Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED)

OVERVIEW:

Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor to address the challenges of global competition by preparing America’s workforce for high-skilled, high-wage job opportunities. WIRED brings together business, education, economic development, workforce development and other community leaders to develop innovative, transformational changes in the workforce system.

WIRED Regions are geographical areas that face shared economic realities, such as labor shortages, particularly in high growth industries, and changes in access to talent and leveraged resources. These economic regions may not correspond to political jurisdictions.

The Southwestern Connecticut region was competitively selected to receive on of 39 WIRED grants nationwide. The region, named, “Talent for Growth CT-NY (T4G CT-NY)”, extends across state lines to include Westchester and Putnam Counties, NY.

TALENT FOR GROWTH CT-NY GOALS

v Create an integrated, regionally-based talent development system linking education, workforce and economic development system partners in a seamless collaboration with regional employers.

v Prepare a pipeline of skilled workers to support both core and innovation-intensive industry sectors targeted by the region.

v Connect to and leverage existing infrastructure initiatives to establish a world-class regional communications backbone enhancing regional productivity, and to achieve mobility and connectivity for workers and employers throughout the region.

v Develop a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout our partnership and our broader Region.

HIGH GROWTH INDUSTRIES

Core Industries: Health Services, Retail and Hospitality, and Advanced Manufacturing.

Innovation-Intensive Industries: Information Technology, Financial Services, and Biomedical Industries.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS

v Leverage sources of investment from multiple federal agencies.

v Gain a stronger voice in policy issues affecting the region.

v Identify and act on new opportunities for economic development based on unique competencies and infrastructure advantages.

v Education, training, and job preparation better aligned with business needs.

v Create shared solutions for “tapping the talent within” which address the growing disparity of income in the region.

v Increased job placement and/or job growth for individuals.

v New businesses attracted and existing business retained by providing a strong pipeline of skilled workers.

WIRED Regional Initiative is a project of The WorkPlace, Inc.

For information contact:

Diana Napier, WIRED Grant Manager

The WorkPlace, Inc.

350 Fairfield Avenue

Bridgeport, CT 06604

(203) 610-8552