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What does the workforce development
system provide?
The two primary customers of the workforce development system have similar
expectations. From the employer perspective, the workforce development
system is expected to provide the following:
- Basic Skills: Basic skills include reading, writing, math, computer,
and workplace readiness. If supplied with applicants competent in the basic
skills, most employers can provide workers with any required technical
training.
- Technical Skills: Recruiting and retaining technically skilled
workers in some occupational areas is problematic. This labor shortage
is the result of an inadequate supply of skilled individuals, insufficient
opportunities for training in high demand occupations, and outdated training
programs.
- Employment Services: Employers expect follow-up and accountability
for all referrals.
- Single Point of Contact: Employers prefer a single point of
contact through which they can meet their employment needs and interface
with various organizations.
- Labor Market Information: Medium and small employers need wage
and salary data, workforce demographics, and skill profiles of available
workers.
From the worker perspective, the system should provide the following:
- Labor Market Information: Access to accurate, real-time career
and labor market information including job availability, skill demands,
pay and benefit information, and hiring information.
- Career Counseling and Assessment Services: Access to quality
career guidance, counseling services, testing, and assessment services.
- Information on Training and Education: Information on available
education and training programs, including consumer reports on providers
and financial aid information.
- Access to Training and Education: Literacy, ESL, basic
education, computer skills training and workplace readiness.
- Access to Skills Training: Education and training programs that
teach skills relevant to emerging occupations.
- Living Wage: Jobs that pay a living wage and offer opportunities
for future advancement, which in turn offers economic self-sufficiency
for individuals and families
Currently, in Austin, the workforce development system is dotted with
numerous and unconnected programs, agencies and activities. The result
is a fragmented, duplicative system that is confusing and discouraging
to both employers and job seekers. The range of demands placed on the system
by the two customer groups further complicates this situation.
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