Assuming duties of the State Council on Vocational-Technical Education in 1993, the Workforce Investment Board served as Maryland's human resource investment council under the federal Job Training Partnership Act (Chapter 463, Acts of 1993), which became the Workforce Investment Act in 2001. Later in 1993, the Board was made an independent agency, separate from the Department of Economic and Employment Development (Executive Order 01.01.1993.30). In accordance with the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the Board reorganized as the Governor's Workforce Investment Board in August 1998 (Executive Order 01.01.1998.23) and further reformed its membership in November 2004 (Executive Order 01.01.2004.60). In accordance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, membership on the Governor's Workforce Investment Board was further amended in June 2015 (Executive Order 01.01.2015.19). In July 2016, the Board was renamed the Governor's Workforce Development Board (Chapter 344, Acts of 2016).
The Governor's Workforce Development Board helps plan, coordinate, and monitor State programs and services for workforce development. It also advises the Governor on the development, implementation, and modification of the four-year State Plan, as required by federal law. The State Plan, covering 2020 to 2024, was submitted by the Board to the Governor in March 2020.
Statewide workforce policies and programs are reviewed by the Board. Moreover, it recommends ways to improve workforce development, remove barriers to employment; support workers' transition from education and training into the workforce; provide effective outreach and access for individuals and employers; and expand sector partnerships.
To meet the needs of employers, workers, and job seekers, the Board oversees a one-stop delivery system of employment services. The Board identifies and disseminates best practices related to effective operation of one-stop centers, local boards, training programs, and placement services; and identifies technological upgrades for improving the quality of services, and access to them.
To assess the effectiveness of core programs, the Board develops and updates accountability standards. By these standards, workforce outcomes are measured, gauging short- and long-term employment rates, earnings, credential completions, skill gains, and effectiveness in serving employers.
Since 2003, the Board has been housed in the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation, now the Maryland Department of Labor, for administrative and budgetary purposes only.
Board membership was reconstituted in June 2015 (Executive Order 01.01.2015.19). Members include those appointed by the Governor to four-years terms, as well as one member appointed by the Senate President, and one by the House Speaker. Nine members serve ex offico. The Governor names the chair (Code Labor and Employment Article, sec. 11-505; Executive Order 01.01.2004.60; Chapter 123, Acts of 2005; Executive Order 01.01.2015.19).
The Committee develops the agenda for meetings of the Governor's Workforce Development Board, and advises the Board on strategic planning, legislation, and operations.
WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT
Workforce Engagement identifies partners essential to the mission of the Governor's Workforce Development Board. With them, it develops productive working relationships as it does with State agency staff, local workforce development boards, and educational institutions.
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In January 2018, Workforce Engagement formed.
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