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Product Name
The Regional Skills Alliance and Career Readiness Credential

Project Description

The Regional Skills Alliance (RSA) and Career Readiness Credential (CRC) program was an initiative of the three regional Workforce Investment Boards. It utilized the model created by Finger Lakes Advanced Manufacturing Enterprise (FAME) to expand and establish regional skills alliances, groups of public and private sector partners dedicated to addressing business needs and workforce development, in the advanced manufacturing and health care/human services industries.
 
The expansion of the RSAs will also include the implementation of the WorkKeys CRC assessment program across the nine-county region to assess the performance level of job applicants. These programs address regional business needs while also providing workforce solutions. This initiative is a regional partnership between the Finger Lakes, GLOW and Rochester/Monroe County WIBs.
 
Outcome from Using the Product
The Regional Skills Alliance staff further worked to complete rollout of the Health Care/Human Services and Advanced Manufacturing Regional Skills Alliances (RSAs) to the other two WIBs in the region. As a result of the rollout sessions, both the Rochester/Monroe and the GLOW Workforce Investment Areas decided to join the existing RSAs rather than create their own.
 
Twenty two organizations are involved in the Health Care/Human Services RSA. Since the inception of FAME a total of 127 members have joined the organization. The Advanced Manufacturing RSA, the Finger Lakes Advanced Manufacturing Enterprise (FAME), began the transition from free membership to a fee structure for sustainability purposes. FAME hosted its first membership event in November 2009. Efforts to promote Health Care RSA sustainability are in the beginning stages.
 
FAME staff members reported continued outreach to educational partners, colleges and universities, schools, BOCES and government and economic development agencies to promote the needs of the advanced manufacturing industry. FAME participated in the opening of a new Student Innovation Center at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and attended the “Finger Lakes Works with Its Hands” event, which had participation from over 500 educators and students. FAME is also involved in the Monroe County Business Partnership Advisory Board. Plans are underway to co-host tours of advanced manufacturing businesses in the region in November 2009.
 
In addition to RSA activities, CRC continued offering and marketing of the Career Readiness Credential assessment tool to businesses and job seekers. By the end of November, 2009, a total of 1241 CRC credentials have been awarded regionally. A Memorandum of Understanding was issued between the three Workforce Investment Boards to continue utilizing the Rochester/Monroe County WorkKeys license among all areas and share the licensing fees. The MOU ensures that the CRC regionalization will continue beyond the end of WIRED funding.

Projected course enrollment was 60 individuals but project leads reported that despite increased marketing efforts the program experienced recruitment shortfall at satellite campus centers (which require a minimum of 10 students to run the class). GCC served 72 students total.

Updated 1.10