Nevada's Workforce Innovation News
October 27, 2021 | Issue 4
From the Desk of Executive Director Isla Young
The Silver State is at a monumental crossroads as we work through recovering from the COVID pandemic. The state is navigating how to invest $6.7 billion in federal aid directly into the people and communities who have been hit the hardest. There are also numerous active federal grants to support workforce training and alignment, and many more proposals are being drafted. With all of this, I am grateful for the enthusiasm and willingness to collaborate and seize the opportunity to explore the best innovative solutions and adopt best practices, making it easier for Nevadans to access support for a brighter tomorrow. In this update, you’ll find resources to add your voice to the conversation through the state’s revitalized Industry Sector Councils, the Project SANDI funding Opportunity, and more. And, of course, don’t forget to submit project ideas to NevadaRecovers.com to make sure your ideas are considered – nothing is off the table.

All the best,
Isla and the GOWINN team
Executive Director Young was invited to speak on a National Governor's Association (NGA) panel to showcase GOWINN's participation in the NGA Workforce Innovation Network. She highlighted Governor Sisolak's plan to develop a statewide vision and strategic action plan to position Nevada on the path to prosperity and success for all residents, and an expanding and diversifying pool of employers.  

Andres Feijoo, GOWINN Policy Analyst, also supported the follow up roundtable discussion around Nevada's success with advancing career pathways via targeted service delivery. 
In Search of Industry Sector Council Voting Members
Three informational sessions were held to outline the plans to revitalize Nevada's Industry Sector Councils. GOWINN is now soliciting interest for 7 individuals to serve as voting members on each of the 4 initially revitalized councils.

VOTING MEMBERS:
  • Identify as being part of or supportive of one of the initial 4 sectors: manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and technology
  • Fill a vacancy under one of the 4 categories: business (4), post-secondary education (1), organized labor (1), and other (1)
  • Attend the quarterly meetings
  • Vote on items, when agenized
  • Items will include approval of minutes from the previous meeting, infrequent formal recommendations/opinions representing the statewide sector, other items as they arise
  • Recommendations will be prioritized to enhance diverse representation whenever possible (region, sub-industry, etc.)

Please contact Amy Fleming at [email protected] with the following information if you would like to be considered to serve as a voting member.
  1. Your sector: manufacturing, technology, healthcare, or logistics (if you cover more than one, please note the industries in priority of representation)
  2. Your category: business, post-secondary education, labor, or other (again, if multiple apply, please list in order of relevance)
  3. Region/counties of operation (again, please list in order of relevance)
ICYMI: Project SANDI Notice of Funding Opportunity
We are pleased to announce the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NoFO) for Project SANDI. Eligible partners may apply for funding to cover tuition and fees to support Nevadans by providing them with just-in-time training in the areas of healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and skilled trades.

Applications are due to Kristen Dwyer, [email protected], on December 1, 2021, at 5 pm PST.

Informational sessions will be held on October 27 at 2 pm and November 3 at 9 am to provide additional details and address questions. Please participate here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89777729762?pwd=Q3A0MEdLanlVTzNpanVKNlNremxuUT09. After the sessions, a FAQ will be posted on the GOWINN site and applicants are encouraged to reach out to Kristen as additional questions arise.
 
Please share with any partners that you think may be interested. We are looking forward to helping Nevadans grow their skills!
Haven't created a (free) Nepris for Nevada account yet?
What are you waiting for?! Join the 700 Nevadans already engaged!
Nepris is an online platform that connects industry and education to bring curriculum relevance and career exposure to students. By connecting employees with students virtually, Nepris removes the barriers such as geography, time, cost, & coordination, of traditional engagement, while allowing professionals the flexibility to be proactive or reactive with their engagement. These scalable volunteer opportunities align the passion and interests of industry professionals to short micro-engagements on topics year-round.

