Charting the Course: An Opportunity to Improve Workforce Development in DC

“In recent years, the District [of Columbia] has built and strengthened important workforce development infrastructure, including a strong and functioning Workforce Investment Council (WIC). Though the District has made progress, the workforce development system is still missing a coherent, comprehensive, cross-agency strategy to take residents from where they are now through the many steps to the end goal—a family-sustaining job that provides ongoing opportunities for career advancement…. The Mayor and Council now have an important opportunity to build on that momentum to help the system evolve from one that is focused on basic compliance with state and federal regulations to one that is strategically optimized and focused on achieving key outcomes that will help more District residents achieve economic security. Two key opportunities can be leveraged in that effort. Congress recently reauthorized the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The new law will already require the District to better integrate its programs….In addition, the Council mandated the creation of an Adult Career Pathways Task Force in the last budget cycle. This task force can help to lay the groundwork for building the system District residents need” (p.1-2).  Also outlines a “career pathways” approach for workforce development and explains the new opportunities in WIOA to implement this approach.

(Abstractor: Author and Website Staff)

• “Transform the current workforce development system by implementing a career pathways framework focused on key industry sectors. Ensure all publicly funded (both federal and local) programs that have an adult education, job skills training, or employment component, including WIOA, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF), Transitional Employment Program (TEP), and adult charter schools utilize a career pathways framework” (p.3). • “As a key starting point in creating a career pathways system, and guided by the work of the Adult Career Pathways Task Force, incorporate a career pathways framework into the WIOA state plan. In accordance with WIOA section (101)(d)(1), the mayor should designate the WIC to design and facilitate a collaborative planning process with partnership agencies for the development of the unified state plan” (p.3-4). • “ Set a particular goal that all adult learners enrolled in an educational or workforce training program (those without a high school diploma or equivalent and/or basic or below basic literacy skills) have access to a career pathway by 2020. Ensure that on-ramps for individuals with other common barriers (e.g., a criminal record, limited work experience) are well-articulated as well” (p.4). • “Commit appropriate budget and staffing resources to implement the strategic plan developed by the Task Force. Include funding in the FY16 budget for The Career Pathways Innovation Fund to help plan, pilot and scale up programs and practices that the Task Force determines are necessary to build out specific career pathways in key industry sectors. This fund should be administered by the WIC with direction from the Task Force” (p.4). • As recommended in a recent report by DC Appleseed, provide the “additional support…necessary to help lower-level learners successfully advance in career pathways….Programs for lower level learners should ensure that students get the foundational skills necessary to advance in career pathways, and that learners are connected to career pathways as they master lower-level skills” (p. 4). • “Assign to the WIC the roles and functions that have been suggested for the Workforce Opportunity Advisor, including: o Providing strategy and oversight on the District’s Career Pathways system. Building on the Adult Career Pathways Taskforce, the WIC can serve a District-wide coordinating function for agencies that contribute to the workforce system; o Ensuring the District’s compliance with WIOA and other relevant federal and local legislation; and, o Providing recommendations to the Mayor on actions that would improve effectiveness of the workforce development system and its impact on low-skilled and unemployed District residents. o Additionally…..elevating the GS level of the WIC Director to reflect the seniority and significance of the position” (p.6).

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2015
• Author(s): Berman, J.; Lazere, E.’ and Murphy, B.
• Organizational Author(s): Local Initiatives Support Corporation; DC Alliance of Youth Advocates; DC Appleseed et al
• Funding Source: Self-funded
• Resource Availability: Publicly available
• Posted by: Wesley Peterson
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies