, improve career technical education, raise certification and completion rates for college students, and improve basic workplace skills.

Navigate Sacramento's Future Jobs

The Partnership for Prosperity, a regional alliance of organizations including including LEED (Linking Education and Economic Development), SETA - Sacramento Works, Valley Vision and the Sacramento Regional Research Institute, recently released a Regional Workforce Forecast for the Sacramento region. The exhaustive study provides an overview of forecast jobs for 2010 and 2015, as well as identifying key industries and top occupations.

Moreover, the research led to two new online databases, both available to the public at www.CareerGPS.com, that assist job seekers, employers, and training providers to delve into the data and locate local education and training providers.

Find the databases and reports at www.CareerGPS.com.

Huge EDGE Meeting in Silicon Valley

Virginia Hamilton

EDGE has arrived in force in the Silicon Valley! More than 100 diverse participants - representing industry, labor, community colleges, WIBs, and community organizations - came together for the first EDGE Silicon Valley regional meeting on March 13 at Mission College. Thanks to EDGE Steering Committee members Mike Curran and Steve Levy and the other local leaders who convened this productive meeting!

Following presentations on the growing workforce needs of businesses in Silicon Valley and the state, EDGE Executive Committee member Virginia Hamilton facilitated discussion surrounding Silicon Valley's workforce challenges, such as being unprepared for the wave of boomer retirements and the challenge of a workforce where many lack basic skills and work readiness. Participants recommended EDGE focus its Campaign in two ways: 1) developing a strong, coherent message about the looming workforce crisis to educate policymakers, and 2) addressing the fragmentation of the workforce system, particularly funding sources and rules that create barriers to collaboration.

A summary of the event is available here (PDF, 28k)

Spreading the Word among Occupational Educators

EDGE introduced its Campaign at the California Community College Association for Occupational Education's (CCCAOE) Spring Conference on March 12 in Sacramento. Executive Director Sharon Huntsman, Executive Committee member Linda Collins of the Career Ladders Project, and Steering Committee member Nick Kremer of Cerritos College spoke to an audience of more than 50 people, who responded enthusiastically to EDGE's mission and plans.

The presentation file is available online at http://www.cccaoe.org/conference/PPts.html.

Moving Adults from Basic Skills to Work

Nick Kremer, Cerritos College; Julie Strawn, Center for Law and Social Policy, Kim Schenk, CCCAOE; Jon Kerr, Pierce College (WA) Photo Credit: CCCAOE

Also at the CCAOE conference, the National Council on Workforce Education co-sponsored a workshop on moving adults from basic skills to work. EDGE reached out to key state legislative staff to invite them to participate and learn about model programs in other states, and several were in attendance.

During the workshop, Julie Strawn from the Center on Law and Social Policy discussed how integrating basic skills education with workforce training produces better outcomes for lower-skilled students and how California is performing. Based on her review of outcomes in Washington, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Chicago, Ms. Strawn identified the following key elements of successful integration:

• Align adult ed./ESL and developmental ed. content with postsecondary content
• Shorten the timeline through dual enrollment/dual credit, accelerated programs, etc.
• Have close, ongoing, personal connections with employers—but be selective about partners
• Support success with wrap around supports, e.g., case management, career exploration, college success courses, academic advising, financial aid, child care, transportation, peer support.

Jon Kerr of Pierce College in Washington State also provided an overview of his college's I-BEST (Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training) program, which currently has implemented five career pathways. Both presentations are available online at http://www.cccaoe.org/conference/PPts.html.

EDGE hires an Associate Director

We are delighted to announce that Jason Weiner has joined the California EDGE Campaign as Associate Director, effective April 1. Prior to arriving in EDGE's Sacramento-based office, Jason was the Executive Director of the Westside Economic Collaborative in Los Angeles County. Click here to read Jason's bio [PDF document].

EDGE Gearing up for 2008

2007 was a tremendous growth year for the EDGE Campaign. To note just a few highlights, the Campaign:

• Held a symposium in Sacramento to highlight workforce demands for rebuilding the state's infrastructure,
• Expanded our endorsements to 120 organizations that recognize the need to align and invest in our education and workforce systems to meet the challenge of significant demographic and economic changes,
• Convened an active Steering Committee and working groups in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley who are committed to raising awareness and developing solutions to the state's workforce challenges,
• Conducted a study mission to Oregon and Washington to assess state-level workforce and education policy initiatives,
• Established a presence in Sacramento and held our first briefing for policy leaders in the Capitol.

No doubt 2008 will be a challenging year with a projected $14 billion dollar state budget deficit and threatened funding reductions affecting the education and workforce systems that prepare Californian's for careers. But just as the Chinese symbol for crisis includes both danger and opportunity, we can see 2008 as an opportunity to call attention to solutions that support a vibrant economy. EDGE is committed to a California where our human capital is the centerpiece of the state's economic development efforts. As a very diverse coalition of business, labor, community colleges, workforce investment boards and community organizations, we are uniquely positioned to carry this message in 2008.

