Item Description:
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Approval and submission of Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Local Plan 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 Hennepin-Carver Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Local 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; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that 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 October 2, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
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Background:
The Hennepin - Carver Workforce Development Board is committed to leading a coordinated, responsive, and future-focused workforce system that creates opportunity for residents and supports the talent needs of businesses throughout suburban Hennepin & Carver counties. The Hennepin - Carver Workforce Development Board (HCWDB) Local Plan update reaffirms our commitment to building a workforce system that is responsive to the ever-evolving needs of residents, businesses, and communities throughout our area, known as Workforce Development Area 9 (WDA 09).
This document serves as the required update to the existing local plan which reflects current labor market conditions, federal and state policy changes, regional priorities, and updates to local strategies and partnerships. While the overall vision and direction of the Local Plan remain consistent, this update ensures that our workforce system continues to align with the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), Minnesota’s Combined State Plan, and the needs of our regional economy.
The local plan includes a description of the strategic planning elements, consisting of:
1. an analysis of the regional economic conditions including existing and emerging in-demand industry sectors and occupations and the employment needs of employers in those industry sectors and occupations;
2. an analysis of the knowledge and skills needed to meet the employment needs of the employers in the region, including employment needs in in-demand industry sectors and occupations;
3. an analysis of the workforce in the region, including current labor force employment (and unemployment) data, and information on labor market trends, and the educational and skill levels of the workforce in the region, including individuals with barriers to employment;
4. an analysis of the workforce development activities (including education and training) in the region, including an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of such services, and the capacity to provide such services, to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the region;
5. a description of the local board’s strategies and goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce (including youth and individuals with barriers to employment), including goals relating to the performance accountability measures based on primary indicators of performance described in section 116(b)(2)(A) in order to support regional economic growth and economic self-sufficiency
As workforce needs to evolve, HCWDB and its partners remain committed to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This plan update reflects the refinements to service delivery, partnership strategies, and system coordination while maintaining a focus on equitable access, high-quality customer service, data-informed decision-making, and accountability. Through this updated Local Plan, the HCWDB reaffirms its commitment to a coordinated, accessible, and responsive system that prepares individuals for in-demand careers, supports business competitiveness, and strengthens the long-term economic vitality of suburban Hennepin and Carver Counties.
Per the requirements outlined by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Regional and Local Plan were subject to Public Hearing during the August 25th, 2026 meeting of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners’ Administration, Operations & Budget Committee. Input received via this Public Hearing has been incorporated into the Plan.
Current Request: The action request by the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Board is for the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to approve the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Local and Regional Plan and authorize staff to submit the Plan to the Governor of the State of Minnesota. This local plan will then be incorporated into the Unified or Combined State Plan for the State and submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor. The Plan outlines the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Board’s contribution to the statewide workforce development system.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval