One of the nation's deadliest tornados struck Joplin, Missouri ten years this week. On episode 27 of Ready for Work, we take a closer look at Joplin's recovery through the lens of the workforce ecosystem and the nation's first ACT-certified Work Ready Community.A recurring theme is the priceless value of partnership connectivity and innovation. The workforce ecosystem was fortunate to have integrated partnerships with education and economic development that helped respond directly to the needs and urgency required. Check out interviews with a few of those partners, such as Dave Rockers from Franklin Technology Center, Julie Gibson, a former state workforce development director, and Rob O’Brian, the developer at the helm of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce during the recovery effort. This edition showcases clips from participants and leaders in Joplin's Disaster Recovery Jobs Program. Guests and Featured ResourcesRob O’Brian, O’Brian and Associates, former President of the Joplin Area Chamber of CommerceDave Rockers, Director, Franklin Technology CenterJulie Gibson, GPS Impact, former director of Missouri Workforce DevelopmentCitizens Advisory Recovery TeamSouthwest Missouri Workforce BoardDisaster Recovery Jobs Program Statewide Video JournalDisaster Recovery and Resiliency Series – Ready for Work PodcastResiliency Toolkit and Disaster Recovery Resources from ACTACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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Joplin's Road to Recovery as a Work Ready Community - Ten Years After Devastating Tornado Disaster

The region's workforce ecosystem is only as strong as its leadership. Joining us on episode 25 of Ready for Work, author and consultant Dr. Anthony Edwards helps guide us from new book, Building a Winning Workforce: A Playbook for Employers, Government Entities; Colleges & Schools; Workforce Development Agencies, Economic Development Organizations ... & Chambers of Commerce; & Nonprofits. Later in the podcast, we'll listen to this leadership in action as Missouri's governor celebrates job creation and growth in Certified Work Ready Communities. Guests and Featured ResourcesDr. Anthony Edwards, author of Building a Winning WorkforceGeneral Manager at ETX Innovation CenterLinkedInTwitterRay McCarty, Associated Industries of MissouriMardy Leathers, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce DevelopmentMissouri Governor Mike ParsonWork Ready Communities at ACT See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

26 - Training Workforce Ecosystem Leaders for Success

Keeping the future in mind is a necessary function for persisting through disaster recovery. As regions continue to overcome the pandemic, there is a balance in preparing for future opportunities and obstacles at the same time. Episode 25 features Chad Chancellor, Co-Founder and CEO of the Next Move Group.Listeners can gain insight on the ever-changing skills marketplace in economic development and how that translates to expectations for workforce development and career education leaders. Chad explains how smaller markets and rural areas could see increased viability.Prospects and investors appreciate a simple, user-friendly approach with the buckets of recruit, screen, and train. Chad helps listeners find the right balance in wage competitiveness as well.Rounding out episode 25 are recaps from Mark Arend of Site Selection magazine as new rankings are out for 2021. Preble County, Ohio’s economic development chief, Brenda Latanza, shares her experience in the site selection process as a Work Ready Community.Guests and ContributorsChad Chancellor, Next Move GroupMark Arend, Site Selection MagazineBrenda Latanza, Preble County (OH) Development PartnershipResourcesNext Move Group2021 State of the States and Regional Workforce Rankings from Site Selection MagazineEpisode 18 with Mark Arend of Site Selection MagazineEpisode 10 Work Ready Communities OverviewEpisode 1 Using Work Ready Communities for Economic DevelopmentACT Workforce NewsletterACT Workforce SolutionsACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

