The Little Rock Workforce Development Board (LRWDB) publicized and attended a one-hour webinar on June 22 entitled “Not Just Smoke and Mirrors: Economic Development Strategic Partnerships.”
TheTechnical Assistance (TA) webinar was offered at the invitation of Secretary Hugh McDonald and the Arkansas Department of Commerce, along with Dr. Charisse Childers and the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services. The session was jointly hosted by the United States Department of Labor and Workforce GPS. LRWDB attendees joined other workforce board members, staff, Chief Elected Officials, American Job Center partners, and workforce grantees to learn about the economic development cycle and how workforce boards fit into the equation.
The event was moderated by Robin Fernkas, Deputy Administrator, Office of Workforce Investment, Employment and Training Administration. Presenters included:
Melissa Aguilar-Southard, Senior Director, Safal Partners
Rodney Carson, CEcD, CBA and Principal Engagement Manager, SAS
Pat Sturdivant, Executive Director, Capital Area Workforce Development at Wake County Government
David Hollars, Director, Centralina Workforce Development Board
Presenters covered key economic development topics, featuring insight into high-quality and valued strategic partnerships between economic development entities and the workforce development systems at the state and local levels. Topics focused on how partnerships focused on ROI for employers can impact the trajectory of the economic development process in influencing growth and restructuring an economy. Significant attention was also given to the need for workforce development’s assistance in supporting employers to recruit resources and effectively manage the talent pipeline process.
