Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board
"We can't find in one person all of the talents, skills, and experiences that the HWF team brings to the table. HWF increases our ability to develop and implement new solutions across broader workforce-related areas to match the changing economic demands associated with our rapid growth. Perfecting the ongoing consulting relationship with HWF proves to be one our best organizational assets."
- John Beauregard, Executive Director, Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board
The Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) coordinates workforce development policy and investments across a 41-town region that represents the state's fastest-growing labor market. The challenges confronting EWIB include labor supply shortages, job-skills mismatches, transportation barriers, and a lack of affordable housing.
EWIB retains HWF to provide a range of technical support including strategic planning, grant writing, data analysis, mapping, program evaluation, short-term project management, meeting facilitation, policy research, and preparation of external communications. EWIB Executive Director John Beauregard defines the project scope, places the order, and HWF assembles a qualified team to complete the task. This model fits well with Beauregard's management style and ability to determine when EWIB needs help from HWF.
Aided by its relationship with HWF, EWIB maintains a lean organizational staffing pattern and meets its organizational goal set by the Board to maximize the funding that "reaches the streets" in the form of direct services. Ultimately, the manner in which EWIB uses the HWF team helps EWIB meet or exceed its performance benchmarks and earn prestigious awards such as the first U.S. Department of Labor Recognition of Excellence Award.