25 - Rebooting Economic and Workforce Development for 2021

In our third of three episodes dedicated to Skills-Based Recovery and Resiliency, episode 24 brings us to the Deploy and Analyze phases in the five-part ALEDA framework. Sean McCoy from Public Consulting Group shares some factors worth considering in the deployment of recovery services remotely.  We’ll check out some best practice examples in remote work-based learning with Kelly Dyer in Missouri, and remote instruction with Brownwyn Robertson in Mississippi. Mike Longo and Mary LeFebvre are back with us to share tips and perspectives in analyzing recovery and resiliency efforts. Episode 22 covers the Adapt phase while 23 explores the Lead and Engage phases. Guests and ContributorsSean McCoy, Public Consulting GroupKelly Dyer, Missouri InternConnect and ApprenticeConnectMike Longo, Lorain County Workforce Agency and OhioMeansJobs CenterBrownwyn Robertson, Mississippi Adult Education Smart StartMary LeFebvre, ACT Governmental Affairs ResourcesSign up for the ACT Toolkits on Skills-Based Hiring for Recovery and ResiliencyPublic Consulting Group and VERA SolutionMissouri InternConnect and ApprenticeConnectEpisode 11: Next-Level Apprenticeship and Work-Based LearningACT Case Study on Ohio Re-Employment Success in Lorain County/Northern OhioACT Case Study on Ohio Statewide Re-Employment SuccessEpisode 20: Adult Education Success in Mississippi with WorkKeys CurriculumMississippi Adult Education Smart StartWorkKeys CurriculumEpisode 22: Adapt Phase of ALEDA Framework (Part 1 of 3)Episode 23: Lead and Engage Phases of ALEDA Framework (Part 2 of 3)ACT Workforce NewsletterACT Workforce SolutionsACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

24 - Deploy and Analyze Recovery and Resiliency Initiatives

Workforce ecosystem leaders encounter plenty of challenging layers to disaster recovery and economic resiliency.  ACT curated a five-part toolkit with a framework we call ALEDA.  We covered the Adapt phase in Episode 22. In this installment, we explore the Lead and Engage phases.  We have an interview with Lisa Rice, a former Workforce Director turned leadership consultant. Lisa offers perspectives on three qualities of a leader in disaster recovery, and advice for those new to skills-based recovery systems.  Mike Longo, a workforce director in the certified Work Ready Community of Lorain County, Ohio.  Through the OhioMeansJobs centers, Mike’s team deployed the Make Your Lay Off Pay Off initiative.  Mike shares lessons learned from the last economic downturn, and how they reformed training and quality standards in their deployment.  Guests and ContributorsLisa Rice, Every Strength CountsMike Longo, Lorain County Workforce Agency and OhioMeansJobs CenterEd Morrison, Agile Strategy Lab and co-author of Strategic DoingResourcesSign up for the ACT Toolkits on Skills-Based Hiring for Recovery and ResiliencyEvery Strength Counts Leadership Development, Consulting, Peer EngagementLorain County OhioMeansJobsACT Case Study on Ohio Re-Employment Success in Lorain County/Northern OhioACT Case Study on Ohio Statewide Re-Employment SuccessEpisode 22: Adapt Phase of ALEDA Framework (Part 1 of 3)Episode 24: Deploy and Analyze Phases of ALEDA Framework (Part 3 of 3)Episode 4: Getting Strategic About Doing Agile Strategy Lab ACT Workforce NewsletterACT Workforce SolutionsACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

23 - Leading and Engaging Recovery and Resiliency

Ready for Work episode 22 is the first of three on the ALEDA Framework using Skills-Based Hiring for Disaster Recovery and Economic Resiliency. The five-part framework is Adapt, Lead, Engage, Deploy, and Analyze. We focus this episode on the Adapt phase in Data, Skills, and Systems.The Adapt phase helps us re-position traditional disaster recovery models to meet the needs of your local economy. We must adapt our local data to be current and actionable in order to address each issue organically. Skills for the jobs that remain or return often change dramatically based on the pivots employers make to adapt to their new market realities. Disaster recovery often requires unbundling of your current services to create the flexibility needed to convert options for remote access and other safety protocols.  Guests and ContributorsMary LeFebvre, ACT Governmental Affairs Eric Canada, Blane-Canada Ltd.Chris Manheim, Manheim Solutions and Certified WorkKeys ProfilerVirginia Hamiliton, WorkforceGPSSean McCoy, Public Consulting GroupResourcesSign up for ACT Toolkits on Skills-Based Hiring for Recovery and ResiliencyBRE Covid Response Network from Blane Canada LtdACT WorkKeys JobPro Database (for probing skill levels by job title)Customer-Centered Design Community of Practice from WorkforceGPSWorkforceGPS Pathway to Recovery ResourcesContact Risk Database for Return to Work PlanningEpisode 23: Lead and Engage Phases of ALEDA Framework (Part 2 of 3)Episode 24: Deploy and Analyze Phases of ALEDA Framework (Part 3 of 3)ACT Workforce NewsletterACT Workforce SolutionsACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

