On The Board ABE 101
What it ’ s like to be a partner and member of the Workforce Development Board .
What is WIOA ?
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( WIOA ) instructs programs that had previously worked together to officially become partners . The four partners are Title I-Workforce Center programs including Youth , Adult , and Dislocated Worker services , Title II- Adult Basic Education and Higher Education , Title III-Wagner-Peyser , and Title IV-Vocational Rehab .
Together , these programs work with job seekers to access employment , education , training , and support services . The goal is for students to have enhanced opportunity to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy .
Workforce Development Areas
Minnesota has designated six Regional Workforce Development Areas ( RWDA ) that represent a combination of Local Workforce Development Areas ( LWDA ). Metro North ABE - Elk River aligns with LWDA 5 and partners with the workforce center in Monticello--Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Service . Pam Moriarity has served as the ABE representative on that board for nearly two years .
Board member in LWDA 5
As a member of the board , Pam Moriarity serves on the Community and Government Relations committee . The committee has planned and facilitated
“ Breakfast With Your Legislator ”, which provides opportunities for legislators to hear directly from constituents how partner programs have benefited them and legislators share how they will support partner programs .
The major focus of the committee over the past two years has been to address the health care labor market shortage . They created and facilitated a three part Healthcare Summit that brought together people across Region 3 to introduce , discuss , and develop solutions to solve this crisis . A major accomplishment was the establishment of a healthcare task force to carry-on the work that was begun . The committee will begin to focus on the manufacturing labor market in the next year .
Pam Moriarity has said about her experience , “ To be honest , sometimes I felt overwhelmed . I wasn ’ t sure what my duties as an ABE representative would entail and WIOA law is not something that is easily understood . However , because of my involvement on this board , I feel much more connected to what is happening across the state and across the country in regards to Adult Basic Education . I ’ ve developed a greater understanding of all of the partner programs and strengthened my connections with the Workforce Center , Wagner-Peyser , and Voc Rehab , which ultimately leads to greater opportunities for our community .”
ABE programs continue to diversify how they connect and work with students .
The Minnesota Literacy Council ( MLC ) has been working on developing a unique training program . Theresa Sladek has researched , outlined best practices and produced a training that focuses on a three-tiered approach to supporting students in ABE .
The MLC Navigator training provides volunteers with skills and tools to :
• help students identify academic and career goals and know how to support them in those goals
• understand ways to create a trusting and positive relationship with students
• be able to provide a bridge for students from one academic or career step to the next
• help students overcome barriers that may prevent them from reaching their goals .
One volunteer at Metro North ABE has already completed the training and we are looking forward to integrating navigators into more classes .
Metro North Adult Basic Education | Ph : 763-433-4200 | www . MetroNorthABE . org March 2018 3