MEETINGS: The MWC meets every other month at various locations throughout Maricopa County on the fourth Thursday during the months of February, April, June, August, October and December. All agendas will be posted on the website and in the Human Service Department lobby, 234 N. Central Avenue, Suite 3201, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, 24 hours prior the day of the meeting.(map)

LIAISON: Kimberly Faust, Human Services Department, Workforce Development Division, (602) 506-7976

FORMATION AUTHORITY: Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and Maricopa Workforce Connections.

COMPOSITION: The Board of Supervisors established the Maricopa Workforce Connections under the auspices of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. By regulation, a majority of MWC membership shall be representatives of industry and business (including small business/minority business enterprises). MWC shall also include members representing organized labor, community based organizations, educational agencies and institutions, economic development agencies and all One-Stop partners as designated under the WIA. The Board of Supervisors shall appoint members to the MWC to serve two program years (from July 1 to June 30).

DUTIES AND POWERS: On May 4, 1987, the Board of Supervisors approved a joint-agreement between the Private Industry Council (Maricopa Workforce Connections), the Board, and the Human Services Department. The agreement prescribes the following duties and powers:

"II. AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES HELD JOINTLY BY THE BOARD AND MWC: MWC shall, in partnership with the Board of Supervisors and through the Human Services Department:

(1) Develop and submit a local plan to the Governor of the State of Arizona;
(2) Develop a budget for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Board. The (MWC) Chairperson agrees to exercise discretion in authorizing travel;
(3) Conduct oversight with respect to local programs of youth activities, local employment and training activities and the one-stop delivery system in Maricopa County;
(4) Review the local performance measures negotiated by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Maricopa Human Services Department and the Governor or her designee;
(5) Review the local and statewide employment statistics system reports on an annual basis to identify special initiatives;
(6) Coordinate workforce investment activities in Maricopa County with economic development strategies and develop other employer linkages with such activities;
(7) Promote the participation of private sector employers in the statewide workforce investment system and ensure the effective provision, through the system, of connecting, brokering and coaching activities, through intermediaries such as the Maricopa County Human Services Department the one-stop operator in Maricopa County or through other organizations to assist employers on hiring needs.

III. AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE (MARICOPA WORKFORCE CONNECTIONS) - Pursuant to the Act, Section 117, (MWC) shall provide policy guidance and oversight for employment and training activities conducted in the One-Stops.

A. (MWC) shall oversee the completion of a customer driven one-stop workforce delivery system in Maricopa County.
B. (MWC) will direct the implementation of comprehensive strategies for services to youth with special emphasis on the linkage between business and education. C. (MWC) will assist in the development and implementation of the Boards strategic plan.
D. (MWC) will promote business involvement in the workforce system and assist businesses in meeting their hiring needs.
E. (MWC) will coordinate workforce activities with economic development and educational activities in Maricopa County communities.

WEBSITE: http://www.maricopaworkforceconnection.com/