Introduction Kristina DeWitty Program Specialist Texas Workforce Commission Office of Employer Initiatives (281) 782-6007 kristina.dewitty@twc.state.tx.us
Goal Increase the capacity of the public local community colleges as well as the skills levels and wages of the Texas workforce
The Skills Development Fund Assisting Businesses and Trade Unions: Financing the design and implementation of customized job training projects Merging business needs with local training solutions Forging win-win relationships between businesses, local workforce and economic development partners
Customized Training Designed to meet the needs and special requirements of a business or trade union Customization extends beyond standard courses Overall unique design may include Customizing the curriculum Scheduling classes around the employees' schedules Developing company specific instructional examples Addressing needs in real time with real situations
Eligible Grant Recipients A business, business consortium, or trade union partners with the following eligible grant recipients: Public community or technical college The Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) A private, non-profit community-based organization in partnership with one of the institutions listed above
Eligible Training Providers Public community and technical colleges The Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) A community-based organization in partnership with the public community college or technical college or TEEX Other eligible organizations, including business partners, with whom the grant recipient has subcontracted to provide training
Partnerships Businesses and trade unions Public community or technical colleges, Texas Engineering Extension Service, community-based organizations Local Workforce Development Boards Economic development entities
Roles for Business Partners The Skills Development Fund Partner with an eligible grant recipient Be actively involved in the planning and design of the customized training project Pay wages to employees who successfully complete the training program that are equal to or greater than the prevailing wage for the occupation in the local labor market Sign an agreement with the grant recipient outlining each entity's roles and responsibilities
Roles for Business Partners The Skills Development Fund Use WorkInTexas.com for new hires Disclose any other local, state or federal grant funds sought or awarded for the proposed training project Provide: Equal opportunity employment documentation Information on employment benefits The wage information for trainees Social security numbers for trainees Wage and benefit information one year after contract ends
Roles for Public Community and Technical Colleges and TEEX Develop a quality proposal with business partners, actively involving them in the planning and design of the customized training project Develop a sound implementation plan The Skills Development Fund Get project underway early to maximize chance for success Understand reporting requirements and submit trainee and financial reports promptly
Roles for Economic Development The Skills Development Fund Inform new and expanding businesses of the opportunities available for employee skills development Bring the needs of new and expanding businesses to the attention of both the colleges and workforce boards Maintain or create ongoing relationships with the colleges and workforce boards to ensure that projects are developed in conjunction with the local economic development strategy
Roles of Business Outreach Specialist Connects businesses with community college and workforce board partners Advises colleges during project development Provides on-going technical assistance Reviews draft proposals
Quality Proposals Mix of new and incumbent jobs (60% incumbent, 40% new) ** Wages at or above the prevailing wage Active collaboration among partner members High degree of customization State or local industry cluster High-growth, high-demand occupations Funding contributions from partners Positive economic impact
Prevailing Wage Example The Skills Development Fund Dallas LWDA Wages, Occupational Employment Statistics Program, Data benchmarked to 2013 Source: Labor Market & Career Information Department, Texas Workforce Commission Rate Type Occup. Code Occupational Title Estimate d Employ ment Mean Wage Entry Wage Experien ced Wage PCT10 Wage PCT25 Wage PCT 50 Median Wage PCT75 Wage PCT90 Wage Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Hourly 13-1011 Performers, and Athletes - 44.29 19.57 56.65 18.67 21.67 43.52 67.05 71.91 Hourly Purchasing Agents and Buyers, Farm 13-1021 Products 60 22.97 14.98 26.96 13.78 16.78 21.83 27.92 33.79 Hourly Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm 13-1022 Products 1,670 35.09 19.82 42.73 16.69 23.64 29.08 39.83 62.19 Hourly Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, 13-1023 and Farm Products 3,830 31.02 19.58 36.74 18.20 21.88 28.74 37.65 47.80 Hourly Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and 13-1031 Investigators 5,840 29.87 20.23 34.68 18.92 22.51 29.18 35.96 43.12 Hourly 13-1032 Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage 410 26.55 20.14 29.75 18.28 22.55 26.19 29.94 36.04 Hourly Compliance Officers, Except Agriculture, Construction, Health and Safety, and 13-1041 Transportation 3,370 32.77 19.70 39.30 18.01 22.57 32.09 41.03 48.52 Hourly 13-1051 Cost Estimators 2,070 33.20 21.21 39.20 17.86 25.16 32.41 40.31 48.85 Employment, Recruitment, and Placement Hourly 13-1071 Specialists 7,110 33.71 19.32 40.91 17.31 22.29 31.15 41.55 53.58 Hourly 13-1075 Labor Relations Specialists 320 35.52 23.31 41.63 20.85 29.67 38.41 43.25 46.05
Criteria for Funding Recommendations Current and past performance on Skills Development Fund contracts Equitable geographic distribution of funds Number of small- and medium-sized businesses The fiscal stability of business partners Cost per trainee in comparison to the state average of about $1,800/trainee The Skills Development Fund
Grant Awards Applications accepted at any time throughout the year May be up to $500,000 for a single business Can cover tuition, curriculum development, instructor fees, and training materials Typically, 12 month contract
SDF Life Cycle The Skills Development Fund Outreach Team Evaluation Team Contract Management Team Proposal Development Proposal Evaluation and Approval Training Execution and Project Reporting 30-45 Days 30-45 Days 365 Days
New Guidelines Six months blackout limitation for repeat SDF application submission Allowed maximum per trainee per course cost is $1800 Trainees hired 365 days before application submission date are considered new Grant will not fund executive job titles Fixed price contracting model 60-90 days project development to approval cycle time
Online Resource Information The Skills Development Fund Visit: http://skills.texasworkforce.org Proposal Submission Forms Frequently Asked Questions Information for Business Partners Links to Additional Resources
Contact Office of Employer Initiative Texas Workforce Commission 512.463.8844 customizedtraining.solutions@twc.state.tx.us http://skills.texasworkforce.org