Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc
Partner Profile
The Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc. (REB) is a business-led, non-profit corporation established by state and federal legislation and supported by local business, education, and labor leaders as the primary policy-making authority in developing workforce skills.
Our only business is workforce development. In partnership with government, business, labor and education and training providers, we coordinate, fund and oversee all the region's publicly funded worker training and employee placement programs. We are also conveners and brokers, constantly researching local labor market demands and developing appropriate strategic alliances among employers and training vendors to meet those needs.
We are uniquely positioned to be the “voice of the local labor market” because we have a "One-Stop" Career Center system where most of the local labor exchange happens. Through this One-Stop system, we have first-hand information on job seekers and job openings, labor supply and demand, and local employment trends.
Vision
The Regional Employment Board leads a dynamic, efficient and integrated workforce development system that promotes economic development and community growth, and is rooted in the principles of equity and increased access to workforce development services for employers and job seekers.
Mission
The Regional Employment Board plans, coordinates and oversees the growth and effective use of public and private investment in workforce development initiatives for quality jobs. The Board provides leadership in creating strategic alliances with business, government and community organizations to provide access to education, training and employment opportunities for all workers, especially for low income adults and youth, disadvantaged minorities and newcomers, dislocated workers, incumbent workers, and their families.
Goals
The REB sets forth the following Strategic Goals in four key areas to build the overall quality of our workforce.
- Retain, Expand and Attract Business through Workforce Development: Take a leadership role in integrating workforce development with initiatives that support business growth and success, and that enhance the skills of new/incumbent workers, leading to family economic self-sufficiency.
- Increase Basic Skills for a Quality Workforce: Align adult education programs and services to integrate literacy and work readiness skills with workforce development, resulting in career directed employment opportunities leading to economic self-sufficiency.
- Develop Youth Employability Skills: Improve and expand workforce development programs and services for youth, especially older youth who need basic skills development, English language proficiency and employment.
- Build Stakeholder Understanding and Support for Workforce Development: Increase stakeholders' understanding of the pivotal role of workforce development in community and economic development and their support for resources to expand public and private investment in the system.
