Nevada's Workforce Innovation News |
August 31, 2021 | Issue 2 |
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From the Desk of Director Isla Young |
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On behalf of GOWINN thank you to our amazing partners who have been such stellar workforce ecosystem allies. Each partner has articulated the motivation and willingness to work towards building a far more coordinated and integrated education to workforce system that will benefit all individuals, communities, and employers as the state of Nevada strengthens its economy. One exciting highlight that we will be sharing in our newsletter is GOWINN in partnership with the Nevada Department of Education is launching Nepris for Nevada! GOWINN knows that creating a solid connection and pipeline between our K12, higher education, and Industry is a critical piece of a thriving and effective workforce system.
Please also read about GOWINN’s plan to revitalize the state's Industry Sector Councils. This work is in partnership with the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, key state agencies, workforce boards, employers, labor, Regional Development Agencies, Chambers, and more. GOWINN understands the importance of inclusive leadership and collaboration, and that much is accomplished when working together. We thank you for the opportunity to serve Nevada, and please do not hesitate to reach out to my amazing team with any innovative ideas, suggestions, and/or opportunities to partner for the good of Nevada.
All the best from Isla and the GOWINN team.
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Nepris for Nevada is a virtual platform to connect industry professionals with classrooms, providing real-world relevance to core curriculum and career exploration. Access is being provided to every middle and high school teacher & administrator in Nevada and we want to see Nevada business and industry represented broadly. Visit www.nevada.Nepris.com to create a free business/community account.
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The state's Industry Sector Councils are being revitalized beginning with 4 initial sectors. These are groups of employers, organized labor, post-secondary education, or other relevant groups or individuals that facilitate data-driven recommendations concerning sector-specific workforce needs and challenges that will help guide State workforce development efforts.
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The Nevada Department of Education is in the process of updating state standards for their program areas as they transition from 3-year to 2-year programs. As part of this process, they are looking for input from industry on what skills are most valuable to them. Please submit responses for any
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The Nevada Career Studio at UNR is looking for employer volunteers to speak to students and teach mini-sessions on work-ready skills. Contact Katia Albright at kalbright@unr.edu. |
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Carson City School District is looking for local businesses and professionals to work with the district's students and teachers. Complete this short survey to get involved.
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Nevada Regional STEM Network Grant III |
Request for Applications:
STEM Regional Network Grants
The STEM Networks have announced $150,000 in funding available to advance STEM in the Northwestern, Rural, and Southern regions. Each region will fund project applications that advance the community toward their STEM ultimate outcomes. Read more about each region’s direction on the OSIT Website.
If you have questions about the Request for Applications, join the Bidders Call on Zoom Aug 31st at 1pm or contact Tracey Howard at T.Howard@gov.nv.gov
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The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has issued several opportunities to apply for federal funding to support workforce development activity. |
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Economic Adjustment Assistance:
- Rolling (no later than March 31, 2022)
- Subject to availability of funds
- Help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects to assist communities and regions impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation:
- Rolling (Competitive Tourism Grants)
- EDA encourages eligible applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible
- Assist communities and regions in recovery from the coronavirus pandemic’s significant negative impact on the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors
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STEM Challenge Grant:
- October 12, 2021
- $2 million available to eligible entities to create and implement STEM talent development strategies that complement their region’s innovation economy. The STEM Talent Challenge provides funding for work-and-learn programs to increase America’s STEM-capable workforce in emerging and transformative sectors such as space commerce, aeronautics, digital manufacturing, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.
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Build Back Better Regional Challenge (Phase 1):
- October 19, 2021
- Two-phase competition to (1) help regions develop transformational economic development strategies and (2) fund the implementation of those strategies that will create and grow regional growth clusters.
- In Phase 1, EDA will provide technical assistance grants to approximately 50-60 coalitions (through a lead institution). These coalitions will be considered “finalists” and the grants will be used by the finalists to prepare more detailed applications for transformational projects that benefit their respective geographic regions and are aligned around a holistic approach to building and scaling a strategic industry.
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Good Jobs Challenge:
- January 26, 2022
- Help get Americans back to work by developing and strengthening regional systems to develop and execute sectoral partnerships that will lead to well-paying jobs. The goal of regional workforce training systems is to create and implement effective employer-driven training programs that will connect the existing and emerging skills needs of employers with workers and will help workers find and keep quality jobs and advance along their chosen career path. Regional workforce training systems and sectoral partnerships should connect employers in an industry with key regional stakeholders, including state and local governmental entities, economic development organizations, workforce development boards, employer-facing organizations, education and training providers, community‑based organizations (CBOs), worker-serving organizations (WSOs), and/or labor unions.
