Priority Project Task Force Descriptions

Task Force Descriptions

A set of priority projects emerged from the discussion at the All Committee Meeting on August 12, 2008.  These priority projects were shaped with input from the Steering Committee, Leadership Team, Education, and Workforce Development Board committees.  The four priority projects are highlighted below along with the subsequent task force groups that reinforce the priority project. As several of the task force groups have concluded their work, new projects have materialized.   These projects are closely inter-related to one another and essentially build components of the regional talent development network.

Research-Related Priorities

• Competency Study of Driver Occupations. The Compentency Study task force is developing a proposal about how to undertake a competency study that examines the "demand-side" environment of Southeastern Wisconsin.  The group has determined the approrpriate content of such a study and is currently identifying likely sources for that information. 

UPDATE:  The project was approved for funding by the Steering Committee.  There are three components to the project: 1) a "Quick Hit" study of competencies based on the Deloitte study of the driver industires;  2) Job Opening Study Survey; and 3) the Competency Study.  The "Quick Hit" Study is complete and the results can be viewed here.  The Job Opening Survey and Competency Study are complete.  See below to view the final results: Job Openings Study    

• Assessment of the Relative Contribution by Education. This group is developing a proposal for taking the industry skill and occupation demand data and mapping it back to the educational institutions to show to the degree to which each institution is contributing to the talent needs for the region.

Data System-Related Priorities

• Database of Talent within Region.  Creating or designating a common database for the region to build a more effective relationship with job seeking candidates is the charge for this task force.
• Business Services Alignment & Coordination.  This task force has prepared a proposal for a comprehensive customer analysis of employers and the development of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategy for regional business services offered through the Job Centers in the Milwaukee 7 region. 

UPDATE: The project was approved for funding by the Steering Committee.  An RFP will be issued at the end of July, 2009 to find a vendor to complete the project elements.   

Collaborative Funding Priority

• Protocol for Regional Grant Writing.  A protocol will be developed for the workforce development, technical college, and economic development partners from the Regional Workforce Alliance with the Milwaukee 7 region.  The goal is to secure more federal funding for the region.

Talent Development Priorities for Driver Industries

• NGM Career Campaign.  This task force has defined their scope of work by the following three main goals:  1)  To provide a place to support and publicize the positive image of manufacturing. Shouting the Positives of Manufacturing; 2)  To provide a single hub of information and resources for targeted audiences.  Sourcing Careers in Manufacturing Information; 3)  To provide a place to coordinate regional activities whereby sharing activities and best practices. 
• Internship Opportunities.  The goal of this task force is to identify and connect successful internships to organizations that will provide young people with hands-on experience to grow the region's workfoce, prevent brain drain,and fill jobs with the right people.  

 UPDATE:  A Summer Youth Outreach effort was initiated throughout the seven-county region to support summer youth job progras that are administered by each county.  This joint effort of the three workforce boards (Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board, the Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington Workforce Development Board and the Southeast Wisconsin Workforce Development Board) was developed to generate interest and expand employer participation in the existing summer youth internships administered by each county.  Click here more information on the program.   

• Catch and Referral of Non-Hires.  With growing pools of unemployed workers, hiring managers will likely be faced with an incresaed number of unqualified candidates applying for openings.  Rather than send rejection letters, how can the unqualified candidates be actively directed to resources within the network to grow the talent pool?  This task force is exploring a regional approach to developing a referral network for unqualified applicants instead of sending the traditional rejection letter.

UPDATE:  Due to the economic conditions of our region, this task force is on hold. The concept may be used with the Employer-Led Collaborative project with the Innovation Fund.