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Advocating for Sectors on Capitol Hill

Advocating for Sectors on Capitol Hill. NNSP National Conference Planning Call - October 21, 2009. Objectives Today. Update on sectoral partnerships under federal policy Talk about SECTORS Act (S.777, HR 1855) Hill visit preparation tips. Who We Are.

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Advocating for Sectors on Capitol Hill

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  1. Advocating for Sectors on Capitol Hill NNSP National Conference Planning Call - October 21, 2009

  2. Objectives Today • Update on sectoral partnerships under federal policy • Talk about SECTORS Act (S.777, HR 1855) • Hill visit preparation tips

  3. Who We Are • Multi-Stakeholder: business, labor, CBOs, community colleges, public workforce and higher-ed systems • Best Practices: Bringing the expertise of the field into policy discussions • Influence Public Policy: Core mission is to promote policies that expand access to education and training for all people

  4. Why We Are • Notion that “training doesn’t work” drove most policy debates • Workforce policies had few champions, and the skills issue had no political profile—leading to “work first” policies

  5. The Skills2Compete Campaign • Launched in 2007 • Calls for guaranteed access to up to two years of post-secondary education or training leading to a degree, certificate, or industry recognized credential at the pace and place that makes the most sense for workers and industries • Also need access to basic skills education to ensure people can take advantage of training opportunities

  6. New Skills Strategy The “3 Ps” • Partnerships • Pathways • Proportionate Investment

  7. Sector partnerships under Federal Policy • New “Industry or Sector Partnership Grant Program for Communities Impacted by Trade” under TAA reauthorization (ARRA) • DOL Guidance for Recovery Act funds • Testimony from Asst. Sec. Oates during October Ed & Labor hearing • Senate HELP staff “listening sessions.” • Loebsack/Fudge amendment to the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3221)

  8. The SECTORS Act • Introduced by Sens. Brown, Snowe as S.777, Reps. Loebsack and Platts as H.R. 1855. Two additional Senate co-sponsors, eleven House co-sponsors • Would provide $250,000 1-year planning grants, $2.5 million 3-year implementation grants to eligible partnerships • Eligible partnerships must include multiple employers, labor organizations, local WIBs, postsecondary educational institutions, state workforce agencies or other entities providing state employment services • Applicants must conduct robust analysis of labor supply and demand to identify key industry clusters and target populations, as well as barriers to employment

  9. The SECTORS Act • Eligible partnerships must commit to a range of strategic objectives but have discretion about how to meet them. Objectives include (but are not limited to): • Recruiting and regularly convening key stakeholders • Identifying training needs of multiple businesses • Helping postsecondary educational institutions and training institutions align curricula and programs to industry demands • Developing and strengthening career ladders within and across companies • Improving job quality through improving wages, benefits, and working conditions

  10. Goals for November Hill Visits • Build momentum for SECTORS as we move towards WIA reauthorization • Build visibility for sectoral approaches in other federal policy areas • Establish relationships with policymakers and staff

  11. Where to Begin • Who should you visit? (Key committees next slide) • Coordination of visits – who’s coming from your state? • Hill Visit request template – personalize and fax to offices at least two weeks before conference • Follow up with email, call to labor staffer • Do your homework – collect up-to-date brochures, data, etc. on your program – esp. Recovery Act data if available and applicable

  12. Priority Offices, Committees • You will have greater success scheduling meetings if you are a constituent - Contact information at www.house.gov, www.senate.gov, www.congress.org • House Ed & Labor/Senate HELP (WIA/SAFRA) • House Ways & Means/Senate Finance committee members (TAA) • Appropriations Committees ($$$)

  13. Keys to Successful Meetings • Be punctual, polite, prepared • You are the experts – talk about what you know • Politics are local – make the connection between your work and the state or district • Keep it simple - make sure they know what action you want them to take • Follow up – answer outstanding questions, offer site visits

  14. Questions? Kermit Kaleba The Workforce Alliance 202-223.8991, ext 103 kermitk@workforcealliance.org www.workforcealliance.org

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