What is The WPN? The Workforce Preparation Network was formed to bring together community partners to implement coordinated and sustainable strategies for improving career preparation and advancement skills/resources for Monroe County and to help our citizens face the challenges of and seize the opportunities inherent in the 21st century economy, thereby increasing self-sufficiency.

What are the goals of the WPN?
1. Enhance the awareness of local employment and career preparation resources and opportunities
2. Increase the pool of qualified employees, especially for high demand fields, through improved access to both career preparation and advancement
3. Promote career and worker preparation resources in our community, especially for youth and teens
4. Identify and incorporate the development of employee soft skills in career preparation and advancement
5. Facilitate the creation of a supportive environment where every individual in Monroe County earns at least a high school diploma or equivalent
6. Reach vulnerable populations through these efforts, including at-risk teens, persons with disabilities, persons for whom English is not their first language, and persons experiencing economic and related barriers to education and career advancement
7. Coordinate a “clearinghouse” concept for community data, community initiatives and best practices information
8. Enhance community understanding of the 21st century work environment
9. Promote a culture of life-long learning
 

Why should Monroe County be concerned?  The most recent Monroe County needs assessment, SCAN 2003, demonstrated that education level is directly linked with economic success and stability.

Adults who have not completed a high school education earn substantially less than those who do complete high school, and often struggle just to make ends meet. Many end up living in poverty.

Workers with even some post-secondary training have higher levels of income and less difficulty paying for essentials like housing, food and
clothing.

Too many youth drop out of school entirely, or make poor early choices that limit later opportunities. Some at-risk students are difficult to identify and reach.

Both youth and adults with inadequate education lack the preparation including workforce/soft skills to be successful in the new economy. They are not able to take advantage of the growing opportunities available in Monroe County, which has experienced great success in attracting 21st century businesses such as life sciences, bio-technology and information technology.
 

What is The WPN doing about this situation?  The WPN is seizing an opportunity to promote the work and life skills that are necessary to increase our individual and combined self-sufficiency. Working with a variety of community stakeholders including business, labor, social service, governmental, educational and other partners, the WPN will act as an umbrella of collaborative efforts. A unique feature of all these efforts is the strong partnership bonds that are being formed between the participants as we stay focused upon the greater vision of reduced poverty and increased self-sufficiency for Monroe County.  Read more about the exciting projects that are part of the WPN!

Partnership Building:  A major benefit of the WPN is that community partners, some of whom have never worked together before, can share ideas and resources.  Many community groups have joined the WPN:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Bloomington Life Sciences Partnership
• Boys and Girls Club
• Catholic Charities
• City of Bloomington
• Four Rivers Resources
• Franklin Initiative
• Girls Incorporated
• Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace
• IBEW Local 725
• Indiana Div. of Family Resources
• Indiana Legal Services
• Indiana University
• Indiana Youth Institute
• Ivy Tech Community College
• LIUNA Local 741
• MCCSC Adult Education
• Middle Way House
• Monroe County Commissioners
• Monroe County Economic Development
• Monroe County Schools
• Monroe County Public Library
• Monroe County United Ministries
• Plumbers & Steamfitters U.A. Local 136
• Step Ahead Council
• So. Central Indiana Building Trades
• Stone Belt Arc
• United Way
• Youth Services Bureau
• White River Central Labor Council
• Work One

Investors:  In Monroe County, several groups have invested their funds to provide seed money for this project: Franklin Initiative, Monroe County Step Ahead Council, Ivy Tech Community College – Region 14, Stone Belt Arc, IBEW Local 725, LIUNA Local 741, UA Local 136, South Central Indiana Building Trades, White River Central Labor Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., Rhinos Youth Center, and United Way of Monroe County