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Workforce Development Arden Hills has one of the most highly skilled, highly educated workforces in the State of Minnesota. This strength is a blessing that needs to be protected as much as possible. Promoting the excellent school system as a community asset is essential to long term success in economic development. For the rank and file workers, much of the City's success in Workforce Development will result in partnering with The Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board (RCWIB) in this area. RCWIB is networked into a statewide system of education and training that prepares people for high-skill jobs and assures employers of a skilled flexible workforce in the future. This comprehensive program is designed to improve the;productivity level of the workers and allow companies to grow in the future': 26) Education. The quality of the local school system and the work ethie;it instills in the students may be the most valuable asset in the overall economic development resource base. Promoting, protecting and enhancing the school/business relatettshp is an essential component to maximizing the role that education plays in economic tlevelopment. In the BRE section of the plan, we discussedways that the'business ctii�munity can become more actively involved in the local school program: 27) Foster Workforce Training Initiatives. Through the BRE effort, help to bring new training opportunities to the attention of key partners such as CWI. There are funds and programs available through the RCWIB that can brokered as solutions for locaU employers in the community. These resources can help cut the cost of workforce development significantly for qualified activities. 28) Data Collection. Some workforce information is readily available but a great deal of it is not. The ability of the City to collect this less accessible information and to make it available to the employers is directly proportional to their success with retaining and attracting companies. The most valuable information is wage and salary data broken out by job classification. The goal is to collect and disseminate valuable labor information not readably attainable in other areas in order to set the community apart from its neighbors. 29) Certified Worker Program. In order to increase the value of the workforce in the community, a certified worker program that promotes a qualified worker should be considered. However, since the school system is not exclusive to Arden Hills, this program will have limited value in differentiating Arden Hills from its competing neighbors. We would recommend that it be pursued however as many of the competitive situations will involve Arden Hills competing against communities outside of the Metropolitan area. Working Copy— Not for Circulation 9