Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Arlington TX

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

The Center for a Competitive Workforce works with the U.S. Department of Labor in two key ways in the Recovery Act effort: (1) to provide worker training for these jobs; and (2) ease the burden of the recession on workers and employers by providing extended and expanded unemployment benefits and assisting and educating them regarding expanded access to continued health benefits.

The Center also works with the U.S. Department of Education, with overall Recovery efforts to stimulate the economy in the short-term and invest wisely, using these funds to improve schools, raise achievement, drive reforms and produce better results for children and young people for the long-term health of our nation.Close (X).

The Chamber works in partnership with the Fort Worth and Dallas Chambers of Commerce and the three local workforce development boards to meet the region’s workforce needs in high-demand areas. Employers, educators, and workforce development professionals exchange ideas and information that help each industry cluster meet the challenge of developing a quality workforce in our region. Target industry clusters have been formed to identify critical workforce needs in each industry. The clusters in development now are aerospace, health care, logistics, and semiconductor. Others will develop as interest and champions are found.Close (X).

Champion Education is an initiative of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Arlington Independent School District, to link business and education preparing students for a world of opportunity, to communicate AISD’s services and accomplishments to our community and to enhance the educational attainment levels of students in our public education system. Technology, global competition, and changes in skills from employers make it imperative that we focus on initiatives to prepare our youth for success, now and the future. The Chamber also serves as a conduit of information between the district and employers, helping identify and develop educational programs to meet business workforce needs. Close (X).

The Chamber annually hosts a State of the District luncheon, designed to give business and community leaders the opportunity to hear directly from the Arlington Independent School District. It also serves as a forum for the district to hear from business and community leaders about their concerns and gives the superintendent the opportunity to directly speak to the business community. Close (X).

In the spring of 2009, the Arlington Chamber Foundation and the Center for a Competitive Workforce were awarded a four year grant, in the amount of $200,000, from the AT&T Foundation. The AT&T Aspire High School Success special grants program is a $100 million national initiative aimed to address high school success and college and workforce readiness across the country. As a recipient of an AT&T Aspire grant, the Arlington Chamber Foundation and the Center for a Competitive Workforce, in partnership with the Arlington Independent School District, are committed to increasing student achievement, providing education and career pathways for students, engaging the business community in strong mentorship roles with students, and developing entrepreneurial opportunities and programs for students. Close (X).

In the fall of 2006, the Chamber secured a two-year $1 million grant from the Texas Workforce Commission for Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing. Partnering with Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, the University of Texas at Arlington, Tarrant County College Southeast Campus, Arlington Independent School District, and the National Association of Manufacturers, the Chamber developed regional plans for the implementation of job training programs in support of manufacturing businesses in North Texas. Close (X).

In the fall of 2007, the Chamber secured a one-year $250,000 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission for Logistics & Distribution technology research and commercialization. Partnering with American Airlines, DFW Airport, and General Motors, the Chamber engaged the University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Engineering to identify and research new and emerging technologies designed to improve competitiveness and develop North Texas’ capacity as a world-class Logistics & Distribution Center. These projects represent sustainable, replicable, and scalable models of workforce development, relative to logistics and distribution. Close (X).

The Center works in partnership with the Arlington Independent School District (AISD) to communicate AISD’s services and accomplishments to our community and to enhance the educational attainment levels of students in our public education system. The Center also serves as a conduit of information from AISD to employers and from employers to AISD, helping them to respond directly to the needs of employers. Close (X).

The Center works closely with Tarrant County College District and its Southeast Campus through Career, Workforce and Corporate Services departments, serving on advisory committees and engaging in collaborative efforts to aid employers with training needs for their existing and emerging workforce. The Center serves as a Job Developer for TCC Workforce Service’s Summer Youth Employment Programs, and also partners with TCC Corporate Services to develop curriculum in alignment with employer’s workforce demands. Close (X).

The Center works in partnership with UT Arlington in a number of ways. First, the Center works with the University’s continuing education department now known as the Division for Enterprise Development to prepare life-long learning experiences for students, adults and workers. Second, the Center partners with the University’s College of Education and its PK – 16 Council to align educational pathways from Pre-kindergarten through college graduation. And third, the Center works closely with the University’s College of Engineering to provide a combination of technology research and workforce training to local businesses. Close (X).

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County develops solutions for small, medium, and large businesses. Its mission is to “ensure the economic vitality of our community by building and maintaining a quality workforce development system.” Workforce Solutions’ services include customized training and professional outplacement services, all designed to meet workforce needs both now and in the future. Online job searches were recently made easier for Texans through the state’s new comprehensive job search resource: www.workintexas.com. Centers also provide staff-assisted services and funded programs to help assist in the transition from job seeker to employee. Close (X).