EDGE Engages with Sacramento's Regional Workforce Leaders

LEED (Linking Education and Economic Development) and the Los Rios Community College District held a regional Convergence conference on regional competitiveness on December 7, where providing input to EDGE's policy agenda served as a break out breakout discussion. Over 40 education, labor and business leaders participated in this focused discussion with Sharon Huntsman, EDGE Executive Director, and Linda Collins, Executive Director of the Career Ladders Project. Participants engaged in a wide-ranging discussion about EDGE's policy recommendations, with two main themes emerging: First, regions need to be able to respond collaboratively and rapidly to changing workforce needs, yet State funding currently reinforces "silos" that are a major barrier to regional collaboration and create competition among would-be partners. Second, leaders stressed the importance of early career awareness and Career Technical Education at the K-12 and Community College level to create a skilled workforce in the Sacramento region.

Los Angeles Workforce Leaders Announce New Partnerships and Help Shape EDGE Agenda

Over 50 leaders from business, labor, WIB's, community colleges and community organizations gathered on November 29, 2007 to help shape EDGE's policy agenda and learn about new LA area workforce partnerships. EDGE co-sponsored this meeting with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Click here [DOC, 204k] for a meeting summary. Highlights include:

Jason Walsh, State Policy Director for the Workforce Alliance provided an overview of how several states are investing in regional, sector-specific workforce partnerships. Participants discussed this model to provide input about how EDGE can best shape policy to better link workforce and economic development within industry sectors.

Marguerite Womack, United Way of Greater Los Angeles described the Los Angeles Workforce Funders Collaborative, whose goal is to invest in improving workforce development systems and business viability. They will focus on three sectors: healthcare, construction, and logistics. Investors include United Way of Greater Los Angeles , Bank of America Foundation, The California Endowment, the California Community Foundation, the California's Employment Development Department (EDD). Michael Dolphin, Division Chief for EDD noted that the Collaborative has also attracted investment from The National Fund for Workforce Solutions.

David Rattray, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Larry Frank, Deputy Mayor City of Los Angeles announced the LA Workforce Compact to develop a long-term vision and shared commitments to transform LA's workforce into a globally competitive asset. Signatories include: Los Angeles Unified School District, United Way of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade and Technical College, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor, and the Los Angeles Community College District.

December 2007: EDGE Seeks an Associate Director

The Campaign is seeking highly motivated candidates to become its Associate Director. The position will begin as soon as possible. The Associate Director will work with the Campaign's Executive Director and Executive Committee to design and implement the coalition's various outreach and communications activities, including expanding the Campaign's membership, ensuring regular communications with Campaign members, organizing EDGE meetings and events, and developing EDGE's communications materials (website, e-newsletter and presentations, etc.) to raise the profile of workforce development as a critical policy issue and promote solutions.

Click here (PDF, 286k) for the full job announcement.

EDGE on the road…

EDGE recently travelled to Oregon and Washington to learn about state-level initiatives promoting regional, industry-driven strategies for workforce development, career pathway and bridge programs, and tracking measures to promote greater accountability across the workforce system.  Click here (PDF, 580K) to see the EDGE’s insights from this trip.

EDGE’s Steering Committee reflected on insights from the field trip at its recent meeting (PDF, 101K) in Oakland on September 17.  The EDGE Steering Committee is made of business, labor, workforce developers, community colleges and social equity organizations who have endorsed the EDGE campaign.  Members play several critical roles: advising on EDGE’s policy agenda and campaign strategy,  identifying models for reform/realignment of the workforce system, co-host regional EDGE meetings, identify models, help build the coalition, and educate policy makers. Click here (PDF, 4.7MB) to learn more about the Steering Committee and the Campaign’s work.  If you would like to get involved in the EDGE campaign, contact Sharon Huntsman, Executive Director at sharon@californiaedgecampaign.org

July 27, 2007

EDGE recently received formal notification of grant awards from the James Irvine Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Women's Foundation. This is in addition to funding EDGE had already received from the Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative and, earlier, from the Walter and Elise Haas Fund.

The generous philanthropic support has allowed us to hire the staff the Campaign has so desperately needed. Earlier this month, Sharon Huntsman accepted our offer to become the new EDGE Executive Director and we're simply thrilled to have her on board. With her help, we will also bring on a Campaign Coordinator and find an office for EDGE in Sacramento as soon as possible.

In recognition of the California EDGE Campaign, the San Jose Mercury News published an article in its Op-Ed section entitled “California must prepare now for changing workforce.”  It highlights the challenges and opportunities we face in developing and maintaining a qualified workforce that will meet industry demands in light of growing globalization and increases in retirements. It was coauthored by Stephen Levy director of the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy, Dr. Martha Kanter chancellor for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District and Mike Curran director of the NOVA Workforce Board.  The full text of the article is available here.

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