Update from Joe Tuerff, Chair - September 2008
Phoenix Workforce Connection Board

The Vision of the Phoenix Workforce Connection is "To become a high value network of choice for building a workforce to keep business competitive and sustain economic growth." I am proud to say that in fiscal year 2008, we began to see this vision become reality in powerful ways within the business and workforce communities we serve.

Our partnership with Maricopa Workforce Connections began to take shape as both Phoenix Workforce Connection (PWC) and Maricopa Workforce Connections (MWC) determined where our systems complemented one another in preparation for our combined efforts to meet regional workforce issues identified at the Workforce Summit held in April of 2007. This internal systems analysis was key to avoid duplication of efforts to maximize the return on limited time and financial resources both boards have to invest. Subcommittee structures on both boards were functionally aligned in the areas of System Effectiveness, Business Services, and Advocacy to drive the partnership from the ground up!

In 2008, we invited the manufacturing industry to the Board and they responded with some of the most respected business people in the manufacturing sector. Their metric, data driven, continual process improvement approach to business insights has helped strengthen both the One-Stops and the Board. Additionally, they helped drive a workforce system- industry partnership effort that will be the model for similar collaborative efforts in the future. The PWC in partnership with the Arizona Tool and Machining Association, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Arizona Manufacturing Network, the City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department along with 23 advance manufacturing businesses, put on the first Robotics Show Down and Internship Program! The program gave 35 youths training and real life paid work experience allowing high school students, teachers, and parents to see, most for the first time, the rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing with fantastic upside potential. In addition, students learned how manufacturing is key to the economic health and security of our nation. Similar efforts continued as the PWC and CEDD partnered with the Health Care industry and we continued to make progress in efforts to link workforce efforts to the six major targeted industry clusters of Heath Care, Advanced Manufacturing, Software and Information Technology (IT), Advanced Business Services, Bio Science and Aerospace.

Fiscal year 2008 was not without its challenges. The federal government rescinded carry over dollars, strapping a workforce system already under extreme financial pressure due to multi-year funding reductions. The need to supplement federal dollars with private sector investment sources, quickly, is vital to the sustainability of the workforce system throughout the region. Other major markets have done it. Our partnership with MWC provides a stronger compelling business case as we approach firms in the targeted industry clusters to get involved in greater ways then ever before.

Our facilities need to be upgraded. As we build the next generation workforce system in partnership with MWC, we need to operate in a "next generation workforce center", one that is a centralized, world class operation uniquely designed to meet the needs of job seekers and the most sophisticated businesses alike. Greater use of technology is needed now and in the future to enable us to reach more of the people who need our services at less cost. Designing and implementing a robust, virtual platform must take place soon if our goal of becoming the premier network of choice for building the workforce to keep business competitive is to be fully realized.

Under the direction of the Cynthia Spell, Deputy Director, and One-Stop Coordinator, Stan Flowers, PWC met or exceeded all federal performance measure standards! But just as important, their teams, along with many others in Community and Economic Development, met Board expectations which go well beyond federal measures; expectations that are directly tied to success in linking workforce efforts to the most important sectors of our regional economy. I want to thank Cynthia and Stan for their effective and skillful leadership of the PWC.

The challenges facing the PWC in 2009 and beyond have never been greater, but the PWC board has never been stronger or empowered like they are today, with gifted and talented leaders from private, public, education and community-based organizations, ready and capable of taking head-on what lies ahead. If you are a job seeker in need of assistance, stop in, visit us and let us serve you. If you are a business leader in the community who has a passion about helping people succeed locally so we can compete with greater success in the global marketplace of today and tomorrow, I invite you to contact me, Chairman-elect Michael Fisher, or any of the members of the PWC board to learn how you and the industry you represent can make an impact in your community that will benefit people and businesses today and for generations to come!

Sincerely,
Joseph D. Tuerff, Chair
Phoenix Workforce Connection