Www.workforcealliance.org Advocating for Sectors on Capitol Hill NNSP National Conference Planning...

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Advocating for Sectors on Capitol Hill

NNSP National Conference Planning Call - October 21,

2009

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Objectives Today

• Update on sectoral partnerships under federal policy

• Talk about SECTORS Act (S.777, HR 1855)

• Hill visit preparation tips

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Who We Are

• Multi-Stakeholder: business, labor, CBOs, community colleges, public workforce and higher-ed systems

• Best Practices: Bringing the expertise of the field into policy discussions

• Influence Public Policy: Core mission is to promote policies that expand access to education and training for all people

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Why We Are• Notion that

“training doesn’t work” drove most policy debates

• Workforce policies had few champions, and the skills issue had no political profile—leading to “work first” policies

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The Skills2Compete Campaign

• Launched in 2007• Calls for guaranteed access

to up to two years of post-secondary education or training leading to a degree, certificate, or industry recognized credential at the pace and place that makes the most sense for workers and industries

• Also need access to basic skills education to ensure people can take advantage of training opportunities

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New Skills Strategy

The “3 Ps”

• Partnerships

• Pathways

• Proportionate Investment

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Sector partnerships under Federal Policy

• New “Industry or Sector Partnership Grant Program for Communities Impacted by Trade” under TAA reauthorization (ARRA)

• DOL Guidance for Recovery Act funds• Testimony from Asst. Sec. Oates

during October Ed & Labor hearing• Senate HELP staff “listening

sessions.”• Loebsack/Fudge amendment to the

Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3221)

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The SECTORS Act• Introduced by Sens. Brown, Snowe as S.777,

Reps. Loebsack and Platts as H.R. 1855. Two additional Senate co-sponsors, eleven House co-sponsors

• Would provide $250,000 1-year planning grants, $2.5 million 3-year implementation grants to eligible partnerships

• Eligible partnerships must include multiple employers, labor organizations, local WIBs, postsecondary educational institutions, state workforce agencies or other entities providing state employment services

• Applicants must conduct robust analysis of labor supply and demand to identify key industry clusters and target populations, as well as barriers to employment

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The SECTORS Act

• Eligible partnerships must commit to a range of strategic objectives but have discretion about how to meet them. Objectives include (but are not limited to):

– Recruiting and regularly convening key stakeholders

– Identifying training needs of multiple businesses

– Helping postsecondary educational institutions and training institutions align curricula and programs to industry demands

– Developing and strengthening career ladders within and across companies

– Improving job quality through improving wages, benefits, and working conditions

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Goals for November Hill Visits• Build momentum for SECTORS

as we move towards WIA reauthorization

• Build visibility for sectoral approaches in other federal policy areas

• Establish relationships with policymakers and staff

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Where to Begin• Who should you visit? (Key committees next slide)

• Coordination of visits – who’s coming from your state?

• Hill Visit request template – personalize and fax to offices at at least two weeksleast two weeks before conference

• Follow up with email, call to labor staffer

• Do your homework – collect up-to-date brochures, data, etc. on your program – esp. Recovery Act data if available and applicable

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Priority Offices, Committees• You will have greater success scheduling meetings if you

are a constituent - Contact information at www.house.gov, www.senate.gov, www.congress.org

• House Ed & Labor/Senate HELP (WIA/SAFRA)

• House Ways & Means/Senate Finance committee members (TAA)

• Appropriations Committees ($$$)

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Keys to Successful Meetings• Be punctual, polite, prepared• You are the experts – talk about

what you know• Politics are local – make the

connection between your work and the state or district

• Keep it simple - make sure they know what action you want them to take

• Follow up – answer outstanding questions, offer site visits

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Questions?

Kermit KalebaThe Workforce Alliance202-223.8991, ext 103

kermitk@workforcealliance.orgwww.workforcealliance.org