The Governor’s Workforce Investment Board (GWIB) is the governor’s chief policy-making body for workforce development. The GWIB is a business-led board of 45 members, a majority of whom represent the business community, as mandated by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). Other members include the governor and the lieutenant governor, cabinet secretaries, college presidents, the state superintendent of schools, elected officials, labor, and representatives of non-profit organizations. The GWIB is responsible for developing policies and strategies to form a coordinated workforce system from a variety of education, and employment and training programs. It brings together and focuses various workforce development partners and stakeholders on two key outcomes - a properly prepared workforce that meets the current and future demands of Maryland employers, and providing opportunities for all Marylanders to succeed in the 21^st century workforce.

GWIB’S CENTER FOR INDUSTRY INITIATIVES

The Center for Industry Initiatives assesses the workforce issues and demands of Maryland’s targeted industry sectors. Leaders from private industry, government, education and other stakeholders are engaged in a collaborative process which identifies critical industry workforce challenges and develops recommendations and strategies to address those challenges.

MISSION

To guide a nationally-recognized workforce development system that aligns with the economic and educational goals of the State of Maryland and will result in a qualified workforce available to employers across the State.

VISION

A Maryland where every person maximizes his or her career potential and employers have access to the human resources they need to be successful. The vision includes:

• Alignment of the business, workforce system, and economic development interests in Maryland.
• Well-integrated, coordinated and collaborative systems across agencies, institutions, local areas, and business.
• Preservation and expansion of Maryland’s highly-educated workforce.
• Creation of opportunities for all Maryland residents to participate and succeed in the workforce.

GOALS

• Align the educational system (P through 20) with economic development and industry needs.
• Increase the supply of skilled and trained workers to address worker shortages.
• Enhance connections between the emerging workforce (youth) and the workplace.
• Provide opportunities for untapped workers (people with disabilities, ex-offenders, TANF recipients, immigrants, etc.) to realize their full potential.

GWIB PRIORITIES: EDUCATION

• Develop a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) agenda to prepare the emerging workforce for knowledge-based industries and occupations, and the influx of STEM-related jobs associated with Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions.
• Expand Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs.
• Align adult learning efforts with existing workforce development programs.
  Increase faculty capacity in critical shortage areas (e.g., healthcare, education, STEM instruction, engineering, and BRAC-related occupations).
• Enhance opportunities for “early access” from high school to college.

GWIB PRIORITIES: WORKFORCE CREATION

• Increase access to employment opportunities for historically untapped workers.
• Ensure a supply of well-prepared workers to address critical worker shortages.
• “Grow our own” skilled workers and link them with Maryland businesses.
• Create greater awareness and expand use of Maryland’s One-Stop Workforce System with employers.