22 Adapting for Recovery with Data, Skills, and Systems

As a pandemic impacts communities everywhere, regional workforce ecosystems must implement reemployment strategies to become more adaptable. Hear stories of resilience happening real-time.Join the ConversationWill Coppage: TwitterWashington County Economic Alliance: TwitterMary LeFebvre Twitter: Twitter  LinkedInFirst Tennessee Development District: LinkedIn Facebook InstagramJasen Jones Twitter:  @JasenCJonesACT Twitter: @actACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedInResourcesRequest the Toolkits on Disaster Recovery and Economic Resiliency or Proposal DevelopmentResilient Workforce Ecosystems WebinarACT COVID-19 Resource Page Work Ready Communities COVID-19 Resource PageACT Workforce Newsletter SignupACT Workforce SummitACT Work Ready Communities  ACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

21 Resilient Workforce Ecosystems Leading Skills-Based Economic Recovery

Bronwyn Robertson shares how Mississippi Community College Board’s Smart Start adult education equips adult learners with workforce credentials (including the WorkKeys NCRC) and ultimately them for success.What more can adult education programs be doing to prepare participants for career success? As the job market continues to evolve, more and more learners rely on these programs to educate them on financial literacy, career awareness skills, class management systems, sector strategies, and countless other workforce-related topics.Smart Start, a program of the Office of Adult Education at the Mississippi Community College Board, is taking the initiative by equipping its participants with vital career readiness skills and credentials. Smart Start Project Specialist Bronwyn Robertson is hopeful that this program will continue to close the gap between worker supply and demand.Founded upon ACT® WorkKeys® Curriculum, Smart Start is a 45-hour intensive course that teaches participants how to apply their specialized skills beyond high school. Students also have the opportunity to earn their ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®). Robertson and her team agree that earning these credentials is critical—particularly for those 350,000 Mississippi residents who do not have their high school diploma.“The Smart Start program through the Office of Adult Education is a career pathway,” shares Robertson. “At the end of the day, we are all trying to provide every Mississippian the opportunity to secure employment.”With over 6,200 Smart Start credentials offered since 2016, it’s clear that Mississippi’s adult education initiative has made a lasting impact on the success of its participants. Tune in to Episode 20 and hear more about how Mississippi’s Smart Start plan is empowering current and future jobseekers.Join the ConversationSkill UP Mississippi: Facebook and TwitterMississippi Community College Board: TwitterJasen Jones Twitter:  @JasenCJonesACT Twitter: @actACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedInResourcesImplementation of ACT WorkKeys Curriculum in Adult Education Presentation from ACT Workforce SummitOffice of Adult Education at the Mississippi Community College BoardACT® WorkKeys® CurriculumACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®)ACT Work Ready CommunitiesACT Workforce Summit See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

20 Adult Education Success in Mississippi with Guest Bronwyn Robertson

The Missouri Department of Corrections’ reentry program is equipping returning citizens with career credentials, barrier removal supports, and the WorkKeys NCRC. Reentry Coordinator Shelly Jacobs joins us to share the impact on their workforce.As employers across the nation are expanding their outreach efforts in search of a dedicated workforce, the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) has developed new ways to prepare returning citizens for steady employment upon release. Since implementing the reentry program two years ago, Missouri’s prison population has decreased by 7,000 individuals—a shift that Shelly Jacobs, a reentry coordinator with the Missouri DOC, believes is an encouraging sign for the future.  With approximately 19,000 men and women released from prison each year in the state of Missouri, reentry programs are vital to building up credentials and reinforcing basic skills. Administering ACT® WorkKeys® Assessments and giving them the chance to earn their ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®), says Jacobs, is the best way to represent the prison population as a viable workforce opportunity.  “These men and women have got the skills,” Jacobs shares. “They just need that second chance. So the NCRC is proof to these employers that these people do have basic skills that, really, can be valuable in any position, regardless of the position.” Join us as we learn more about the exciting ways that prison reentry programs are changing today’s economic landscape, and how Missouri’s prison population may yet be the next professional development network.  Join the ConversationMissouri Department of Corrections: Twitter and FacebookJasen Jones Twitter:  @JasenCJonesACT Twitter: @actACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedInResourcesMissouri Department of Corrections (DOC)ACT® WorkKeys® AssessmentsACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®)ACT Work Ready Communities  ACT Workforce Solutions  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

