Title
Local Workforce Area Plan Update - Citywide
Description
Request the Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee recommend City Council approval of the Local Workforce Development Area Plan Update for Program Years 2027-2028 and authorization to submit the approved plan update to the Workforce Arizona Council by January 29, 2027.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
The Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board (Board) is a local workforce development board established by federal law in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Local Workforce Development Area Plan (Local Plan) is developed under the shared governance structure authorized by City Council Ordinance S-51674, which establishes joint responsibility between the Phoenix City Council and the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board for local planning, oversight, performance negotiation, and selection of operators and service providers as required by WIOA.
WIOA requires each Workforce Development Board to submit a Local Plan to the state workforce board, in Arizona the Workforce Arizona Council, every four years. Additionally, the Local Plan must be updated after two years.The Local Plan is a four-year action plan to develop, align, and integrate service delivery strategies and resources across the ARIZONA@WORK system in a Local Workforce Development Area (LWDA).
The Local Plan update ensures that the plan remains responsive to shifts in employment trends, the emergence of new in-demand industries and occupations and aligns Board strategies with economic realities. The Local Plan update also ensures local plans stay consistent with changing State and regional workforce goals. The Local Plan update encourages monitoring performance metrics and aligning updated performance measures and accountability requirements. The Local Plan is developed in partnership with stakeholders in the workforce system to strengthen partnership and foster support of local workforce development initiatives, and allows for renewed input from business leaders, education providers, and community groups.
The two-year update of City of Phoenix Local Plan includes:
- Changes to the City of Phoenix LWDA infrastructure include designation of the City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department as Fiscal Agent, updates to short-term economic projection, and programmatic adjustments.
- Incorporation of the 2026-2029 Board Strategic Plan, including the updated vision, goals, and workforce strategies that guide LWDA priorities.
- Updates to ARIZONA@WORK City of Phoenix one-stop system coordination, including required one-stop partners and changes reflected in the new One-Stop System Memorandum of Understanding and Infrastructure Funding Agreement.
- Revised performance expectations, including updated WIOA performance measures negotiated with the State.
A structured public comment period to ensure stakeholder and community input is incorporated into the final plan. The Local Plan was made available electronically through social media and via email beginning in early October.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The 2025-28 Local Plan was approved by the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee on October 9, 2024, and the Phoenix City Council on October 30, 2024.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Community and Economic Development Department.