Regional Collaboration Center: Innovative Model for Dislocated Workers

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Regional Collaboration Center Innovative
Model for Dislocated Workers

• Julie Gibson, Director Missouri Division of
  Workforce Development

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Impact of Automaker Closures in the St. Louis
Region

• Major job loss in the St. Louis Metro region as a
  result of significant decrease in automotive
  manufacturing.
• 900 jobs were lost with the closing of Chrysler
  Truck plant.
• Over 5,000 have lost their jobs as a result of
  the closure of Fenton North and South (truck and
  minivan) plants.
• In addition, substantial numbers of workers have
  lost and continue to lose their jobs due to
  layoffs from auto suppliers and dealerships.
• And in the end, St. Louis has lost an icon that
  for over 50 years produced millions of vehicles
  and employed tens of thousands of hard working
  men and women.

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Economic Impact

• The overall economic impact of automotive
  assembly plants is staggering.
• Since 2000, Missouri has lost 71.4 of its
  automotive jobs a larger percentage than any
  other major auto-producing state including
  Michigan. 
• MERIC estimates 4 additional jobs lost in the
  local economy for every 1 job lost at an assembly
  plant.
• Auto manufacturing used to contribute over 4
  billion to the states economy annually. 

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Unprecedented Economic Event Non-Traditional
Response

• With the encouragement of Governor Nixon and
  community leaders, and the blessing of the U.S.
  Department of Labor, DWD took an innovative,
  customer-focused approach to assist workers
  affected by the Chrysler closure.
• Less than one month after production operations
  ceased at the Fenton Truck Plant, Governor Nixon
  formally opened the new Regional Collaboration
  Center in Fenton.

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Regional Collaboration Center

• Provides comprehensive reemployment services for
  autoworkers and suppliers affected by Chrysler
  layoffs.
• Innovative partnership between DED/DWD, the
  United Autoworkers (UAW), St. Louis Community
  College, and the four Workforce Investment Boards
  in the region.
• A model one stop career center built around the
  needs of customers.

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Regional Collaboration Center

• High-tech, high-touch facility close to
  Chrysler Fenton Assembly Plant.
• Fully integrated staff -- that includes UAW
  members/former Chrysler workers all with
  knowledge of all products and services and able
  to provide personal service to all customers.
• State-of-the-art computer lab and classroom
  learning

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Regional Collaboration Center

• Products and Services include
• skill assessments
• on-site learning (computer lab and classroom)
• workshops/training developed specifically for the
  needs of the customers
• referrals to skills-retraining programs
• job-search coaching, assistance, and placement
• financial counseling
• interviewing/résumé preparation

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Regional Collaboration Center Offers Assistance
to Employers, Too

• Products and Services include
• Assisting with writing and posting effective job
  listings
• Matching businesses with skilled workers
• Accepting applications on the employers behalf
• Screening applicants based on employers criteria
• Scheduling interviews and providing interviewing
  space
• Hosting recruitment events
• Providing pre-hire assessments through Workkeys

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Role of St. Louis Community College

• Serve as local grant recipient leaseholder
• Provide experienced Career Center Staff
• Facilitate alignment with WIA NEG services
• Implement career blueprinting concept
• Provide on-site accelerated training
• Provide on-site basic skill training
• Build capacity for Pell Grant financial aid
  counseling
• Help incubate and harvest new model

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Differentiating Qualities of Regional
Collaboration Center

• Information-rich resource library
• Reduced paperwork
• Team-based approach to managing customer flow
• True functional management of integrated partner
  staff
• On-site basic skill and occupational training
• E-learning lab for self directed digital literacy
  and skill credentials

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Regional Collaboration Center

• Questions?
• Julie Gibson, Director, Missouri Division of
  Workforce Development
• Rod Nunn, Vice Chancellor for Workforce and
  Community Development, St. Louis Community
  College
• Joe Ruzicka, Program Manager, Employment and
  Training Center, St. Louis Community College
• Gordon Douglas, Supervisor, Fenton Career Center
• Sally Sowards, Labor Liaison, United Auto Workers
  Labor Employment Training Corporation
• For further information, email mike.waltman_at_ded.mo
  .gov