Maryland Department of Labor Benchmarks of Success Part One Video Highlights - Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Interview Host: Welcoming Remarks/ Introduction of GWDB Chair Dubin

Question 1: Last month Secretary Padilla explained the importance of the Benchmarks of Success. Would you explain the meaning behind the Benchmarks?

GWDB Chair Dubin’s Response/Highlights:

• The Benchmarks’ Vision: Serve as a “framework” used by the System partners to build effectiveness, support transparency about progress, and help local workforce partners align resources.
• The Benchmarks are…
• A leadership tool that will help Maryland’s Workforce System meet its commitment to place “people before performance.”

Question 2: What is the timeline for rolling out the benchmarks, keeping in mind continuity of messaging?

GWDB Chair Dubin’s Response/Highlights:

• As you know the Benchmarks Initiative is a highly robust strategic plan, developed in cooperation with multiple state departments/agencies, the GWDB, and Governor Hogan.
• We want the goals set forth in the Benchmarks to positively impact the customers served throughout Maryland’s Workforce System, so our communication plan and its execution must deliver a clear purpose. We need to be ready to customize the message depending upon the audience.
• So for instance, the vision, goals, and benchmarks will be at the core, but the message being communicated about them and how they apply to CEO’s/ Board members will differ from the message we communicate to Jobseekers.
• Timeline: We began our communications “roll out” in tandem with Governor Hogan’s announcement that the revised State Plan was approved by our federal partners in early June. Since then, we have been working hard to get the word out statewide. An initiative such as this will take some time, but Maryland’s workforce system partners are committed to the Benchmarks – we need to ensure the commitment from everyone.