Showing posts with label Workforce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Workforce. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Pittsylvania County Named Virginia’s Third Certified Work Ready Community

Most will not be able to see what is really being said here.  If you understand the term centralized and deploy-able workforce and know that it comes from the communist tenants then you will have a much better understanding of what you are about to read from the Virginia propaganda machine.

 RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Pittsylvania County has been designated as a Certified Work Ready Community (CWRC). The nationally recognized designation by the Commonwealth and American College Testing (ACT) will help Pittsylvania County attract new businesses and jobs as it signifies job ready skill sets of the county’s high school students, job seekers, and incumbent workforce.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor Terry McAuliffe said, “Developing core workforce development skills is an essential component to building a world-class economy. I applaud Pittsylvania County for its leadership and continued efforts to prepare local workers for innovative, high-tech jobs. This certification is the foundation to attracting private sector investments that contribute to our efforts to build a new Virginia economy in every corner of the Commonwealth.”

“Communities that prioritize the workforce readiness of their residents position themselves for economic growth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “I congratulate Pittsylvania County on their achievement, and I look forward to working with the county to promote their new certification.

“The designation of Certified Work Ready Community allows employers to recognize that our workforce has the foundational skills to help their businesses prosper,” said Laurie S. Moran, CCE, President & CEO of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. “It also provides the framework for our region to link workforce development to education, align our workforce with economic development, and match job seekers to jobs based on their skill levels. Our designation was a collaborative effort that demonstrates Pittsylvania County’s seamless and integrated workforce services for our employers and our job seekers.”

“Today’s achievement by Pittsylvania County demonstrates that when we work together as a region, great things are possible. It demonstrates to our existing employers, as well as prospective companies, that we have a trainable workforce with the foundational skills to compete,” stated Dr. Julie Brown, Program Director, Dan River Region Collaborative (DRCC).

More than 70 local employers, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations supported Pittsylvania County’s efforts to achieve this important national certification. To become certified, a county must achieve benchmarks in three areas of performance: high school graduation rate, number of National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) credentials attained in the county, and number of employers recognizing the NCRC. Amthor International, located in Gretna, Virginia and the site of today’s announcement, is just one of the companies in Pittsylvania County supporting the CWRC effort.

“Amthor International’s competitive advantage is derived from our focus on quality, delivery, and product innovations,” said Brian Amthor, Vice President. “With continued growth in our sales orders, it is critical that we have a workforce with foundational and mechanical skills that allow us to meet our customers’ requirements. By incorporating a nationally-recognized credential as part of our applicants’ assessments, we are able to hire quicker and train more effectively.”

CWRC is a voluntary initiative guided by key community leaders – local elected officials, economic development teams, business leaders, chambers of commerce, educators, and workforce development agencies. At the core of the ACT Work Ready Communities initiative is the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate™ (ACT NCRC®). Since January 2006, more than 2.75 million Americans have earned an ACT NCRC®. This national, portable credential includes three essential workplace skill categories: applied math, reading for information, and locating information. The NCRC credential is administered in Pittsylvania County by Danville Community College (DCC) with multiple agencies providing referrals. 

“Pittsylvania County’s workforce has been a key asset for our county as we recruit new businesses and support the expansion of our existing businesses,” commented Jessie L. Barksdale, Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. “The achievement of the Certified Work Ready Community designation validates our workforce has the foundational skills that employers need to be competitive and profitable in today’s global economy.”

Matthew Rowe, Pittsylvania County’s Director of Economic Development, stated, “Today’s certification announcement not only validates the strong and tough work ethic of the County’s workforce, but also recognizes its intelligence and readiness for 21st century jobs. The workforce of Pittsylvania County, along with its Southern Virginia neighbors, is ready to roll up its sleeves, get to work, and serve as example of why the Commonwealth is a great state for business.”

In addition to Pittsylvania County, Henry County and Halifax County have been certified as Work Ready Communities. Three neighboring southern Virginia localities are on track to become CWRCs within the next four months, including Patrick County, and the cities of Danville and Martinsville. In addition, Greensville County and the City of Emporia launched their CWRC initiatives in 2015, with Cumberland County planning to launch this spring. 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order Establishing Inter-Agency Task Force on Worker Misclassification and Payroll Fraud

English: Virginia State Corporation Commission...
English: Virginia State Corporation Commission Agency Seal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Governor Terry McAuliffe has signed Executive Order 24 establishing an interagency task force on worker misclassification and payroll fraud.

“Every Virginian who works hard and follows the rules should get the pay and benefits that they deserve,” said Governor McAuliffe “This executive order will begin a process to ensure that employers throughout the Commonwealth follow the same rules when it comes to benefits and pay for their employees.”

The text of executive order number 24 is as follows:


NUMBER TWENTY FOUR (2014)


ESTABLISHING AN INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE ON
WORKER MISCLASSIFICATION AND PAYROLL FRAUD


Importance of the Issue

            The misclassification of employees as “independent contractors” undermines businesses that follow the law, deprives the Commonwealth of millions of dollars in tax revenues, and prevents workers from receiving legal protections and benefits.

            A 2012 report of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) found that one third of audited employers in certain industries misclassify their employees. By failing to purchase workers’ compensation insurance, pay unemployment insurance and payroll taxes, or comply with minimum wage and overtime laws, employers lower their costs up to 40%, placing other employers at a competitive disadvantage.

            Based on state and national studies, JLARC estimated that worker misclassification lowers Virginia’s state income tax collections as much as $28 million a year. Agencies with relevant enforcement responsibilities, including the Virginia Employment Commission, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance, the Department of Taxation, and the Workers’ Compensation Commission each address only one component of this practice and may not fully coordinate their efforts. In its study, JLARC recommended the establishment of a task force with representatives from the agencies listed above. 

Establishment of the Task Force

            Pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, and the Code of Virginia, in order to examine the issue of worker misclassification and payroll fraud, I hereby create an Inter-Agency Taskforce on Worker Misclassification and Payroll Fraud (the “Taskforce”).


Initiatives

            The purpose of the Taskforce is to develop and implement a comprehensive plan with measureable goals to reduce worker misclassification and payroll fraud in Virginia. The activities of the Taskforce should include, but not be limited to:

1.     Review statutes and regulations related to worker misclassification and payroll fraud;
2.     Evaluate current enforcement practices of the agencies involved;
3.     Develop procedures for more effective inter-agency cooperation and joint enforcement;
4.     Implement a pilot project for joint enforcement;
5.     Develop educational materials and an outreach strategy for employers;
6.     Advise on any technological improvements in worker misclassification and payroll fraud detection; and,
7.     Recommend any appropriate changes to relevant legislation or administrative rules.

The Taskforce will be chaired by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade and will include representatives from the Virginia Employment Commission, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance, the Department of Taxation, and the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

            A workplan will be developed and a report on the progress of the Taskforce will be presented to the Governor by December 1, 2014

Staffing

            Staff necessary for the Task Force will be provided by the respective agencies participating with the Task Force. The estimated direct cost of the Task Force is $1,000. Funding necessary to support the Task Force will be provided from funds authorized by § 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date
 
            This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and, pursuant to §§ 2.2-134 and   2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia, shall remain in full force and effect for a year from its signing or until superseded or rescinded. 



            Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 14th day of August, 2014.




Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor









Attest:             _______________________________________
                        Levar M. Stoney, Secretary of the Commonwealth

Our Notes:  Expect increases in abuses, not less fraud.