Strategic Plan for the Lancaster County Workforce Investment System

Mission, Vision, Goals and Performance Indicators

– Mission –

Overall, the mission of the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board is to coordinate, develop, and maintain an effective and responsive system of programs and services that integrates the needs of employers for an ample and productive workforce with the needs of Lancaster County residents for meaningful work that enhances their quality of life.

– Vision –

We see a system that takes a leading and influencing role within what is really a network of systems. We envision a workforce that is adequate in numbers and equipped with a work ethic, foundational academic skills, and specific occupational skills that fit the needs of local employers and that rival those of other areas with which we are in competition. We see a diverse workforce and prospective workforce with equal access to educational resources and a diverse job market where there is equal opportunity for all workers and prospective workers.

In addition, we see an environment where individuals find success and satisfaction in their careers and in the financial rewards that flow from them. We envision a system that is responsive to workforce needs as they emerge with the power and influence to make change happen. Ultimately, this overall process keeps the Lancaster County economy strong by encouraging established businesses to grow and prospective businesses to consider Lancaster County as a venue for their enterprises.

– Goals –

Our goals flow from our vision of the economy, the workforce, and the community as we see it evolving in the years to come:

1. Build and maintain a workforce that is adequate in numbers to meet the emerging needs of current and prospective Lancaster County businesses;
2. Develop and maintain a workforce that is equipped with a work ethic, foundational academic skills, and specific occupational skills that fit the emerging needs of local employers and that rival those of other areas with which we are in competition;
3. Assure equal access of all Lancaster County residents to education and employment;
4. Assist all Lancaster County residents in finding success and satisfaction in their careers.
5. Develop and maintain an effective and efficient workforce system that uses the power and influence of the WIB to attract partners, build alliances and coordinate resources.

– Performance Indicators –

There will be a variety of key variables that will allow the Board to gauge the overall performance of the workforce system. They include…

• A continually growing workforce,
• A lower unemployment rate,
• An increased number of people entering targeted occupational categories (gold collar jobs),
• More students enrolling in education and training programs that expand and complement the traditional four year college option,
• A lower dropout rate among high school graduates who do participate in post-secondary education of all kinds,
• Less remedial training needed on the job for high school graduates,
• Lower dropout rate among high school students,
  
• More people participating in continuing education activities,
• Higher literacy rate among the County population, and
• A lower number of people on public assistance of all kinds.