WIB Members Attend NAWB

Five members of the Workforce Investment Board attended the National Association of Workforce Board Annual Conference in Washington D.C. Feb. 23rd - 27th Forum 2008 - Collaborate, Advocate, and Innovate: Helping America Work! It was held at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington.

The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) represents business-led Workforce Investment Boards that plan and oversee state and local workforce development and job training programs. Workforce Boards consist of public and private sector members who are providing workforce development leadership in their communities.

NAWB Keynote Speaker Newt Gingrich called for a “fundamental change” on workforce development policies. Gingrich proposed new recommendations that he believed should be the mainstream efforts to a better skilled Workforce:

• ·National dialogue “what does it take to have a successful economy”?
• ·A comprehensive plan for economy and energy. We need to have tax reforms to reward savings and investment, aggressive attitudes towards trade agreements. Gingrich says, “I would appoint a lawyer”
• ·A workforce training program which is very adaptive, flexible, and competitive.

Responding to a question on workforce development policy from an attendee, the former House Speaker advocated a continual separation between workforce development efforts and more traditional educational institutions, warning against trying to achieve innovative policies in existing bureaucratic organizations.

At the Workforce Investment Board meeting in Bowling Green March 3, 2008 at the BRADD conference center, George Leamon, WIA Director called on two or three board members to comment on the NAWB conference. Ms. Manon Pardue (WKU) expressed how good the trip was for all members who attended this conference. “A lot of wonderful information was there, and so many resources that we took away”, said Ms. Pardue. Mr. Devin Harper (Logan Aluminum) explained that the training tools in effect now are somewhat old-fashioned. “The labor force coming on today thinks entirely different than most of us who have been in the workforce for a number of years” said Mr. Harper. He articulated the need for modification to our training methods and the need for transitioning into a “new approach” as we bring on the computer-skilled generation. “We are still training today like we where sixty years ago”. Many are now being trained through video games today” said Mr. Harper.