2 0 1 6-2 0 1 7 A N N U A L R E P O R T
A Message from Our Board Chair By the end of the 2016-2017 program year, we had to bid farewell to a number of long-time board members as they retired or moved on to other endeavors. For their years of dedicated service, we say a heart felt thank you to the following people who completed their terms: Paul Patton of Yale-New Haven Hospital, Richard Pearce of Evolution Enterprises, LLC, Masonicare s Stephen McPherson, Dept. Of Labor s Sandy Mello, and especially Dr. Dorsey Kendrick, who retired after 18 years as president of Gateway Community College in June 2017. Dr. Kendrick served many years on our board and was a committed partner on workforce development projects. A tough act to follow, but also one who laid the groundwork for not only board membership but impacting a community through education. The membership list included in this report reflects those who served all or part of this year to show our appreciation. In 2017-2018, we anticipate adding new representatives to fill established seats from Masonicare, CT Dept. of Labor and Gateway Community College. We will add new private sector seats filled by leaders from North Branford s Pennsylvania Globe Co. and New Haven s Liberty Bank, reflecting two of the most important growth industries (advanced manufacturing and financial) in our area. In the vein of partnerships, this report highlights many successful programs some established, some in their first year, some concluding that were made possible through partnerships. I invite you to read about our work with the Eastern Workforce Development board on projects that help long-time unemployed return to work through on-the-job training in advanced manufacturing, engineering and information technology (Pg. 6); and low-income jobseekers training to enter and advance in the healthcare workforce (Pg. 7). Speaking of IT, we kicked off an initiative with the Northwest Regional Workforce Development Board to help 17-29 year olds earn credentials, internships and advancement in Connecticut s technology sector. And finally, our American Job Center at the New Haven Correctional Center concluded after two years (Pg. 9). This would not have been possible without the CT Department of Corrections, which not only made space available but also acted as true partners from their staff in New Haven on through to the office of Commissioner Scott Semple. Based on the success of this program, we plan to pursue future funding to reinstate this program. What will our partnerships look like in 2017-2018 and beyond? We see possibilities for more industry sector-based initiatives to meet the highskilled workforce needs of employers not only in South Central CT but the entire state. We see the American Job Centers adding to the community services that customers can access in the One Stops (Pg. 5). And we see mobilizing services both online and remotely in our 30 towns to make access to employment and training services easier for jobseekers and employers. Robin Golden, Chair 2 WORKFORCE ALLIANCE 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Who We Are Workforce Alliance is responsible for the design, oversight and accountability of workforce development policies and services in South Central Connecticut. The board funds employment and training initiatives that prepare individuals for jobs and assist employers with training needs and employee transition. With a majority of its membership from local business and industry, the board works closely with business organizations, local elected officials, K-12 and college systems and community leaders to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of South Central Connecticut s workforce. What We Do As the 2016-2017 program year drew to a close, we fulfilled our goal to create a Business Services unit directly tied to the growth sectors in our region. We now have a team engaging with employers to tell us what our key industries need, and coordinating with units preparing jobseekers to meet them. This year I began my own outreach project. The Workforce Today podcast launched in November 2016 as a way to talk about workforce and economic development issues with business, public and private sector leaders and thinkers in and around South Central CT. We covered the big questions: Is Retail Dead? (No). Will Robots Take Our Jobs? (Yes, and No). Topics ranged from the Wow Factor behind customer service, to filling skills gaps in manufacturing and IT, to ex-offenders who make great employees. It s the most fun I ve had talking about workforce development in 35 years. William P. Villano, & CEO Amey Roderick earned her CNA certification through the Health Careers Advancement Project, which coupled with her previous phlebotomy credentials lead to a full-time job at Griffin Hospital in Derby, CT. Bill Villano (right) speaking with Bill Kamela, head of workforce policy at Microsoft on the Workforce Today podcast, available for download from itunes and Google Play. 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT WORKFORCE ALLIANC 3
