One of the main complaints of businesses in the United States today is the lack of a trained workforce. Workforce development programs seek to bridge the gap between demand and supply, and are therefore critically intertwined with economic development. IEDC is offering a course this September on workforce development strategies economic developers can use in their own communities, based on current research and taught by an experienced lineup of instructors. Check for more information and register online at www.iedconline.org

Workforce Development Strategies

» September 15-16, 2016 in Baltimore, MD

This class is held in partnership with Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA).

» Agenda

» Instructors

» Certification

» Accommodations/Training Location

» Registration

Skilled workers are the backbone of a productive and efficient economy, and a critical decision point in today’s business location decisions. This versatile course explains the essential relationship between economic and workforce development through case studies, practical examples, and current research. Course participants will learn what programs currently leverage federal, state/provincial, and local financial resources to support workforce development. Learn about what you can do through collaborative programs to build the workforce pipeline and upgrade the skills of your community's existing workforce. Other topics will include: the emerging demand-driven model in workforce development, sector strategies for targeted industry clusters, K-12 development and integration, occupational analysis, talent attraction, and more.

Course Highlights:

• The core components of the workforce development system and its essential role in economic development

• Understanding occupational data analysis

• Assessing qualifications, skills and abilities of current workforce

• Recruitment and retention of a skilled labor force

• The role of higher education in workforce and economic development

• New alliances, new models, federal funding and best practices in regional & local initiatives

Instructors

Vernon J. Gerth, CEcD
Assistant City Administrator, Community & Economic Development
City of Franklin, TN

Vernon J. Gerth joined the City of Franklin in January 2007 as the City’s first Assistant City Administrator for Community and Economic Development. His primary responsibilities include managerial oversight of the Planning & Sustainability, Engineering, Building & Neighborhood Services, Streets, and Parks Departments. Vernon’s passion for public service has spanned 27 years and has served the cities of Kenosha, Wisconsin and Vernon Hills, Illinois.

Diane Lupke, CEcD, FM
President
Lupke & Associates, Inc.

Ms. Diane Lupke, CEcD, FM is President of Lupke & Associates, Inc., Consultants in Community Economic Development. Lupke & Associates, Inc. is a consulting firm specializing in market-based solutions for communities in economic transition. Since its founding in 1990, Ms. Lupke, her Associations, and Staff have helped more than 100 communities to identify niche opportunities, build consensus, and transform lagging economies with “new economy” methods. Ms. Lupke is an authority on the use of enterprise zones and other special tools for development, and she has twenty-five years experience in designing and implementing development strategies.

John P. Metcalf
President
Workforce Systems Associates

Residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, John P. Metcalf has been involved in solving workforce development challenges for 17 years. First, as a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board where he served as the Vice-chair; then as a senior partner with the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce; and now as President Workforce Systems Associates. Before his involvement with solving community workforce challenges, John spent 30 years at AT&T in a broad range of sales, marketing, and executive leadership positions allowing him to bring a business focus to workforce and community planning.

Accommodations/Training Location

Hyatt Regency Baltimore on Inner Harbo
300 Light St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 528-1234