The representatives of mayors and the local workforce system asked Giovannini to discuss how local workforce boards can partner with community colleges to provide real time training for targeted industries and improve workforce development efforts in cities.

Giovannini was recommended to the council by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Walter Bumphus, president and CEO of the AACC, expressed confidence in his organization’s choice of Giovannini to represent the association and community colleges across the nation at the conference.

“Dr. Giovannini is an active member of the AACC Board of Directors and has extensive experience in both community college leadership and workforce development,” Bumphus said. “His expertise in both areas is a fitting metaphor for the critical importance of a strategic relationship between our community colleges and Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs).”

Giovannini will present the future paradigm necessary for effective results-oriented WIB/Community College Partnerships today. These partnerships are crucial to maximizing the potential of workforce development programs.

“Traditional education delivery systems focus on the supply of talent, but that needs to change,” Giovannini said. “Education and training solutions must evolve and quickly become demand-driven. Resources must be directed toward programs that fill the void experienced by companies today in order to maximize programs and adequately prepare individuals for available positions.”

Giovannini will cover details of Maricopa Corporate College’s current, innovative process that is successfully preparing and connecting Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) participants with open jobs.

The Workforce Investment Opportunity Act, which replaced the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, created or updated several programs in order to provide access to employment, education, training and support services for individuals and access to skilled workers for employers. As many of the provisions of WIOA go into effect July 2015, it is important that both community colleges and Workforce Investment Boards are prepared.

“It is our responsibility to assure WIOA funds are utilized to address long-term skills gap strategies and quickly prepare participants for open jobs,” Giovannini said.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. Each of the 1,400 cities within this organization is represented by its mayor. Some of the primary roles of this organization include promoting the development of effective national urban/suburban policy and ensuring that federal policy meets urban needs.

The Workforce Development Council (WDC) is a division of the USCM that influences and advocates for workforce funding, influences workforce-related regulations and legislation, and builds partnerships and visibility as workforce development experts. The council works to increase employer engagement for youth employment and influence youth-related regulations as well.

For the original press release, visit PR Web.