Category: Uncategorized
Executive Committee meeting called to discuss funding requests
CHEYENNE – The Executive Committee of the Wyoming Workforce Development Council will meet virtually at 11 a.m. on January 31 to take action on two funding requests.
The first funding request to be considered is for $45,000 for the Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies to assist the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services with an initial evaluation of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I programs. WIOA sec.134(a)(2)(B)(vi) and 20 CFR § 682.200(d) requires that evaluations be conducted.
The second funding request is a Workforce System Support Grant application from Wyoming Future Business Leaders of America. The $4,000 request would provide sponsorship for the 2023 State Leadership Conference.
Anyone wishing to attend the meeting may do so virtually via Zoom. Information about joining the meeting as well as the full agenda is available at wyowdc.wyo.gov.
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Contact: Kari Eakins at 307-777-5287, or kari.eakins1@wyo.gov.
New grant application finalized and strategic planning efforts continued at Workforce Development Council meeting
| CASPER – The Wyoming Workforce Development Council approved a policy change regarding use of its discretionary reserves and continued work on updating its strategic plan during its quarterly meeting in Casper last week. |
| The amendment to Policy 1 ensures requests for funding from the Council will flow through a grant application process. The Council can reserve up to 15% of the federal funds Wyoming receives for youth, adults, and dislocated workers to carry out statewide activities. With this policy change, the Council has added a Workforce System Support Grant to complement the Next Generation Sector Partnership Grant, which was developed several years ago. Both grant applications are available on the Council’s website. |
| The Council is working on its strategic plan in preparation for the required rewrite of Wyoming’s Unified State Plan under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. During work sessions, the Council solidified its practical vision and had discussions regarding blocks to that vision, which led in brainstorming solutions. The solutions were grouped together into four strategic directions for the Council to focus on: |
| – Invent an Image – Drive Collaboration with Partnerships – Create User-Friendly Technology – Engage in Community Outreach |
| Action was taken by the Council on several funding requests and contract amendments: |
| – A Next Generation Sector Partnership grant was approved for $10,000 to create a guide for the construction sector to partner with schools as has been successfully done in Laramie County. – A request for $100,000 was approved for the Department of Workforce Services to provide training for the One-Stop staff. – A request for $15,000 was approved for the Next Gen Academy to be hosted on March 23, 2023 in Lander. – An amendment to the contract with Collaborative Economics was approved for the use and facilitation of the Next Generation Sector Partnership Model. The amendment extends the date of the contract to January 31, 2024 and adds $115,000. – An amendment to the contract with Warehouse 21 was approved for support and maintenance of the Council’s website. The amendment extends the date of the contract to January 31, 2024 and adds $3,000. – An amendment to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wyoming Department of Education was approved for the Computer Science microcredentialing program for teachers. The amendment extends the MOU to August 30, 2024. |
| The next meeting of the Wyoming Workforce Development Council will be held in Cheyenne on February 22-23, 2023. Meeting information is available at wyowdc.wyo.gov. |
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| Contact: Kari Eakins at 307-777-5287, or kari.eakins1@wyo.gov. |
Workforce Development Council to convene in Casper for quarterly meeting
October 25, 2022
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Workforce Development Council will hold its quarterly meeting in Casper from 1-5 p.m. on November 2 and 8 a.m.-noon on November 3, 2022. The Council will continue strategic planning and take action on grant funding and policy updates.
The Council will be taking action on its spending plan and expenditures, an amendment to Policy 1 regarding discretionary reserves, contract amendments, funding requests for staff training, a Next Generation Sector Partnership grant, and the 2023 Next Gen Academy. Additionally, the Council will receive a presentation on the 2022 Wyoming Workforce Annual Report from the Department of Workforce Services’ Research and Planning team and tour the workforce center in the Thyra Thomson State Office Building, which opened earlier this year.
Anyone wishing to attend the meeting may do so in person at the Casper College Gateway Center or virtually via Zoom. Information about joining the meeting as well as the full agenda is available at wyowdc.wyo.gov.
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Contact: Ty Stockton at 307-777-6911 or tyler.stockton@wyo.gov.
Workforce Development Council to convene in Dubois for strategic planning
| CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Workforce Development Council will hold its quarterly meeting in Dubois from 1-5 p.m. on September 7 and 8 a.m.-noon on September 8, 2022. The Council will begin strategic planning and take action on several policy updates. The Council will be taking action on its spending plan and expenditures, an amendment to the Eligible Training Provider List policy, the funding model for Adult and Dislocated Workers, and funding for board software. Additionally, the Council will receive updates on the Postsecondary Education Readiness Research Report, the Wind River Job Corps Center, and the National Museum of the Military Vehicle. Anyone wishing to attend the meeting may do so in person at the Headwaters Arts and Conference Center or virtually via Zoom. Information about joining the meeting as well as the full agenda is available at wyowdc.wyo.gov. ### |
| Media Contact: Kari Eakins at 307-777-8229 or kari.eakins1@wyo.gov |
Public Notice and Request for Comment
The Wyoming Workforce Development Council is seeking public comment on a draft of Wyoming’s Unified State Plan (Plan). Wyoming is required to submit the Plan under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Plan ensures compliance with Public Law 113-128. Comments are sought by February 16, 2022.
WIOA brings together the following programs: employment and training services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth; Wagner-Peyser employment services; adult education and literacy programs; and Vocational Rehabilitation state grant programs that assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment.
Additional information on WIOA may be found on the Department of Labor’s website.
A copy of the draft Plan is available for public inspection online at: https://wyowdc.wyo.gov/reports/?report_type=state_plans. Hard copies of the Plan will be made available for review at the local Department of Workforce Services, Workforce Centers. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, special assistance or alternate formats will be made available upon request. Chief elected officials, businesses, labor organizations, institutions of higher education, primary stakeholders, and the general public are encouraged to provide comments. Comments should be made in writing and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on February 16, 2022, to laurie.knowlton@wyo.gov or mailed to the attention of Laurie Knowlton Walters at 5221 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002.
Road Trip Nation
WWDC is proud to have partnered with Wyoming Department of Education to fuel the big Green RV as it crossed Wyoming with three young adults eager to explore career opportunities available to them in their home state. Road Trip Nation – Wyoming will premier on November 16th on Wyoming PBS. https://roadtripnation.com/roadtrip/wyoming-documentary