(Washington, DC) - The Mid-Atlantic Regional Collaborative, known as MARC, has launched an ambitious workforce development program aimed at responding to issues resulting from buildups or cutbacks at military installations in the region. The initiative kicked off with a luncheon at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC on October 23, 2008.
MARC will attempt to craft regional solutions to opportunities and challenges that arise from increases (or decreases) in personnel and construction at regional installations that were mandated by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decisions of the federal government. The entire region will face significant workforce transition challenges due to BRAC impacts in Virginia, Maryland and DC.
Leaders from among business, government, education, the military and the community will come together at the kickoff luncheon to celebrate this cutting edge partnership and to learn about the evolving program that the collaborative intends to pursue. More than one hundred people are expected to gather to participate in the launch.
BRAC decisions will impact numerous military installations in the tri-state region. Cognizant of the fact that many communities are not well prepared to address either buildups or cutbacks and suffer as a result, the three jurisdictions decided to work together to insure that our region remains competitive in a rapidly changing environment. In this regard, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia have formed a unique partnership to break new ground in building an even stronger workforce and regional economy.
The collaborative will serve to focus the efforts of all three jurisdictions to foster regional competitiveness, job growth and new opportunities. Specific services that MARC expects to provide to workers in Maryland, DC and Virginia include:
- Transitional One Stop Center
- Worker Exchange Program
- K-16 Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM)
- Job Spousal Re-Employment System
- Higher Education Consortium
- Labor Market Information
The MARC effort marries not only three political jurisdictions, but also key elements of the regional economy in a united effort to strengthen the regional workforce. Thanks to a grant from the United States Department of Labor, MARC will draw strength from the collective resources of state and local government, businesses, schools, colleges, universities and private educators, non-profit groups and other community interests. The Kickoff Event will serve as a rallying point to energize and unite these interests in support of a mutually beneficial agenda.
For further information, contact Michael Stevenson at (301) 974-9005 or mstevenson@dllr.state.md.us.