19 Making the Most of Second Chances with Guest Shelly Jacobs

Work Ready Communities (WRC) from ACT is a framework for community-based workforce development to drive economic growth. Regions improve their workforce and compete on quality for location consultants, investors, and other decision-makers using data powered by the WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate. Episode 18 of the Ready for Work podcast showcased Site Selection Magazine’s annual State of the States reports and the Regional Workforce Development Climate rankings. The WRC website has a helpful article on economic development as well.Why does an organization invest millions of dollars in one area versus an another? It very well may come down to the area’s workforce.A lot of factors go into choosing a site, and a smart, skilled workforce is right at the top of the list. That’s why Site Selection magazine delivers relevant data/information on the topic for over 44,000 readers, including corporate executives, site selection consultants, and real estate professionals. According to Mark Arend, Editor in Chief of Site Selection, it’s one thing to say, “We have a terrific workforce.” It’s another thing to prove it—and by publishing unbiased data, that’s what Site Selection does.On this episode, we cover:An overview of the site selection processPurpose of the publication’s popular State of the States reportThe role of the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®) as the indicator of workforce quality at a locationEconomic development impacts us all—in urban and rural areas across America. Listen as Mark Arend discusses more about this topic, along with some of the challenges he sees ahead.Join the ConversationMark Arend: LinkedInSite Selection Magazine: LinkedIn, Twitter, and FacebookJasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJonesACT Twitter: @actACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedInResourcesSite Selection Magazine: State of the StatesSite Selection Magazine: Regional Workforce RankingsEconomic Development in Work Ready CommunitiesACT WorkKeys®ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®)ACT Work Ready CommunitiesACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

18 Site Selection and Workforce Development with Guest Mark Arend

Career readiness is a hot topic these days. An updated report from ACT has a wealth of data on the subject that you won’t find anywhere else.   For career navigation, or for counselors, students, or folks looking for a job change, The Condition of Career Pathway Readiness in the United States 2019 report—and this podcast—will provide some great insight.  You can take a look at the report here.   The updated report looks at the progress of the ACT®-tested 2019 U.S. high school graduating class relative to college and career readiness. Specifically, the report includes data tables broken out for all 16 Career Technical Education Career Clusters. More than numbers and figures, the report offers some method behind the madness of trying to figure out what different types of career readiness could mean for different individuals and use cases.  Join the ConversationMary LeFebvre: @MaryLeFebruaryMary LeFebvre: LinkedInJeffrey Steedle: LinkedInJasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJonesACT Twitter: @actACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedInResourcesThe Condition of Career Pathway Readiness in the United States 2019 research reportPresentation at 2019 ACT Workforce Summit (PowerPoint)What’s Important for Success in Future Jobs? (Press Release)ACT ResearchACT WorkKeysACT Workforce SummitACT Work Ready CommunitiesACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

17 Career Pathway Readiness with ACT Researchers Mary LeFebvre and Jeff Steedle

Rural America is facing some incredible challenges. When rural students graduate high school many of them move away to urban areas. The up-and-coming generation tends to overlook their opportunities in rural areas. This hurts the economy of local communities, including those in Southwest Tennessee.The Southwest Tennessee Rural Workforce Readiness Collaborative is working to reverse this problem. By building a comprehensive approach to help bridge the skills gap, they’re beginning to show students the opportunities around them for meaningful employment in great-paying careers—like manufacturing and construction—and then providing the path.In order to strengthen the workforce across four rural counties, the collaborative pursued—and received—a first-of-its-kind $250,000 grant from the USDA. It will likely serve as a national model for similar programs across the nation seeking to build on the success of ACT® Work Ready Communities and generate investment in the talent pipeline.On this episode of Ready for Work, we’re joined by Joe T. Wood and Jim Tracy. They discuss the importance of workforce development in rural areas, the technology that the USDA’s grant is making possible, the implementation of ACT programs, and what’s happening next.Join the ConversationJim Tracy Twitter: @JimTracyJoe T. Wood LinkedIn: Joe T WoodJasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJonesACT Twitter: @actACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedInResourcesPresentation from Joe T. Wood and Jim Tracy at ACT Workforce SummitUSDA Rural Development grant to Tennessee Board of Regents will assist workforce readiness in Chester, Decatur, Henderson & Perry countiesTennessee School Board Association Career Cluster DashboardUSDA Rural Community Development InitiativeACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®)ACT Work Ready CommunitiesACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