Employer Locations of Job Placements in Connecticut GREENWICH NORTH CANAAN HARTLAND COLEBROOK SUFFIELD SOMERS SALISBURY NORFOLK STAFFORD UNION ENFIELD THOMPSON CANAAN GRANBY EAST WOODSTOCK GRANBY BARKHAMSTED WINDSOR ELLINGTON WINCHESTER LOCKS EAST PUTNAM WINDSOR WINDSOR ASHFORD EASTFORD SIMSBURY TOLLAND WILLINGTON POMFRET SHARON GOSHEN CORNWALL CANTON TORRINGTON BLOOMFIELD SOUTH KILLINGLY NEW WINDSOR VERNON HARTFORD CHAPLIN AVON MANSFIELD WEST EAST COVENTRY HAMPTON BROOKLYN HARTFORD HARTFORD MANCHESTER HARWINTON BURLINGTON HARTFORD WARREN LITCHFIELD KENT FARMINGTON ANDOVER COLUMBIA WINDHAM NEW- WETHERSFIELD PLAINFIELD MORRIS GLASTONBURY SCOTLAND THOM- BRISTOL WASHINGTON NEW INGTON ASTON PLAINVILLE BRITAIN ROCKY HEBRON CANTERBURY STERLING PLYMOUTH HILL BETHLEHEM BERLIN MARLBOROUGH LEBANON SPRAGUE NEW WATERTOWN SOUTHINGTON MILFORD WOLCOTT CROMWELL VOLUNTOWN FRANKLIN LISBON GRISWOLD WOODBURY PORTLAND SHERMAN ROXBURY WATERBURY EAST COLCHESTER NORWICH BRIDGE- MIDDLEBURY MERIDEN MIDDLETOWN HAMPTON BOZRAH WATER MIDDLEFIELD NEW PRESTON CHESHIRE FAIRFIELD NAUGATUCK SOUTHBURY PROSPECT SALEM NORTH EAST HADDAM WALLINGFORD DURHAM STONINGTON BROOKFIELD HADDAM BEACON MONTVILLE OXFORD FALLS LEDYARD DANBURY BETHANY NEWTOWN LYME NORTH CHESTER WATERFORD BETHEL SEYMOUR HAMDEN HAVEN KILLING- EAST GROTON STONINGTON NORTH WORTH LYME NEW WOODBRIDGE DEEP RIVER BRANFORD ESSEX LONDON MONROE OLD REDDING NEW HAVEN GUILFORD OLD LYME RIDGEFIELD SHELTON WEST- SAYBROOK ORANGE BRANFORD MADISON CLINTON BROOK EASTON TRUMBULL WEST WESTON HAVEN MILFORD WILTON STRATFORD BRIDGEPORT NEW FAIRFIELD CANAAN WESTPORT STAMFORD NORWALK DARIEN ANSONIA DERBY PLANTSVILLE EAST HAVEN KENSINGTON YALESVILLE BOLTON 14,128 Total Served PAWCATUCK OUR REGION: South Central CT BETHANY BRANFORD CHESTER CLINTON CROMWELL DEEP RIVER DURHAM EAST HADDAM EAST HAMPTON EAST HAVEN ESSEX GUILFORD HADDAM HAMDEN KILLINGWORTH MADISON MERIDEN MIDDLEFIELD MIDDLETOWN MILFORD NEW HAVEN NORTH BRANFORD NORTH HAVEN OLD SAYBROOK ORANGE PORTLAND WALLINGFORD WEST HAVEN WESTBROOK WOODBRIDGE 9,485 Workshop, Career Center & Computer Lab Users 1,271 Summer Youth Employed 1,071 Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act Individuals 542 Special Grants & Programs Participants 6,032 Job Placements 1,759 Jobs First Employment Services Enrollees 4 WORKFORCE ALLIANCE 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT
American Job Centers The four American Job Centers in South Central CT are more than a place to access employment and training services funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Jobs First Employment Services and other special projects. The centers have evolved into true OneStops that offer access to vital community resources in South Central Connecticut including the CT Department of Labor, Literacy Volunteers, the CT Department of Rehabilitation Services, Job Corps, Head Start New Haven, the Community Health Network, Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program, and the Senior Community Service Employment Program. More than 14,000 people visited the New Haven, Meriden, Hamden or Middletown centers in 2016-2017. They accessed one-on-one career advising, workshops, basic skills and computer training, self-service career centers or community resources. They also came away with jobs! Nearly 20 hiring events brought employers into the centers, often with on-the-spot offers for positions in healthcare, retail, human services, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution. This year, we hosted the first of what would become a series of recruitment events that filled hundreds of seasonal jobs at the Amazon sortation center in Wallingford, CT. In all, we tracked into employment over 6,000 people who accessed at least one program or activity in our locations. Community partnerships make the American Job Centers true One-Stops for employment, training and other vital services. Shown here is a partial gathering of staff from agencies in South Central CT. 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT WORKFORCE ALLIANC 5
