Hello Readers,
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board, www.wtb.wa.gov) is the primary state agency tasked with worker training and retraining. They repurpose federal money and use some state money for a wide range of programs focused on helping improve the skills of the labor force.
Currently, the Workforce Board is launching a pilot program around what are called LiLAs, or Lifelong Learning Accounts. LiLAs are employer-matched, portable individual accounts to finance employee education and training. The US Dept. of Labor is the sponsoring agency through its WIRED grant program. The area of Washington state that is eligible is the Pacific Mountain region, which encompasses Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties. WTB wants technology companies to be participants in this pilot as well as to be part of the extended network of companies when this program rolls out statewide. A slideshow is attached that discusses LiLAs in more detail. Below is a cut and paste from Patrick Woods, the state program director for this project. Patrick can be reached at (360) 664-4232 if you want to participate or learn more. You may also contact us at Lmcmurran@washingtontechnology.org if you are a tech company wishing to participate.
Two recent studies that have highlighted the importance of Lifelong Learning in promoting a qualified workforce and competitive business sector.
* Tough Choices or Tough Times: http://www.skillscommissionorg/pdf/exec_sum/ToughChoices_EXECSUM.pdf
* Lifelong Learning/New Strategies: http://www.futureworks-web.com/pdf/publications/NewStrategiesforEducationofWorkingAdults.pdf
2. The following is some general background material on Lifelong Learning Accounts that we are sharing with interested employers:
The Lifelong Learning Account LiLA program is designed to assist employers and their employees in creating a lifelong learning environment in the workplace. Employees are encouraged and supported to invest in their training and education, that will enhance their skills. In turn they add to the company's ability to respond to ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities, both locally and globally. Washington was fortunate to receive a national grant to establish this pilot project in the five county region of Pacific, Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Mason counties. We are currently in the outreach phase of the project and are actively seeking companies and their employees to participate, in what we believe is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for all parties. It is also our intention to expand the use or Lifelong Learning Accounts LiLAs across Washington in the coming years. The LiLA Initiative is being funded through a grant from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning CAEL Foundation: http://www.cael.org/adultlearninginfocus.htm
The following are some frequently asked questions about LiLAs .
What are LiLAs? Lifelong Learning Account is a promising new strategy to finance training and education through matching contributions from employers and employees and in some cases third parties. LiLAs enable workers to upgrade their skills and knowledge to achieve their career goals and earning potential, while meeting the skill needs of their employers. LiLAs are particularly appealing because they leverage individual and employer investment, that not only benefits the workers and employers but also ensures that Washington's businesses are globally competitive
How do LiLAs Help Employers? Lifelong Learning is generally recognized as a key component of a high performing workplace, that must successfully adjust and respond to the changing the demands of today's economy. LiLAs provide companies with an affordable benefit they can offer to their employees to increase productivity, boost retention and reduce HR costs related to recruitment and hiring. In short it has the potential to first attract employees that are committed to growth and learning and once they are on-board help keep them longer or encourage them to promote within the company. From my own experience of managing 120 employees in central office in Olympia and matrix managing 350 people in the field, the LiLA program has tremendous potential for helping to attract and keep the best employees. In Washington we are truly excited about having Mike Hudson from the Association of Washington Business AWB and Jamie Krause from Pacific Mountain Workforce Consortium as a key partners in working with the business community and employees in order to ensure that the LiLA system works.
How do LiLAs Help Employees? Lifelong Learning provides employees with the opportunity to upgrade their skills through a joint funding mechanism between them and their employer and in some cases a third party match. The establishment of a LiLA account by an employee starts the "crucial conversation" on career goals and connects the employee with a career counselor that will help them discover the professional path that best fits their goals and skills set. In short LiLAs can turn a job into a career with all the benefits that accrue to higher level positions. On the employee advising side we are very fortunate to have the Pacific Mountain Workforce Consortium providing the career counseling services in the 5 county region which makes up the first pilot project area. It is important to note that there is currently a limited pool of third party funding in the form of educational and training scholarships for the first group of employees that participate in the LiLA program.
Washington LiLA Website: http://www.wtb.wa.gov/LifelongLearningAccount.asp