The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) represents business-led Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) that coordinate and leverage workforce strategies with education and economic development stakeholders within their local communities, to ensure that state and local workforce development and job training programs meet the needs of businesses. This system is funded through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which authorizes over 550 WIBs to oversee and coordinate services through a network of 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers.
Reauthorization of WIA has had its share of critics, so NAWB has taken several steps to educate Congress that the workforce system is an important one for businesses across the country. The latest undertaking was led by NAWB Board Chair Laurie Moran who serves as the chief executive officer for the Danville Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Moran coordinated a comprehensive outreach strategy with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce to engage chamber and business organization support for WIA reauthorization.
Moran said, “The letter of support has been signed by more than 70 chambers and regional business organizations with support growing daily. As the chair of my local WIB, I can tell you that WIA funds and programs are critical to my community and regional economy.”
Chambers of Commerce and regional business organizations across America representing over 50,000 businesses sent a clear message to Congress through a letter of support for WIA reauthorization. The letter of support was sent to the Democratic and Republican leadership of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee which is currently considering reauthorization.
“We want to make sure that our Senators understand that reauthorizing WIA and investing in America’s workers is a key priority for the business community,” said Gary Toebben, president & chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. “Businesses want to expand and create 21st century jobs, but we can’t do that if we don’t have a workforce with the skills and training needed to fill them.”
This outreach strategy to elected officials can be modeled by other organizations across the country who want to build strong support for its cause to elected officials. The components include a) strong leadership; b) an organized call to action with a clear value proposition; c) a web-based tool to garner support; d) news and social media strategies; and e) a clearly defined timeline.
To view or share the support letter and outreach tools, go to http://www.workforceinvestmentworks.com/wia_reauthorization_support.asp
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