By Janelle Comstock
The Mid-Ohio Valley (MOV) Workforce Development Employer Solutions Program (WDB-EST) is a team developed to work specifically with employers throughout the MOV Workforce Region of Workforce West Virginia. The WDB-EST serves employers and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA, participants within their nine-county area in West Virginia covering Calhoun, Clay, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood counties.
This team of business-driven individuals consists of staff members from the MOV Workforce Development Board; Career Connections, a WIOA youth program; and Human Resource Development Foundation, Inc. The grant funding received from Workforce West Virginia has enabled the team to offer enhanced services and further emphasize the employer focus for the MOV region in West Virginia, as well as support the state board vision to implement a model to standardize the delivery of products and services to employers.
Initially, the team identified the challenge to establish an organized approach and shared platform for workforce, economic development and education partners when interacting with employers within the region. Through research, a model known as the Business Resource Network (BRN) in Canton, Ohio, with the support of the Ohio Means Jobs inTuscarawas County, was identified as an effective model to assist in development of the employer solutions team. The MOV Workforce Development Board has developed a strong collaboration with the BRN that resulted in several trainings sessions with the employer solutions team to assist in implementation of a defined process to promote a disciplined, strategic method to identify joint solutions to specific employer needs. The employer solutions team consist of members across the three organizations who are now well versed in opening a line of communication with employers, assisting employers in identifying their needs and providing a plan to address the needs with services available through the WIOA employer services or the pathway to accessing additional resources throughout the state and region.
Outreach to Employers
Since implementation, the employer solutions team has made tremendous strides in outreach to employers within the Mid-Ohio Valley region. The team has had success in educating the employers on available WIOA services as well as additional resources that will help employees succeed in the region with the intent of longevity in the communities. Some of the highlights of the success are the more rural employers in which the education and awareness of services and various programs has allowed for the placement of local residents in positions with employers.
Carter Wilson Apartments is a success story located in Spencer, WV. Locally owned and operated, the business has various commercial and residential properties throughout the small community of Spencer that require weekly, monthly and sometimes daily maintenance. Through the WIOA adult program, the company was able to place two individuals in general maintenance positions with the company. The two individuals were trained by current Carter Wilson Apartment staff while on the job earning a living wage. At the completion of the on-the-job training program, the individuals continued to work for the company.
“This is the second time I have used this program,” says David Carter, co-owner of Carter Wilson Apartments. “This program has really helped us find good employees. The people we have worked with have been excellent, and both the Spencer and Parkersburg offices have been great to work with.”
Recruitment of Employers
In an effort to increase employer recruitment, the employer solutions team hosted two public employer services information forums in 2019. The forums’ focus allowed an in-depth review of WIOA employer services and included a panel of current and past employers and participants who received various services through program. The information and experiences shared by the two panels gave insight to prospective employers in attendance on how the services available could be of benefit to their companies, organizations and agencies. The team plans to continue to host the employer forum events throughout the region.
Meeting Employer Needs
Working toward meeting the needs of the employers, the WDB-EST has also held the first Reverse Job Fair in the MOV this past spring. The event was very successful, hosting 34 employers and 18 job seekers. The Reverse Job Fair will become an annual if not biannual event for the employers and job seekers in the region. This concept is focusing on the limited time most businesses have to spare by allowing the job seekers to present themselves to the employers and allowing the employers the opportunity to peruse the pool of job seekers at their convenience.
In continuation of meeting the needs of the employers, the WDB-EST began hosting hiring events with employers, which allowed WDB-EST staff to register WIOA employees the same day a job offer was made. These hiring events have taken place at the local workforce office or at the employer’s worksite. Two recent hiring events took place at the Jackson County American Job Center, which enabled Al Rec LLC in Millwood, WV, to interview and hire on-site. Al Rec LLC was also able utilize the WIOA services provided through the WDB-EST. Through these hiring events the company has been able to fill 12 positions.
“In the past, the hiring process has been much more difficult and time consuming,” says Scott Hupp, safety and purchasing manager for Al Rec LLC. “In cooperation with the Work Force Development’s knowledgeable staff, hiring an employee is a much more enjoyable task. I look forward to working with them for all our future hiring needs.”
Moving forward, the employer solutions team will continue to face contacts to engage local employers, host and participate in various events across the region and continue to be innovative with approaches on providing regional employers services through WIOA to create economic growth and sustainability for the residents of the MOV region.
About the Author
Janelle Comstock has served as the director for the MOV Development Board in West Virginia for two and a half years. During that time, the WDB-MOV has experienced a positive cultural change and growth. Due to her cultivating relationships with various partners and agencies, WDB-MOV has increased the number of grants and contracts. Comstock currently resides in Woodsfield, Ohio, with her husband and children, but her family roots are in Kermit, WV.