Demand Driven, Employer Focused Competitively funded programs this year strove to fill employer needs by providing an experienced workforce, boosted by on-the-job training. South Central CT was one of several National Emergency Grantees in Connecticut, which allowed us to place certified dislocated workers into STEM fields, including information technology, advanced manufacturing, engineering, finance, and healthcare. The program served 148 jobseekers by its close in June 2017, including 105 into on-the-job training, 92% if whom sustained employment afterward. Our Ready to Work program continued its partnership with the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board to place long-term unemployed or underemployed workers into classroom or on-the-job training to enhance information technology, engineering, and advanced manufacturing skills. In PY16-17, Ready to Work funded 309 on-thejob training contracts, plus incumbent worker training, credential attainment and direct placements by staff. In all, 100 unique employers participated in Connecticut. ITXpress: A TechHire Grant Workforce Alliance launched ITXpress this year to help 17-29 year olds earn credentials and get employment in information technology through on-the-job training, internships or direct placements. The state Technology Council and employers like IBM signed onto ITXpress, a cooperative initiative with the Northwest CT Regional Workforce Investment Board. Launched in late 2016, the program has drawn a steady stream of IT hopefuls. Of those enrolled this year, with almost 50% did so to upgrade their IT credentials to become software developers, computer and information systems managers, network engineers and cyber security specialists. AVERAGE STARTING WAGES Service Professionals $10.62 Education & Social Services $12.29 Transportation / Distribution $12.81 Healthcare & Related $12.82 Office & Admin $12.86 Trades / Maintenance $13.63 Manufacturing $16.37 Banking, Finance, Insurance $16.37 Information Technology $26.23 Information technology, finance and manufacturing delivered the highest starting wages for participants across all programs in 2016-2017. 6 WORKFORCE ALLIANCE 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Raising Incomes and Self-Sufficiency We expanded options designed for low-income job seekers and those receiving cash assistance this year with the Health Careers Advancement Project. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and in partnership with the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board, the Health Careers project offers basic skills enhancement, training and job development for careers as a nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, community health worker and more. Eligible participants were selected by lottery and may return to the program for training to enhance their skills over a five year period. The Jobs First Employment Services program continued as a partnership with the CT Department of Social Services, which refers people receiving cash assistance for training and employment services. Subsidized employment is a key part of Jobs First, which allows for work experience in entry level jobs. In all, 1,759 participated in either subsidized work, job readiness and job search assistance, training or other American Job Center activities, with close to 700 tracked into employment throughout the year. The Health Careers Advancement Project provided not only skills training, but also basic math and reading enhancement to ensure success in training and on the job. Shown here are phlebotomy trainees: (l-r) Elizabeth Milliette, Alisa Underwood, Khadija Hubbard and Hadja Fatima Sacko. 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT WORKFORCE ALLIANC 7
Summer Youth and Year-Round Youth Programs for youth and young adults up to age 24 gave career exploration and guidance with support for educational attainment and skills training in growing industries and occupations. Through our network of community-based agencies and training providers, 221 youth began career pathways in information technology, health care, culinary, transportation, security and general business. In the 2016 Summer Youth Employment Program, 1,271 youth in 24 South Central Connecticut towns were provided with paid work experience. The Summer Youth program depends on state and local funding, and many summer participants continue with yearround programs. West Haven was one of 24 towns offering summer youth employment programs funded by Workforce Alliance in South Central CT. At right, Tatyanna Alvarado, 17, helped pre-schoolers get creative as a teacher s aide at the West Haven Child Development Center. 