16 Connecting Rural Development Strategies and Resources with guests Joe T. Wood and Jim Tracy

Josh Davies, CEO of the Center for Work Ethic Development is passionate about helping others make a difference in their lives, jobs, and community. We were fortunate to have Josh deliver one of the FRED Talks as well as a breakout session at the recent ACT Workforce Summit. By using employer-based research, defining the seven behaviors of work ethic, and innovative teaching, participants discover how to make lasting behavior change. On episode 15 of Ready for Work, we feature Josh’s FRED Talk with trends in social-emotional learning and some insights on millennials and generational decline that may surprise you.Join the ConversationJosh Davies Twitter: @ResultsDriverCenter for Work Ethic Development: @WorkEthicCenterCenter for Work Ethic Development: FacebookJasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJonesACT Twitter: @actACT LinkedIn: ACT Workforce SolutionsResourcesFRED Talk at 2019 ACT Workforce Summit (PowerPoint)The Center for Work Ethic DevelopmentACT Tessera® WorkforceACT Workforce SummitACT Work Ready CommunitiesACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

15 Work Ethic for the 21st Century Workforce with guest Josh Davies

Why are so many well-educated and well-supported American youths struggling to make successful transitions to adult life? It’s an important question and the first that Hans Meeder asks on Episode 14 of our Ready for Work podcast, which was recorded at our recent ACT Workforce Summit.Hans works at the National Center for College and Career Transitions (NC3T), which he founded in 2012. His organization believes in a simple concept: every young American should have a dream and a plan. The problem? Millions of students don’t.Hans argues that the missing piece is Career Connected Learning, which is defined as a range of activities that help students connect learning to the real world to develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset they’ll need to successfully enter the world of work, careers, and community life.This concept isn’t only for some students. It’s for all students. The harsh reality is that so many students—regardless of location or demographic—are struggling to make the transition to adult life, even with a great high school education.Hans also discusses elements of Career Connected Learning that are often overlooked, including hands-on learning and career navigation skills.Listen as Hans provides his passionate insight on the successful profile of a career and life-ready graduate, how the design of a career development model engages students, families, and community members, and much more.Join the ConversationHans Meeder Twitter: @HansMeederHans Meeder LinkedInJasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJones Jasen Jones LinkedIn ACT Twitter: @act ACT LinkedIn: ACT Workforce SolutionsResourcesHow American Communities Can Embrace Career Connected Learning for All Students presentation at 2019 ACT Workforce Summit (PPTX)National Center for College & Career TransitionsACT Workforce SummitACT® Work Ready Communities ACT® Workforce Solutions NC3T Career-Connected Learning (PDF)NC3T CareerSmart-Classrooms (PDF)NC3T Pathways Services (PDF)NC3T Seamless Work Based Learning (PDF)More Ready for Work podcast episodes on career development:Manufacturing Career PathwaysCreating Interactive Career MapsApprenticeships and Work-Based LearningCredentialing and Competency as Currency See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

14 Career Connected Learning with Guest Hans Meeder

A high prevalence of prescription drug abuse has created an unhealthy workforce in northeast Tennessee. As a result, the region has high instances of addiction, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and overdose deaths.The region is learning how to contend with the impact that the opioid crisis has on its workforce. Rather than sweep the issues under the rug, the First Tennessee Development District (FTDD) took a lead role in bringing partners together to tackle the epidemic and is building a system of support for the lifecycle – from babies suffering with NAS to senior adults.FTDD’s Lottie Ryans and Mark Stevans outline how they are working toward a healthier workforce for a brighter tomorrow. They share practical ways to educate, boost awareness, and build solutions the entire community can embrace. This episode features sound bites from their presentation at the 2019 ACT Workforce Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina.Join the ConversationFirst Tennessee Development District: LinkedInFirst Tennessee Development District: FacebookFirst Tennessee Development District: InstagramJasen Jones: @JasenCJonesACT Twitter: @actACT LinkedIn: ACT Workforce SolutionsResourcesNE Tennesse Regional Response to Opioid Crisis presentation at 2019 ACT Workforce Summit (PDF)First Tennessee Development DistrictCreating a Community of Trauma Informed Community System of Care in Northeast TennesseeACEs Connection Nationwide Gateway on Trauma Informed CareACT Workforce SummitACT Work Ready CommunitiesACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

13 Workforce Response to Opioid Crisis in Tennessee

We all have a stake in making our communities more competitive. Closing the skills gap and driving economic growth starts at the grassroots level. Tune into the Ready for Work podcast for a bimonthly discussion about strengthening the workforce ecosystem. Make ACT Ready for Work your go-to source for ideas to revolutionize your workforce. Provided by the experts. Curated by ACT. Learn more at act.org/readyforworkpodcast.

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