The Nevada Department of Education and GOWINN have partnered to provide access to Nepris for Nevada to every middle and high school teacher, administrator, counselor, and district admin in the state. 
Attention Northern Nevada Employers & Business Networks
Science is everywhere, right? Of course, it is! Plans are underway for the Northern Nevada Science & Technology Festival, April 25-30, 2022. The festival inspires and connects the community with the power of science and technology through hands-on school programs and a series of free events hosted by organizations throughout Northern Nevada. As part of this week-long community event, "Science is Everywhere" will be held Saturday, April 30th and businesses and organizations are invited to host a free tour or activity for the public that highlights your contribution to science or technology. You can determine the number of people and tours offered and science-lovers are standing by if you need help brainstorming! 

Fill out this form prior to Friday, November 12th, and a committee member will be in touch to get the wheels turning. 
Updated Business Resource Directory
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) has updated its resource guide to support businesses as they navigate the myriad challenges including posting a job, reporting work refusal and unemployment fraud, resources for recruiting and retaining employees with disabilities, and financial incentives for businesses.
Finding childcare can be a daunting task and can also interfere with an employee's ability to return to work.
The Children’s Cabinet is here to help in Northern Nevada! Give their Resource and Referral team a call at 775.856.6210 or visit their website at www.childrenscabinet.org for more information on how to find quality child care.
The Las Vegas Urban League is your go-to agency in Southern Nevada! Find more information on their website, lvccul.org, or give them a call at (702) 473-9400.
This annual event is designed for startups and small business owners in rural Nevada and provides opportunities for mentorship, access to capital, and connection with entrepreneurial support organizations in Nevada.
How Did You Celebrate Manufacturing Month?
Each October, Click Bond, an innovative fastener manufacturer in Northern Nevada, joins manufacturers around the nation to celebrate the achievements and innovations of the American manufacturing industry. In honor of this month-long celebration, Click Bond offered virtual opportunities for the community to engage with manufacturing and explore their work.
Creators Wanted!
Nevada Industry Excellence hosted the first Nepris for Nevada Industry Chat! Industry Chats are industry-driven sessions designed for K-12 classrooms or teachers but can be viewed live or on-demand by other professionals as well. Make sure you catch the next session live by creating your free industry professional account.
The National Governor's Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices, courtesy of the NGA Workforce Innovation Network, has published the Planning Template for Defining Job Quality for Reemployment and Recovery. This resource will help leaders:

  • Define key elements of job quality (i.e. wage, schedule, working conditions, opportunities for advancement); 
  • Develop a plan to assess job quality based on those definitions; and 
  • Apply results of job quality assessments to inform job training and placement investments and priorities. 
Where the Green Jobs Grow
Looking for a new job or considering a career change? Passionate about the environment? Here are nine jobs you should know about. Out of the earth-friendly occupations with green-related job duties discussed directly in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, these are projected to have among the most openings in the coming decade.
Rethinking Operations in the Next Normal
Operations functions—including procurement, supply chain, and manufacturing—are at the forefront of managing the challenges and finding new ways of working in light of global trends and disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of change, creating an inflection point. Companies have relied on their operations functions not only to maintain day-to-day operations, which has itself been challenging but also to position the business to survive and grow in the post-pandemic world.
Governor's Workforce Development Full Board Meeting
October 21, 2021
Did you know the Governor's Workforce Development Board (GWDB) meets quarterly to discuss workforce policy, programs, funding, and other issues impacting the Silver State?

Members are appointed by the Governor, with at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the membership of the GWDB representing businesses, with private-sector/business representation from the northern, southern, and rural areas of the state.
NPWR Advisory Committee Meeting
October 22, 2021
The Nevada P-20 to Workforce Research Data System (NPWR) is a state-of-the-art research tool that provides Nevadans with unparalleled access to the knowledge needed to understand the trends shaping our state's education and workforce outcomes. Using advanced technology and best-in-class security, NPWR is designed to inform education and workforce policies and initiatives across Nevada.
Nevada Day is celebrated on the last Friday in October -- October 29, 2021 -- state offices will be closed
Please send relevant opportunities and updates to [email protected] to be included in future issues.
GOWINN | gowinn.nv.gov