Planning Process

Community Audit / Needs Assessment

Regional Public Planning Meetings

Development of the Plan and Planning Committee Review

Community Audit / Needs Assessment
Needs Assessment is an in-depth study of demographic, economic, and workforce data. The needs assessment identifies the trends in our local economy, the condition of business and industry, and the problems facing the employers and workforce in the area.  The identification of these issues provides The WorkPlace with a basis for the workforce development plan. 

The WorkPlace Inc.'s 2006 Community Audit and Needs Assessment is available here.  

Regional Public Planning Meetings
Regional public planning meetings are held throughout the region. Representatives of organizations involved with workforce development are represented at these meetings. Attendees review a draft plan and discuss concerns uncovered in the Needs Assessment, as well as how to address these issues.  The meetings are comprised of individuals from business, training organizations, economic development, educational institutions, community organizations and government.  

Development of the WorkPlace Plan and Planning Committee Review
Input from the public planning meetings is incorporated into the draft plan, then presented to the planning committee. The planning committee reviews, revises and ratifies the plan which becomes the updated Workforce Development Plan for The WorkPlace, Inc.  The Planning Committee is made up of individuals from all sections of workforce development.

The results of this process allow for a greater understanding of the issues and problems facing the Southwestern Connecticut workforce and the development of innovative projects to address these issues.  In addition, the needs assessment becomes a valuable information resource for employers and providers in the region.