Maryland Workforce Development Board
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| Maryland Workforce Development Board | |
|---|---|
| Name | Maryland Workforce Development Board |
| Type | Statewide workforce board |
| Formation | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Region served | Maryland |
| Leader title | Chair |
| Parent organization | Maryland Department of Labor |
Maryland Workforce Development Board
The Maryland Workforce Development Board is the primary statewide body responsible for coordinating workforce development policy across Maryland. It advises the Governor of Maryland and aligns state programs with federal laws such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act while engaging with entities including the Maryland Department of Labor, regional county governments, and private employers. The board connects labor market strategies with initiatives from organizations like the U.S. Department of Labor, National Skills Coalition, and industry associations.
Overview
The board operates within the framework established by federal statutes such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and interacts with state institutions like the Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Department of Commerce, and Maryland Higher Education Commission. It convenes representatives from business, labor unions, community-based organizations, community colleges, and local workforce areas including jurisdictions such as Baltimore County, Maryland, Montgomery County, Maryland, and Prince George's County, Maryland. The board informs programs that intersect with initiatives from the U.S. Department of Education, Job Corps, ApprenticeshipUSA, and philanthropic actors such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in workforce-related pilot projects.
History and Establishment
The board was established following federal reforms embodied in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and later shaped by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. Early state planning involved coordination among the Office of Personnel Management (Maryland), the Maryland State Department of Education, and local workforce development boards such as the Baltimore City Workforce Development Board. Major milestones include alignment with statewide strategic plans promoted by governors including Larry Hogan and Martin O'Malley, and integration with statewide economic strategies from the Maryland Economic Development Commission and collaborative projects with research institutions like Johns Hopkins University and the University System of Maryland.
Structure and Membership
Statutorily composed to reflect private- and public-sector balance, the board includes representatives appointed by the Governor of Maryland from private business sectors, labor organizations such as the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL–CIO, education providers including Community College of Baltimore County and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and heads of state agencies like the Maryland Department of Human Services. Ex officio members often include officials from entities such as the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, Maryland Department of Disabilities, and the Maryland Department of Commerce. Committees mirror national models promoted by the U.S. Department of Labor and cover areas like industry partnerships, apprenticeships linked to ApprenticeshipUSA, and youth employment tied to programs like AmeriCorps.
Programs and Initiatives
The board oversees and advises on programs spanning sector partnerships in industries such as cybersecurity centered around Fort Meade, health care linked to institutions such as University of Maryland Medical System, and advanced manufacturing connected to regional clusters like Baltimore's Inner Harbor redevelopment. Initiatives include supporting registered apprenticeships in collaboration with Maryland Apprenticeship Training Program, job training funds that complement Trade Adjustment Assistance efforts, and targeted workforce pipelines aligned with the Maryland Clean Energy Center and transit projects involving Maryland Transit Administration. Youth and adult programs coordinate with Career and Technology Education (CTE) providers, Work-Based Learning partners, and nonprofit partners such as Goodwill Industries International affiliates.
Funding and Administration
Funding streams derive from federal allocations administered under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, discretionary grants from agencies including the U.S. Department of Labor, and state appropriations authorized by the Maryland General Assembly. Administration is executed in partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor which manages grants, procurement, and compliance with federal statutes such as the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. The board also advises on leveraging funds from philanthropic sources like the Annie E. Casey Foundation and private-sector workforce investments from corporations headquartered in Maryland including Lockheed Martin and Under Armour.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
The board maintains partnerships with regional workforce boards, employers such as Johns Hopkins Medicine and Northrop Grumman, labor organizations including the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL–CIO, education institutions like Towson University and Community colleges, and federal entities such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It engages stakeholder networks through initiatives modeled on national efforts from the National Governors Association, National Skills Coalition, and workforce data collaborations with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and state labor market information units.
Performance, Accountability, and Impact
Performance measures adhere to federal indicators established by the U.S. Department of Labor and state reporting requirements set by the Maryland General Assembly. The board reviews metrics such as employment retention, wage gains, credential attainment, and industry placement outcomes, often benchmarking against national data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and workforce outcomes reported by institutions like the National Student Clearinghouse. Evaluations have informed state strategies responding to economic shocks tied to events such as the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, shaping rapid reemployment programs and reskilling efforts in coordination with entities such as the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Department of Health.