Workforce Readiness
SHRM HR Apprenticeship Program
A webinar was held on August 12, 2021 that presented the SHRM HR Apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship is a key tool for developing the HR talent you need. It provides employees the training and guidance needed to be effective and credentialed HR professional in your organization. By cultivating the next generation of skilled HR leaders, we will create better workplaces that lead to a better world. Watch Mary Wright, SHRM Foundation volunteer interview Kim Brecheen with American Fidelity and Mike Shaw formerly with Embark OKC to learn of their passion for their apprenticeship programs. This was hosted by Christine Laird, OCHRS VP of Workforce Readiness. You may download the deck that was presented from this link.
Learn more about @SHRMFoundation’s @departmentoflabor nationally registered #HR Program at hrappentice.org.
- The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has partnered with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber to provide a directory of companies supplying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other supplies needed for operating according to guidelines set forth by the CDC and in the Open Up & Recover Safely Plan.
- Greater Grads – is no longer a brand being offered through the Chamber. InternOKC is a standalone program as part of our broader Talent initiatives. Once 2020 information for InternOKC has been released we will provide you an update.
- ACES – Formed in 2018, Oklahoma Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) is a statewide program for advancing Oklahoma’s aerospace industry by bringing together a comprehensive partnership of aerospace and defense organizations and companies, academia and government agencies.
- The primary goal of ACES is to establish a common statewide strategy for the growth of the Oklahoma aerospace industry. ACES will focus the collective aerospace resources into an integrated, coordinated statewide effort that will:
- Increase contracts between companies in the aviation, aerospace and defense industries in Oklahoma and the Department of Defense and its prime contractors.
- Create and retain high-wage, high-skill jobs
- Provide engineering and technical assistance
- Reduce costs for the Department of Defense and Oklahoma military installations and increase the competitiveness of aviation, aerospace and defense businesses in Oklahoma.
- Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB) – nonprofit organization carrying out the purposes and functions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014
- Key resources offered:
- Incumbent Worker Training
- Work-based training resource to keep employers, and the jobs they provide, viable.
- Employer shares in 10% – 50% of the cost depending on company size
- Maximum per project contribution capped at $10,000.
- Training should lead to a pay raise, consideration given to training leading to a credential
- Touted as a layoff aversion resource
- On-the-Job Training
- Reimbursements to businesses to help compensate for the costs associated with skills upgrading and loss of production for the training of newly hired employees
- WARN Notices/Rapid Response Actions – Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act: helps ensure advance notice in cases of qualified closings and layoffs. With this early notice, workers and their families are provided transition time to adjust to the prospective loss of employment, seek and obtain other employment, and through assistance to enter skill training or retraining that will allow those workers to successfully compete in the job market.
Upcoming Workforce Readiness related events
- April 3, 2020 10AM – 4 PM – Oklahoma Work-Based Learning Summit
- Content includes building quality internship and apprenticeship opportunities, supporting a diverse workforce and learning from challenges and celebrating success.
Featured Content
- Bridging the Opportunity Divide for Low-Income Youth: This report provides encouraging evidence on the implementation and early impacts of Year Up–a national sectoral training program for urban young adults aged 18-24 with a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Youth Committees under WIOA!: To support the transition to Youth Committees, the Division of Youth Services has hosted two webinars, Coming Together at the Table-The Power of Youth Committees to Convene, Coordinate and Collectively (2017) and Firing Up Youth Standing Committees (2015) as well as created a Recipes for Success: A Youth Committee Guide under WIOA designed to aid with transforming the potential of Youth Committees into measurable results.
- Labor Market Data Sources for Targeting Services to Special Populations: Here are some of the best sources for understanding special population characteristics and demographics in the labor force, and for using labor market information (LMI) to help you target services and design service delivery to special populations. Some special populations could include veterans, older workers, long term employed, disabled individuals, etc.
Oklahoma Workforce Initiatives and Programs
Oklahoma Works
Oklahoma Works’ vision is to align resources, education, training and job opportunities to build Oklahoma’s workforce. Oklahoma Works’ strategic priorities are coordinated by the Governor’s Council for Workforce and Economic Development.
Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) was established in 1987 by the Oklahoma legislature for the purpose of growing and diversifying the state’s economy through technology development, technology transfer and technology commercialization. The agency takes great pride in being recognized as a best-in-class, results-driven, high-performing and efficient organization that benefits our state by increasing research activity and public/private collaborations leading to innovation, new businesses, job growth, higher wages and an improved quality of life for the citizens of our state and nation. OCAST also is an active supporter of STEM education across Oklahoma’s common education system and provides funding to support internships between local industries and higher education.
OKJobMatch.com – A revolution in Oklahoma’s job matching technology. For job seekers and employers, the right match begins with the right resume. Matching the right people with the right jobs.
ACT WorkKeys – Oklahoma’s Career Readiness Certificate. Oklahoma’s Skills Assessment and Certification Program. How businesses can ensure that job candidates possess actual skills. WorkKeys assessment tool matches job seekers’ skill sets with employer needs and identify what type of training from Workforce Centers is needed to better prepare potential employees for jobs.
OKMilitaryConnection – Oklahoma is home to tens of thousands of veterans plus active National Guard and Reserve members who have served their country at home and abroad. Our goal is to help these individuals and spouses make the transition to life outside the military by providing them the resources they need. Our goal is to inform and support, not overwhelm. We thank you for your service and want to be of service to you.
OKHigherEdConnect.org – An online searchable database of business resources and services available at Oklahoma’s colleges and universities. Oklahoma’s higher education system is committed to growing Oklahoma businesses as well as recruiting companies to the state. The online searchable database of business resources available at Oklahoma’s colleges and universities demonstrates our commitment to businesses’ success. The Business Support Services database is a handy informational tool that is both simple to use and thorough. The business support services range from tools to help people start a business or expand their customer base to customized corporate training programs. Customers can search for a particular service by service, by city and proximity to a city, and by institution and region of the state. Ideally, a customer’s search results will direct them to the college or university with the business resource that fits their need.
Workforce Readiness by Industry:
Questions?
If you have any questions about workforce readiness programs, please feel free to contact us to see how we can help. Use the contact form below to send your question. Thanks!