Item Description:
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Approval and submission of the updated Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Regional Plan for Metropolitan Regional Workforce Development Area #4 to the State of Minnesota
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approves the Metropolitan Regional Workforce Development Area’s #4 WIOA Regional Plan for federal program years 2027 - 2030, and authorizes the Plan be submitted to the Governor of the State of Minnesota as required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners authorizes staff to make modifications to the plan as may be required or recommended by the State prior to submission to the Governor or during the 90-day review period from 10/2/26 - 12/31/26.
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Background:
Under the provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Governor of each State or Territory must submit a Unified or Combined State Plan to the U.S. Department of Labor that outlines a four-year strategy for the State’s workforce development system. This publicly funded system operates through a national network of Federal, State, regional, and local entities that deliver employment, education, training, and related services to help job seekers secure quality jobs and provide businesses with the skilled workforce needed to remain competitive in the global economy.
At the regional level, Local Workforce Development Boards within a designated planning region must develop and submit a WIOA Regional Plan that meets the requirements outlined in WIOA section 106. The Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Board is a member of the Metropolitan Regional Workforce Development Area #4, along with the Workforce Development Boards of Ramsey County, City of Minneapolis, Dakota-Scott Counties, Washington County, and Anoka County. A comprehensive and unified Regional Plan ensures coordination across Local Workforce Areas, alignment of strategies, and a shared vision for meeting the workforce needs of the region’s employers and job seekers.
Minnesota’s WIOA Regional Plan guidance requires each Regional Workforce Development Area to prepare a plan that includes the following elements:
• Regional vision, goals, and strategies - The region’s vision for a skilled workforce and how regional goals and strategies align with Minnesota’s state vision, goals and strategies.
• Regional analysis - Analysis of regional workforce and labor market conditions, including strengths, opportunities, and gaps; identification of key workforce needs; and review of performance and results.
• Alignment of resources and services - How core program resources and partners will be aligned to address regional workforce needs and support employers and job seekers.
• Regional operations and leadership - Identification of who provides regional leadership and oversight, how partners are engaged (including populations facing barriers), and how local boards drive reginal system alignment through shared policies, practices, and cooperative service agreements.
• Coordination with partners - Strategies for coordinating workforce services with economic development and other public workforce and human service partners to strengthen the regional workforce system.
• Continuous improvement - Strategies for using data and stakeholder input to drive continuous improvement and advance equitable outcomes for job seekers and employers across the region.
For Region 4, this required Regional Plan update reflects current regional workforce conditions, strategies, and priorities and identifies opportunities for continued coordination and alignment across the six Local Workforce Development Areas.
Per the requirements outlined by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the WIOA Regional Plan was subject to a Public Comment period from September 14th to October 14th, 2026 as well as a Public Hearing during the October 6th, 2026 meeting of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners’ Administration, Operations & Budget Committee. Input received via this Public Comment period and Public Hearing will be incorporated into the Plan.
Current Request:
The action now requested by the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Board is for the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to approve the Metropolitan Region #4 WIOA Regional Plan and authorize staff to submit the Plan to the Governor of the State of Minnesota.
This Regional Plan will then be incorporated into the Minnesota Combined State Plan and submitted to the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor. For Region 4 - Metro, this required Regional Plan update reflects current regional workforce conditions, strategies, and priorities and identifies opportunities for continued coordination and alignment across the six Local Workforce Development Areas.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval