Leggett Initiative to Overhaul County Workforce Development Moves Forward; Council Approves Legislation, CEO Search Underway

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 15, 2015

County Executive Ike Leggett’s initiative to wholly revamp the County’s workforce development efforts moved forward this week with County Council approval of the non-profit WorkSource Montgomery Inc. as the operating arm of the new Workforce Development Board – and the beginning of the search for a dynamic CEO to head the new effort.

Consolidating and streamlining the way Montgomery County promotes job training and placement for County workers and meets the work force needs of the County employers – large and small – was an important plank in Leggett’s Six-Point Economic Development Plan. The Plan, unveiled by Leggett in his inaugural speech as he began his third term last December, built on the community impact efforts made by Montgomery Moving Forward, an effort by non-profits, the business community and government and a Workforce Strategies Steering Committee that produced the final recommendations. Click here to see that action plan.

“We need to meet the talent attraction, development, and retention needs of strategic industries in the County,” said County Executive Leggett. “We must better address the needs of the unemployed and the underemployed. And we need to develop career pathways that lead to sustainable wage jobs, support a thriving economy, and strengthen the County’s tax base.”

“The County’s new workforce development structure is intended to work more closely with private employers to identify workers whose skills meet the requirement of the market, and assist county residents to change careers and achieve satisfying results,” said County Council President Leventhal.

“The structure that we just approved will allow for more flexibility in many aspects, including retaining current businesses and attracting new ones to the County,” said Councilmember Nancy Floreen, Chair of the Council’s Planning, Housing & Economic Development Committee. “We are truly elevating the status of economic development and business growth in Montgomery County.”

The system is comprised of two boards. One is in charge of operations: WorkSource Montgomery, Inc. (WSM). The other serves as the policy-setting entity that directs the policy that the operating entity executes -- the Workforce Development Board. Together, the two boards will facilitate the roles, functions, and strategic initiatives the organization needs to execute to ensure alignment with economic development priorities.

“Transforming the current workforce system, not just reorganizing it, is of paramount importance to the business community,” said Leggett. ”Finding qualified talent is a key sustainability and growth issue for most businesses. Right now it is too much work to find qualified people. Addressing the skills gap/credentials gap between what our anticipated needs will be is a strategic imperative for most businesses.”

The Executive Search for a WSM CEO has begun under the direction of Strumpf Associates. For information on job requirements, go to Washington Post Jobs. A CEO is projected to be on board by March 7, 2016.

“I believe that the new structure and mission affords us the opportunity to transform Montgomery County” said Leggett. “It will help us to better develop talent and provide opportunities for all our citizens, those who are employed and exploring new opportunities, those who are underemployed, and those who are unemployed and need the skills and credentials required to get good jobs at a living wage. It will provide a better system to serve the needs of our business sector.”




Release ID: 15-361
Media Contact: Patrick Lacefield 240-777-6507