May 2009 Newsletter

Feature Article

Workforce Investment Act - Working with your WIB

Former President Bill Clinton recently described the ARRA funds as a bridge over troubled waters. The funding is not going to fix the economy, however, it will enable us to prepare workers for tomorrow’s jobs. As the economy recovers, these workers will be ready to go back to work as highly skilled and effective employees. Training providers across the country are interested in being a part of the education and training process, but many are unsure how to go about getting WIA funds.

Traditional WIA funds and ARRA funds are distributed to each state by formula, and the state disperses the funding to the local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs). WIBs typically serve one or more counties, and there may be more than one WIB serving a large city. WIBs play a crucial role in local workforce development, providing a variety of services to individuals in need, including employment assistance, skills evaluation, and funding for career training.

Having a good relationship with your local WIB increases your potential for success with WIA dramatically. The WIBs control the funding and approve training providers for adult, dislocated workers, and youth. It is their job to distribute the funds quickly and effectively. Showing the WIB how you can assist in providing comprehensive, effective training in a variety of in-demand areas is a great way to start developing a great relationship. Currently, WIBs can contract directly with Higher Education and Eligible Training Providers. This opportunity is a great benefit to colleges and universities that has not been allowed in the last 10 years!

Click to Download Flyer

Marketing your ed2go Online Courses and ed2go|GES Online Career Training Programs to your WIB is easy. We are here to assist you with marketing materials and ideas to connect with your WIB. For example, there is a fabulous flier available for the Summer Youth program that partners can customize and take to their WIB offices.

More opportunities to work with WIA are becoming available daily. Pay attention to your local WIB Web site and look for articles in the local paper. Start developing a relationship with your local WIB today, so you will be in a position to take advantage of these opportunities tomorrow!

If you have any questions, please contact your Account Manager.

 

ed2go Featured Partner

Each month we will share stories about how we work together with partners to increase enrollments and generate additional revenue in order to bring online learning to more students. This month, we are highlighting Trenton Hightower from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) for his use of a grant to significantly increase the VCCS enrollments.

Virginia Community College

In January 2009, Trenton Hightower, Vice-Chancellor, received funding to be used by the Virginia Community Colleges to offer reduced rates on both their ed2go Online Courses and ed2go|GES Online Career Training Programs. The funding was used for all enrollments during the month of March, offering students either a 20% discount for the Online Courses or a $300 discount for the Online Career Training Programs.

This discount resulted in an over 140% increase in enrollments for the Online Courses and a 200% increase in enrollments for the Online Career Training Programs.

One reason for this huge increase in enrollments was the comprehensive promotion they created. Here’s a peak at what the promotion featured:

• Trenton Hightower encouraged all VCCS schools to build or update their student e-mail address database and send a notification of the discounts to all students.
• VCCS schools were encouraged to advertise on local Web sites and partner with local organizations such as their Chamber of Commerce in getting the word out.
• VCCS schools were invited to a Webinar hosted by ed2go. The Webinar focused on how the program would work and also included a presentation by Piedmont Virginia Community College on best practices in promoting their Online Courses and Online Career Training Programs.
•  ed2go created an e-mail to all students from the State of Virginia who had requested information regarding the Online Career Training Programs to let them know about this special offer.