Governor Rowland: Number 14

WHEREAS, Connecticut�s economy has rebounded, with 90,000 new jobs, unemployment at an all-time low of 3.1% and new businesses relocating here, and

WHEREAS, a skilled workforce is essential to Connecticut�s continued economic health and development; and

WHEREAS, on August 7, 1998, the President of the United States signed into law the most comprehensive job training reform in fifteen years, the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and

WHEREAS, that Act empowers the states to foster and encourage lifelong learning programs in partnership with business, the trades and higher education, and

WHEREAS, the Act provides an opportunity to focus on the changes needed to prepare Connecticut�s workforce for the rapidly changing and competitive economy of the 21^st Century, and

WHEREAS, that Act imposes certain duties upon the Governor and other state and local officials and entities;

NOW THEREFORE, I, John G. Rowland, Governor of the State of Connecticut, acting by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this state including Section 3-1 of the General Statutes, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT that:

1.	There is hereby established an Office for Workforce Competitiveness within the Office of Policy and Management. The head of the Office shall be a Director who shall be appointed by, and report directly to, the Governor.
2.	Mary Ann Hanley, is appointed as Director of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness.
3.	The Director shall:
	a.	Serve as the Governor�s principal Workforce Development Policy Advisor
	b.	Serve as liaison between the Governor and any local, state or federal organizations and entities with respect to workforce development matters, including implementation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998,
	c.	Serve as the governor�s designated chair of the Governor�s JOBS cabinet created by this order;
	d.	Coordinate the workforce development activities of all state agencies,
	e.	Coordinate the state�s implementation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and advise and assist the Governor with matters related to such Act.
	f.	Establish methods and procedures to ensure the maximum involvement of members of the public, the legislature, and local officials, in workforce development matters, including the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998,
	g.	Subject to the provisions of Chapter 67, appoint such officials and other employees as may be necessary for the discharge of the duties of the Office;
	h.	Enter into such contractual agreements, in accordance with established procedures, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this executive order;
	i.	Take any other action necessary to carry out this executive order.
4.	The Director is authorized to call upon any office, department, board, commission or other agency of the state to supply such reports, information and assistance as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out this order. Each officer or employee is authorized and directed to cooperate with the Director and to furnish such reports, information and assistance. The Director is authorized to draw upon officials from any state agency for temporary assignment to the Office of Workforce Competitiveness.
5.	(a) There shall be a Governor�s JOBS Cabinet which shall explore, identify and report on policies and actions necessary to ensure that Connecticut leads the nation in building a trained and employed workforce.
	(b) The JOBS Cabinet shall be chaired by the Governor, or his designee, the Director of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness and shall include:
	The Labor Commissioner The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development The Commissioner of Education The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management The Commissioner of Social Services The Chancellor of Community Technical Colleges
	(c) The JOBS Cabinet shall meet at least quarterly and shall present its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission.
6.	The JOBS Cabinet and the Director of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness are each authorized to apply for and accept grants, gifts, donations, or bequests from public and private sources for the purposes of this executive order.
7.	The Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, established pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-3h of the General Statutes shall, in addition to any other duties established by law, advise and assist the Governor and the Director of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness with respect to the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, including, but not limited to, the development of the State Plan, required by Section 112 of Such Act, and the designation of local areas, as required by Section 116 of such Act.
8.	This Order shall take effect immediately and shall be effective for five years from the date hereof.