The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes the "GWIB cluster-based approach to workforce
development" as a national model worthy of replication. GWIB has worked with the healthcare industry to
development this approach, resulting in meaningful and sustainable results. As a result of the successful
healthcare coordinated approach, GWIB has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to establish the
GWIB Center for Industry Initiatives. Center staff will replicate the process used for healthcare in other
industries to document employment strategies and initiatives that will help these industries attract, develop
and retain their workers.
The GWIB worked collaboratively over one year with several other State agencies and businesses to use NAICS
codes to define the first thirteen targeted industries for employment development based on the following
criteria: 1) high population; 2) high growth or growth potential; and 3) critical to Maryland's economic
development. State agency representatives involved in this process came from the Labor Market and Analysis
Office at the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR), the Maryland Department of Business and
Economic Development (DBED), the Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs), the Maryland Higher Education
Commission (MHEC), the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the Maryland Association of Community Colleges.
The Center will provide guidance and limited financial support and research to the thirteen industry
initiative committees as they go through the process of resolving their industry's workforce development
issues. The 5-phase industry-led process involves engaging leaders of specific industries to lead and become
part of industry steering committees. In these committees, key industry representatives from across the state
follow a unique, employment-focused, cluster-based approach that will document their industry's demands and
identify the critical issues and initiatives that will help the industry to attract, train and retain a viable
workforce for the next ten years.
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