DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Local Plan for 2017-2020.
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance approving the Workforce Solutions Alamo Local Plan for 2017-2020.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state agency that oversees and provides workforce development funding for services to employers and job seekers in Texas. TWC provides funding and services through 28 regional workforce boards, including the locally-created Workforce Solutions Alamo (“WSA”). WSA serves Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina, and Wilson counties (the “WSA Service Area”).
The City of San Antonio and the surrounding 13 counties are parties to an Interlocal Agreement through the Chief Elected Officials (the “CEOs”) of the WSA Service Area, whereby they oversee the planning, budgeting, administration, and execution of WSA programs. The CEO’s have established a “Committee of Six” to carry out their duties and responsibilities, which include recommending approval of the Local Plan to be submitted to the TWC as required by state law. The WSA board of directors approved the Local Plan on January 11, 2017 and the Committee of 6 approved the Local Plan on January 26, 2017. Final approval must be given by the City Council and the surrounding county’s respective political bodies prior to submission to TWC.
Workforce Solutions Alamo Annual Local Plan for 2017-2020
Workforce Solutions Alamo’s (WSA) Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Directors and staff initiated processes to address key mandates of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act and to ensure that the local plan aligns with a) The Texas Workforce System Strategic Plan FY 2016-2023, b) The Texas Workforce Commission 2015-2019 Strategic Plan, c) the Combined State Plan for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA of 2014 PY 2016-PY 2019), and d) the Adult Education and Literacy Strategic Plan for FY 2015-FY 2020. This Plan also fulfills the local partnership agreements and requirements in collaboration with the chief elected officials.
The Local plan addresses strategic and operational elements that WSA will undertake to support the local workforce development system and align with WSA’s mission, vision and core values. To develop the plan, extensive research was conducted including a comprehensive regional labor market analysis and an assessment of the delivery of services and partnerships. Substantial focus was placed on incorporating the new WIOA mandates into the local program design.
ISSUE:
State law requires the approval of the chief elected officials of the Local Plan prior to submission to TWC and the local Partnership Agreement requires the approval of City Council and the surrounding county’s political bodies.
ALTERNATIVES:
Failure by all the Chief Elected Official’s to approve the Workforce Solutions Alamo Annual Local Plan for 2017-2020 will not conform to the Partnership Agreement. If an approved Local Plan is not submitted to TWC by February 28, 2017, WSA will be out of compliance with state law.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the City’s Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Board Appointments and Annual Local Plan for 2017-2020.