Who is Capital Workforce Partners?

Capital Workforce Partners is a business driven organization that tailors the workforce system to the needs of the region's employers.  A vital part of the region's economic development, Capital Workforce Partners is an expert resource, shapess's public agenda on workforce issues and actively seeks resources to build the workforce i the region.  In addition to providing customized recruitment and training services for employers, Capital Workforce Partners leads the effort in preparing the region's workforce by setting career readiness competencies and invests in initiatives to help young people and adults achieve those standards.

What is a “Workforce Investment Board? (WIB) "     

Connecticut’s Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) are providing workforce development leadership in their communities. The business-led WIBs have the critical role of governance and oversight of the federal and state resources that support the regional network of One Stop or CT Works Centers and education and training investments in their regions. Workforce Board membership consists of private-sector businesses, working in concert with labor, education and the public sector to design effective demand driven workforce development services for job seekers and employers. To keep businesses competitive and to sustain economic growth WIBs:

• Identify changing workforce needs as part of the regional economic development strategy;
• Develop strategic responses to the labor market and industry;
• Work to build a comprehensive workforce system in response to the demands of the marketplace, workplace and workforce;
• Focus on accountability, customer satisfaction and measurable results

Who appoints the Board?
Each Board member is appointed by a Consortium of Chief Elected Officials, representing the municipalities it serves.  The Consortium meets twice a year to appoint the local Board in accordance with the terms of the Workforce Investment Act and to approve the strategic plan.  Capital Workforce Partners Board represents leaders in 37 municipalities.

What are the 37 municipalities in the Capital Workforce Partners region?   

Capital Workforce Partners serves the geographic area of North Central Connecticut.   The following are the 37 towns covered by this region:

How many “Workforce Investment Boards” are there in the state and the country?     [

Connecticut has five workforce Investment Boards that comprise the Connecticut Workforce Development Council:  Capital Workforce Partners [North Central]; Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board [Eastern]; Workforce Alliance [South Central]; The WorkPlace, Inc. [Southwest]; and, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board [Northwest].  Additionally, there is a State oversight board, the Connecticut Training and Education Council.  In the country, there are approximately 500 regional Boards. 

Capital Workforce Partners is a partner in CTWorks.  What is CTWorks, and what does being a partner in CTWorks entail?  

CTWorks is the name of the One-Stop Career Center system in Connecticut.  Each year, nearly 16 million Americans receive job placement assistance from our nation’s “One-Stop Career Centers.”  In Connecticut alone, over 80,000 residents received assistance ranging from help with their resume and interview skills to obtaining training - most with certifications and job placement.  Additionally, many businesses receive support from One-Stops with services ranging from recruitment assistance to specialty training, tax credit programs and rapid response teams for staffing adjustments.  There are six CTWorks One-Stop Career Centers in the Capital Workforce Partners region.

Where can I find the CTWorks Career Center closest to me?   

HARTFORD - 3580 Main Street , Hartford, CT 06120
ENFIELD - 620 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082
NEW BRITAIN - 260 Lafayette Street , New Britain, CT 06053
EAST HARTFORD - Goodwin College Building  1137 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108 
MANCHESTER - 893 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06040 
(Next to Bank of America) 
BRISTOL -  55 South Street, Bristol, CT 06010

How can a job seeker receive services?  

Services for job seekers and businesses are primarily delivered through the CTWorks One-Stop Career Centers.  In partnership with the CT Department of Labor, and in conjunction with other service providers i.e. CRT, CareerTEAM and Catholic Charities, Capital Workforce Partners oversees the operation of the One-Stop Career Centers in the region.  Each One-Stop Center serves the universe of job seekers, all ages and regardless of household income or situation.  There is a full array of employment services that include job referral, job search through CT’s Job Bank, job development, career workshops, high speed Internet access for job search, free postage, resume paper and copying, individual career guidance and information on potential financial aid opportunities for training through programs such as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), and Jobs First Employment System (JFES).

What kind of services do businesses receive?  

Area employers can receive a variety of services to assist in customized employee recruitment, applicant screening, labor market information and other tax credit programs.  Customized and on-the-job training may also be available based upon eligibility.  This is a tremendous opportunity to “up-train” incumbent workers and in turn, to work toward competitive advantage.
      
How does “WIA” work, and how can a job seeker apply for subsidized training and services?  

