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This handbook, titled “Working Together for a Competitive Workforce: A Handbook for State Policy Teams,” details the Investing in People (IIP) Project, a joint initiative by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and Jobs for the Future (JFF) conducted from 1992 to 1995. The project aimed to help five states (Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Washington, and West Virginia) develop strategies to meet the demands of a competitive global economy by integrating economic, education, and workforce development policies.Key aspects of the handbook include:
- Project Methodology: The IIP Project utilized a unique consensus-driven team process, involving members from both the public and private sectors (legislators, business leaders, educators, labor representatives, etc.).
- Policy Institutes: The teams attended two intensive policy institutes at neutral sites, featuring presentations by national experts, workshops, and team-building exercises to foster shared vision, knowledge, and commitment.
- Team Process: The handbook describes the stages of team development, characteristics of successful teams (e.g., complementary skills, common purpose, mutual accountability), and challenges faced by teams (e.g., political rivalries, lack of commitment, external factors). It emphasizes the importance of strong leadership, open communication, and sufficient time for complex policy development.
- State Case Studies: The handbook provides detailed accounts of each of the five participating states, outlining their initial goals, the strategies they developed, and their legislative and programmatic accomplishments. These case studies highlight efforts to promote high-performance work organizations, create integrated workforce development systems, enhance school-to-work transition programs, and improve basic skills for workers.
- Outcomes: The IIP Project’s methodology is presented as a valuable approach for states to overcome political obstacles and significantly improve their economic and workforce development systems. Accomplishments included legislative changes, increased interagency cooperation, and the creation of ongoing networks for policy promotion.
- Guidelines: The appendix offers guidelines for building successful teams, emphasizing multidisciplinary involvement, setting high and measurable goals, examining innovative funding approaches, and committing to long-term effort.
- Policy Initiatives: It also briefly describes policy initiatives from other states (Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina) and Germany’s dual apprenticeship system as models for workforce and economic development.
The handbook concludes that while some teams may end, others plan to continue, demonstrating the project’s success in fostering collaboration and advancing critical policy discussions.
