Northwest Workforce Investment Board
Becky Steele: Executive Director
912 Main Street * Trenton, MO 64683 * 800-794-3535 * 660-359-3622 * 660-359-3082 Fax
 
Serving 18 counties in Northwest Missouri
 Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Dekalb, Daviess, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Sullivan, Worth

"A qualified person for every job; a quality job for every person"

Through partnership with each local community, it is our vision that every employer will maintain a qualified, productive workforce; and that every job-seeker will have education and training opportunities, throughout their lifetime, which lead to a lasting, living-wage job commensurate with their abilities and goals.

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The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Northwest Missouri is an appointed group of community leaders responsible for developing and directing employment - related opportunities. Our goal is an economically self-sufficient, productive and skilled workforce through partnerships with community, business, and the workforce.

The board is an appointed body, certified by the Governor to set policy, guide implementation, and provide oversight to the local workforce development system, as authorized by Public Law 105-220, the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

The goal of the Workforce Investment Act is to:

  • Increase the occupational skill attainment, employment, retention, and earnings of individuals, and as a result
  • Increase the quality of the workforce
  • Reduce welfare dependency, and
  • Enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation
  • The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 requires that each workforce investment area (18 counties of Northwest Missouri) establish a single WIB to set policy, guide implementation, and provide oversight to the local workforce development system.

The WIB is also a forum for planning workforce development strategies. The Board attempts to anticipate economic and business trends, develop community linkages and partnerships, and provide a focus on system outcomes.

  • The broad representation of various public and private sectors on the WIB facilitates community planning
  • The analysis of labor market information, economic trends, and industry patterns provides the basis for planning.
  • Planning focuses on outcomes.

The guiding principles of the WIB are as follows:

  • Work enhances the quality of life.
  • Collaboration is essential to success.
  • Communities working together are strengthened.
  • Best service possible.
  • A workforce system that supports business needs.
  • Trust, Integrity, Leadership.

Members of the WIB include representatives from:

  • Business and Industry
  • Community-based Organizations
  • Economic Development
  • Labor
  • Education
  • One Stop Partners

The majority of membership on the Board is reserved for individuals with "optimum decision-making authority" in their business or industry. The Northwest Missouri Workforce Investment Board has 40 members ~ 21 are Business and Industry leaders.

Though not voting members of the Northwest Missouri Workforce Investment Board, the eighteen Presiding Commissioners are ex-officio members ~ since they are ultimately responsible for all funds appropriated under the Workforce Investment Act. They appoint members to the WIB, and work with the WIB to develop a local plan and oversee the One-Stop delivery system. They also have a separate body - the Chief-Elected Officials Coordinating Committee, which meets bi-annually to handle relevant workforce development issues.

The functions of the WIB include:

  • Develop a local plan
  • Select Operators and Providers of Services
  • Budget Administration
  • Program Oversight
  • Negotiate Performance Measures
  • Employment Statistics System
  • Employer Linkages
  • Connecting, Brokering, Coaching

The WIB meets at least every other month in various locations throughout the eighteen counties. They attempt to connect with other institutions, industries, or groups who are struggling with like issues in workforce development. They focus on a workforce development system, rather than singular program operations. They also try to avoid duplication of effort.

What Difference Does It Make To Me?

  • Improved stewardship of tax dollars
  • Local input in system design and oversight
  • Available resource for business and industry
  • Lift up community workforce issues

The Northwest Missouri Workforce Investment Board can help ensure that in workforce development, we are doing the right things, and that we are doing things right! Effectiveness and Efficiency.

Our Vision

  1. Population is increasing in the region, creating a larger labor pool for the available workforce. This compensates for the retiring baby-boomers.
  2. Educational institutions are providing classroom training necessary to prepare individuals for locally-available skilled jobs, thus the workforce has become higher skilled.
  3. Individuals recognize the benefit of perpetual learning, and realize that career development is a life-long process.
  4. No one is left behind...there are options at all levels for individuals to find employment which maximizes their particular interests and skills.
  5. There is effective communication between all partners in the workforce development system, resulting in a good match between employers' needs and educational / employment preparation.
  6. Creative problem-solving in an open arena is the accepted standard for both proactive (economic development) and reactive (rapid response) positions.

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Last modified: June 15,  2009