Workforce Development is the cornerstone to any effective economic development program. The 2012 AED Spring Conference will equip local communities with the necessary tools to have an effective workforce development program.

Course Highlights:

• Basics of workforce development
• Basics of workforce development research to include terms and definitions, and data sources at both state and federal levels.
• ACT WorkKeys system with special emphasis on the process of job profiling
• The role of two-year colleges in workforce development with emphasis on workforce training consortiums.
• The role of the Department of Career Education with special emphasis on the Career Facilitation Program.
• Challenges facing economic developers addressing the needs of displaced workers resulting from plant closures and potential solutions.
• Workforce Investment Boards and new directions being considered.
• The Career Pathways program and how it is addressing the needs of a hard to serve population

Special Presentation

“Heal Arkansas” program as an innovative approach to creating “green” jobs.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided Department of Energy funding through the Arkansas Energy Office to the William J. Clinton Foundation Climate Initiative in Arkansas for the establishment of the State’s first employer-assisted energy benefit program.   The Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL) pilot program targets energy affordability, job creation and greenhouse gas reductions by helping participating businesses reduce their utility expenditures and assisting their employees to perform similar energy saving measures in their homes.

2012_Spring_Conference_Agenda.pdf

Registration_for_2012_Spring_Conference.pdf