8 WORKFORCE ALLIANCE 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Turning Ex-Offenders into Job Seekers Our track record for effectiveness continued this year and earned recognition from former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez. The American Job Center at the New Haven Correctional Center served 125 inmates with job readiness training within six months of leaving incarceration. Once back in the community, the Next Steps Re-Entry program was there to connect them with employment and other services. More than 80% continued to work with us once released, and 65% found jobs in such fields as construction, restaurants or manufacturing. A partnership with the CT Department of Corrections, this was one of 12 programs funded under the Linking to Employment Activities Pre- Release (LEAP) initiative by the U.S. Dept. of Labor. Next Steps As Workforce Alliance s exoffender re-entry program, Next Steps served 224 ex-offenders by instilling skills and confidence so they can get jobs, keep them and lower recidivism. This program encourages positive behavior and working with community and family support systems. It also promotes lifestyle and attitude changes to keep people out of prison and in the workforce. The Workforce Alliance team gives participants information and techniques including accountability, being prepared and the basics of job search and job retention. Next Steps Coordinator Freeman Holloway, left, stands with Glenn Young, a senior job developer working with ex-offenders. Glenn received the 2017 Above & Beyond award for service to customers at the Workforce Alliance annual meeting in March. & CEO Bill Villano and Board Chair Robin Golden (right) presented the award. 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT WORKFORCE ALLIANC 9
Workforce Alliance Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Budget Expense Report Trades, Maintenance 8% Healthcare & Related 12% $5,215,684 Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act $3,135,871 Jobs First Employment Services $2,311,154 Ready to Work $457,941 Job Driven National Emergency Grant $1,225,141 Summer Youth Employment $79,479 Supportive Services for Veteran Families $347,954 American Job Center @ New Haven Correctional Center $91,578 Connecticut Advanced Manufacturing Initiative $451,122 Health Careers Advancment Project $150,676 ITXpress: TechHire Initiative $142,854 Other* $13,609,454 TOTAL Banking, Finance & Insurance 3% IT 3% Education & Social Services 6% Manufacturing 20% *CT Dept. of Labor Step Up; CT Dept. of Education; National Emergency Grant Sector Partnership; SNAP Employment & Training; Health Profession Opportunity Grant Office Administration 8% Service Professionals 23% Transportation & Distribution 11% Jobseekers enrolled across all programs found work in a variety of fields in 2016-2017. 10 WORKFORCE ALLIANCE 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Workforce Alliance Board of Directors (2016-2017) Robin Golden, Chair Attorney & Consultant James Ieronimo, Vice Chair Executive Director United Way of Meriden- Wallingford Meriden, CT Robyn-Jay Bage, Treasurer CEO Women and Families Center Meriden, CT Larry McHugh, Secretary Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Middletown, CT Mary Burgard VR Supervisor CT Dept. of Rehabilitation Services Windsor, CT Christopher Cozzi Business Representative Operating Engineers Local 478 Hamden, CT Eileen Hasson The Computer Company, Inc. Cromwell, CT Paul Hoffman & CEO Orange Research Milford, CT Sandy Mello Job Center Director CT Department of Labor Hamden, CT Joseph Mirra Business Resource Center Yalesville, CT Sean Moore Midstate Chamber of Commerce Meriden, CT Matthew Nemerson Economic Development Administrator City of New Haven Paul Patton Vice Human Resources & Operations Yale New Haven Hospital Richard A. Pearce Partner EVOLUTION Enterprises LLC Hamden, CT Anthony Rescigno Chamber of Commerce Toni Walker Coordinator NH Adult Education Amy Blackwood Executive Director United Labor Agency Middletown, CT H. Richard Borer Easter Seals Goodwill Industries North Haven, CT Dorsey Kendrick Gateway Community College Stephen McPherson CEO Masonicare Wallingford, CT Tiana Ocasio Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Hamden, CT Stephanie Wolfe Vice, Human Resources Alexion Pharmaceuticals 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT WORKFORCE ALLIANC 11
560 Ella T. Grasso Boulevard 06519 203-624-1493 Website: workforcealliance.biz Email: info@workforcealliance.biz facebook.com/workforceall center WORKFORCE ALLIANCE Four Convenient Locations: 560 Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, New Haven: 203-624-1493 87 West Main Street, Meriden: 203-238-3688 37 Marne Street, Hamden: 203-859-3200 272 South Main Street, Middletown: 860-347-7691 & CEO William P. Villano (203) 867-4030 x 231 bvillano@workforcealliance.biz Manager of Strategic Development Christine D. Reardon (203) 867-4030 x 226 creardon@workforcealliance.biz Manager of Special Grants & Projects Jill Watson (203) 867-4030 x 224 jwatson@workforcealliance.biz Manager of Career Development Services Kymbel Branch (203) 867-4030 x 247 kbranch@workforcealliance.biz Chief Financial Officer Sudhakar Vamathevan (203) 867-4030 x 292 svamathevan@workforcealliance.biz Manager of Quality Assurance & Youth Services John Brancato (203) 867-4030 x 237 jbrancato@workforcealliance.biz Communications Director Ann Harrison (203) 867-4030 x 242 aharrison@workforcealliance.biz