Ozark Region Workforce Development Board seeks feedback on workforce survey

The Ozark Region Workforce Development Board, which works to identify workforce, education and training needs in a seven-county area, is asking for feedback from area stakeholders in a workforce survey.

The survey, available here, runs through Dec. 6. The Ozark Region Workforce Development Board is partnering with New Orleans-based Dadco Consulting Services Inc. on the survey, which is expected to take less than 15 minutes to complete. Andrea Sitzes, Workforce Development Board chair, said Dadco Consulting Services is being paid $19,600 for each phase in a consulting contract, and so far the board has approved three phases.

The survey points to an effort to "identify strategic actions to enhance the board's effectiveness in delivering critical workforce services throughout the region."

The survey states, "Key activities include connecting employers with qualified job seekers, training and skill development, workforce planning and strategy, career counseling and job readiness, youth employment initiatives and support for special populations. As a key stakeholder, your insights are essential to this process."

Sitzes said the survey is building upon the organization's improvement process that started with a retreat in November 2023 to assess areas where it could improve. A task force committee formed in response to the retreat recently played a role in the board's decision to remove the city of Springfield as its fiscal agent, according to past reporting.

The survey, Sitzes said, would help the board build its strategic action plan. A retreat is scheduled Dec. 17 with a goal of finalizing the strategic plan by year's end, she said.

"The strategic action plan will direct the board on best practices in managing and deploying workforce dollars," Sitzes said via email.