Since resources for federal workforce training, or WIA, are limited each fiscal year, Capital Workforce Partners is required by law to prioritize who will receive intensive services beyond basic job search assistance.  Individuals who meet the federal definition of  low income, are under-employed, are receiving time-limited welfare benefits or are dislocated workers from a previous job may be eligible to receive WIA intensive career management and training services.   Once an individual is enrolled into WIA services, he or she makes a long-term  commitment to work together with an Employment Specialist to create an employment plan.  If that employment plan indicates a need for occupational skills training, that training may be subsidized.  An example of some subsidized training include:  computer skills, commercial driver’s license, CNA, Medical Administration, Direct Care and High Tech Manufacturing.  

What is Capital Workforce Partners’ primary industry focus?

Capital Workforce Partners targets its training resources toward occupations in the region with sustainable wages and high growth potential.  Clusters of industries within this focus include:   allied health,  financial and insurance services, high technology manufacturing and retail/ hospitality.

I heard Capital Workforce Partners has programs for young people seeking employment.  Tell me more.

Capital Workforce Partner has two key programs that work with youth: 1) The Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program and 2) YES Academy.  Each of these programs identifies learning and employment opportunities for youth in the region.  In 2005, these opportunities were identified for 1,300 young people at over 30 providers and hundreds of diverse worksites including:  Aetna, Riverfront Recapture, Boys & Girls Clubs, Our Piece of the Pie, Artists Collective, Greater Hartford Arts Council, Institute for Community Research, etc.  Continued opportunities are dependent on federal, state and private funding.

How can I get more information about Capital Workforce Partners, CTWorks or WIA?   

Who Appoints the CWP Board of Directors?     [top]

Each Board member is appointed by a Consortium of Chief Elected Officials, representing the 37 municipalities in North Central Connecticut.  The Consortium meets twice a year to appoint the local WIB Board in accordance with the terms of the Workforce Investment Act and approve the strategic plan.

How Can a Business or Job Seeker Receive Workforce Services?     [top]

Services for CWP’s customers, job seekers and businesses, are primarily delivered through the local One-Stop Career Centers, or CTWorks System.  In partnership with the CT Department of Labor, CWP oversees the operation of six One-Stop Career Centers or CTWorks in the Region, as well as several community-based “portals” at community-based agencies in the urban centers. The main centers are located in Hartford, Enfield, New Britain, E. Hartford, Manchester and Bristol.  Each One-Stop Center serves the universe of job seekers, (ages 14 – 21 for youth and 18 years of age+ for adults) and provides a full array of employment services that include job referral, job search through CT’s Job Bank, job development, career workshops and high speed Internet access for job search.  Other services are individualized career guidance and information on financial aid opportunities for training through programs such as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the Future Workforce Investment System, Trade Adjustment Act, Hartford Construction Jobs Initiative, Faith & Community-Based programs and Pell grants.

Area employers can also receive a variety of services to assist in employee recruitment, applicant screening, labor market information and other tax credit programs. Customized and on-the-job training may also be available based upon eligibility.

                  
How Can a Job Seeker Apply for Workforce Advancement & Training Services?     [top]

Since federal workforce training resources, or WIA, are limited each fiscal year, CWP is required by law to prioritize who will receive intensive services beyond basic job search assistance. In the North Central Region of CT, individuals who meet the federal definition of low-income, are under-employed, are receiving time-limited welfare benefits or are dislocated workers from a previous job are eligible to receive consideration for WIA intensive and training services. Intensive services are also very customer focused and geared towards career advancement.  Once an individual is enrolled into WIA services, he or she makes a long-term commitment to work together with an Employment Specialist to create an employment plan. If the employment plan indicates that occupational skills training is necessary for the individual to gain employment, choices for training in demand occupations are available. 

What is an ITA?   [top]

CWP financially manages Individual Training Account (ITA) vouchers or scholarships for WIA or welfare customers. ITAs enable customers to purchase training in demand occupations at certified vendors in the region. Certified vendors of occupational training are determined in partnership with the CT Department of Labor (CTDOL). Each year, the CWP and CTDOL approves an authorized Employment and Training Provider List (ETPL) that has over 230 programs of occupational study at public, private and community-based organizations throughout the region. Additionally, CWP targets its training resources towards occupations in the region with high wage and high growth, such as allied health careers, information technology, machine/manufacturing technology and retail customer service careers. Some on-the-job training and customized training options are also available for individuals enrolled in programs to assist them in gaining employment.

How Can I Find More Information?    [top]

Additional information can be found here, at our website www.capitalworkforce.org.  Information on the Workforce Investment Act can be found at  www.doleta.gov or in CT at http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/wia/wia.htm.