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Indigenous Communities:
- Rolling
- EDA strongly encourages all applicants to start early
- Support projects that create the conditions for economic growth in indigenous communities and to accelerate economic recovery from the pandemic. These projects can include foundational economic infrastructure projects, such as such as broadband, energy, road, water, and wastewater infrastructure (including community water facilities); vocational and higher education facilities; and community health facilities that are necessary for future job creation. Projects can also include non-construction projects to provide technical assistance to support business development, entrepreneurship assistance, economic development planning, rural prosperity, and workforce training in indigenous communities.
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Nevada American Rescue Plan Funding
The American Recovery Plan (ARP) brings an unprecedented investment into Nevada from the federal government. The State will receive at least $6.7 billion in aid through a variety of programs to address the social, economic, community health and other effects of COVID-19. At a time when the livelihoods of Nevadans have been severely impacted by the pandemic, we have a tremendous opportunity to invest directly in the people and communities who have been hit the hardest.
The Governor’s Nevada Recovers listening tour is off and running on a 75-day quest to hear from citizens and organizations on how the State should invest the funds it receives from the American Rescue Plan Act. Find out more here: Nevada Recovers. |
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NV High-Demand Credential List |
The High-Demand Credential list has been updated and has a new look!
There are hundreds of credentials in the education and workforce ecosystem. Because there is a low barrier to entry for organizations that establish credentials, individuals can often be misled or confused. The goal of instituting quality criteria for statewide credentialing recognition is to protect students from poor quality credentials and promote quality credentials that can assist in securing employment by identifying those that meet national quality standards, are recognized by third parties, support improved employment prospects, and have market value.
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The Governor's Workforce Development Board Training |
Earlier this summer, members of the state's workforce development board and others in the state's broader workforce development system, participated in a training and informational session. The goal of the session was to strengthen understanding of the role of each member on the board and how the work accomplished there affects activity at the local level. |
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In-Demand Occupations Lists |
On July 21, 2021, The Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) updated the state's In-Demand Occupations List, supplied in aggregate and broken down by region.
The data is intended to be a resource for K-12, Career Technical Education (CTE), and postsecondary institutions as well as nonprofits, government entities, and workforce boards to leverage in preparing Nevada’s workforce to make informed decisions about program or training offerings that align to research and labor market data as well as the state’s needs. Leveraging the In-demand Occupation List provides a level of information and security for students and adults engaging in various career pathways and spending precious time, energy, and financial resources to make informed decisions and understand the consequences of the choices they make when pursuing skills and training.
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Southern Nevada Workforce System Training |
August 19 marked the first overview training of the SANDI grant for over 130 Workforce Connections partner counselors. Instruction emphasized SANDI’s career information database, the Nevada Career Explorer, virtual and augmented reality components, and highlights of the partnerships with Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) community colleges as well as other training providers. Details about precision career navigation through the Nevada Career Explorer and 3D augmented and virtual reality that map to Nevada’s resilient STEM jobs and how having a second teacher in virtual reality and helping people decode their skills brings a new suite of tools to coaches. And an overview of how Nevada’s public libraries can create an outreach funnel to raise awareness about Nevada’s resilient STEM jobs through focused programs and extreme cooperation generated robust buzz in the Zoom chat and enthusiasm for what is on the horizon.
As this grant opens opportunities for clients in 2022, understanding the usage of the technology and how it is designed to support career navigation through skills decoding, job shadowing, and making accessible education technology for Nevadan’s during non-degree training programs, are significant things to keep in mind, as well as explaining the logistics of accessing virtual reality headsets and content for our programs through the state's public and academic library networks.
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First Medical Assistant Apprentice in NV |
With an eye towards this future, Renown Health proudly accepted its first student, Ana Hernandez Rodriguez, a graduating senior from Procter R. Hug High School’s Health Science Academy CTE program in Washoe County, into its newly created Medical Assistant apprenticeship program. Ana will begin the program as a full-time employee with benefits and start her apprenticeship coursework at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC). |
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Mesquite Launches Certified Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship |
To support this effort, the Department of Welfare and Supportive Services convened multiple partners
including GOWINN, the College of Southern Nevada, the City of Mesquite, the Nevada System of Higher Education, NV Hope, and Highland Manor of Mesquite, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center that will also serve as this apprenticeship program’s employer partner.
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September is Workforce Development Month! |
Did you know the US Congress passed a resolution in 2019 declaring September Workforce Development Month?! What can you do to provide extra support to individuals with barriers to employment? @OWINN29 on Twitter & Facebook, or @OWINN on LinkedIn to let us know how you support #WorkforceDevelopmentInNevada!
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Please send relevant opportunities and updates to General-GOWINN@gov.nv.gov to be included in future issues. |
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