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The Silent “C” in WIOA

By now everyone in workforce development land is entering the waters of WIOA. Some folks have dove into the pool, while others are gradually getting deeper in the WIOA Ocean. In my neck of the woods, we are walking into the ocean.  As part of this, front line staff received some training on the basics of WIOA. It was discussed how each partner is now a mandatory partner and each partner has the same outcomes, meaning that the era of paper only partnerships are over.
 
During this training the new buzz words “collaborative partnerships” were tossed around. Again this is a fancy way for saying everyone needs to play nice in the sandbox to get the job done. I get it.  We have left the farm. There are no more silos of “I only do this” and “that is not my job.”  The end result, employment, is everyone’s job.
 
In order for these new “collaborative partnerships” to work, there is something that needs to be in place. I call it the silent “C.”  It is communication.  The real change from WIA to WIOA is that everyone is required to communicate with one another. This is not just actual verbal communication, but in all ways. People must communicate with one another. Systems must speak with one another. Organizations must communicate internally and develop communication strategies for internal and external communication. The same organizations must learn to communicate with other organizations and work together systematically. All the organizations must communicate with government. Ultimately the government must communicate with all the stakeholders including the American people. Communication is now an intended process of the law.
 
This is not the first time that I have written about communication. Looking back, I tackled this subject in 2014 in a post called “You Said What!”  Communication must be on everyone’s mind as that was one of the most read posts of 2014.  Workforce development is at a critical time in history. It can go forward to be a powerhouse industry developing America’s workers or it can be a puppet show sponsored by government money for American people. The difference is how all stakeholders in WIOA communicate.
 
I am challenging the industry to harness the power of the silent “C” in WIOA.  For individual workforce development professionals that are reading this, I challenge you to find ways to develop your communication strategies both internally and externally with key partners. For organizations reading this, I challenge you to foster strong communication policies and practices within your organization and also with the partner organizations in your communities. For policy making bodies, I challenge you to be open and honest in your method of communication and be open to the communication from other levels.
 
Communication is a two way street.  Therefore, I want to hear from everyone in workforce development land. This is not “a call to arms,” but rather “a call to communicate.”  In the comments section, leave a comment about how you individually or on an organizational level will be communicating with other partners or stakeholders in WIOA. By sharing best practices, we are not only communicating with each other, but learning.
 
Thank you for reading. Thank you for posting. Communicating makes WIOA partnerships collaborative. ~ Karen Cirincione ~ kcirincione@gmail.com.  

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