What is a MiRSA?

RSAs are partnerships formed to address workforce challenges such as worker shortages, skill shortages, training mismatches, employee recruitment and retention, and organizational design within a specific geographic area and industry.

·        RSAs seek to resolve systemic and structural problems by working at a multi-firm, industry-based level.

·        RSAs are regional in nature and reflect the local labor market. Participating firms draw on a regional labor pool of people who live and work in the region. 

·        RSAs engage relevant public and private stakeholders in collaborative problem-solving.

·        RSA stakeholders are brought together by a convener, an organization with expertise in the industry and credibility among partner entities.

·        While RSAs deal with workforce issues at all levels, many have an emphasis on workers or potential workers at the lower wage end of the industry and work to improve opportunities in those jobs as well as in jobs at higher levels in the career ladder. 

·        Sectors in which RSAs are formed are a significant part of the local economy, but they need not be the principal industry of the area.

The State of Michigan is promoting the formation of "MiRSAs" to help business and workers in Michigan improve their competitiveness and economic security.

How is an RSA formed?

Prior to the actual formation of an RSA, several future partners (including the convener) recognize that they share one or more common problems and begin to work together to resolve them.  An early step involves data gathering and analysis to clearly define the industry, its workforce, and the problem(s).  An RSA forms when key partners agree on a joint approach to solving workforce-related problems affecting their industry and region.  Important stakeholders recognize that their chances of success are greater if they work collectively.

What does an RSA do?

An RSA focuses on solving real and emerging workforce problems affecting businesses in a defined industry and region.  Partners establish a common understanding of the issue, work through potential solutions, ensure that linkages with relevant entities are in place, implement the solutions and periodically review progress toward their goals. 

Who are the partners?

RSAs are built around the workforce skill needs of businesses, so it is expected that a significant portion of the firms in the industry will be partners in the RSA.  Education is commonly represented through community colleges and other post-secondary providers (public and private).  The publicly funded workforce system (local Michigan Works! Agencies), economic development entities, chambers of commerce, industry and trade associations, organized labor, and community-based organizations are often partners in an RSA.  Depending on the nature of the problems being addressed, specialized entities such as local K-12 educational systems, transportation agencies, private foundations, and other public and private entities may be active partners.

What is a convener?

A convener is an entity with expertise in the issue area which also acts as an organizer of the alliance.  Conveners of the RSA should be key players in the community who have a role in solving the workforce needs in the industry and addressing the need for good jobs by community residents. 

What's different about MiRSAs?

RSAs seek to change the way in which key entities interact.  Two major features that distinguish the MiRSA approach from "business as usual" are: 

·        Businesses that are otherwise highly competitive collaborate to resolve workforce skill issues.  Examples of such collaboration could include the establishment of common job classifications and career ladders; pooling training needs and working with training providers to provide skills upgrading to workers from multiple firms; and addressing transportation, child care, and other issues which limit access to jobs by workers in some communities.  

·        Other entities that typically interact only infrequently come together to share information and increase the value they add to their activities.  

Is there an RSA model?

No single model exists for RSAs, and MiRSAs are collaborations that embody the principles outlined above.  The formation, goals, and operations of an RSA depend largely on the issues to be addressed and the partners that come together.  Although most RSAs share similar core features, each RSA is unique to the regional and industry conditions in which it is formed.  The MiRSA initiative draws from successful RSAs and RSA-like entities already in existence in Michigan and other states.   

How does an MiRSA get started?

Any of the potential partners can initiate the effort to form an MiRSA.  An industry association might recognize a need among its members.  The local workforce board could bring together key leaders in a sector to explore joint work.  A community college identifies an opportunity to work more closely within an industry.  Local economic developers form a working group in a key local industry.  A labor union initiates a conversation among firms in an industry.  A community-based organization sees an opportunity to connect at-risk workers to paths to better jobs.  A common first step is a needs assessment.  Gathering and analyzing information on the state of the industry helps to build a shared understanding of challenges and opportunities.  Most RSAs start small, and build over time.  They seek small but significant victories for their stakeholders, and build the partnership and strategies from there.

Who pays for the work of an MiRSA?

Initial costs for an MiRSA are usually shared among partners.  Actual costs depend on the early work that the MiRSA will do.  The largest cost is usually for the individual who convenes partners and manages the partnership.  An MiRSA grant will cover many of the startup costs.  However, MiRSAs are long-term partnerships, and these grants are not intended to cover costs over the longer term.  Partners should discuss funding from the outset.  Potential fund sources include member companies, user fees, and public funds that can be redirected to support proven MiRSA strategies.

Why form an MiRSA?

At present, most workforce development and economic development efforts are designed to deal with the circumstances and needs of individual workers and/or firms, one at a time.  Although this approach is generally effective in achieving positive results for individuals and firms, it is not efficient because the systemic problems remain even after the individual problem is resolved.  When all of the firms in a sector are dealing with the same workforce issue simultaneously, it is possible to reach a solution that is both better and more cost-effective by aggregating the needs and developing a joint approach to solving the problem on a systemic level.  For example, if the training needs of firms can be aggregated, employers can purchase customized training scheduled at a convenient time and offered at a lower cost.  If an industry is having trouble attracting and retaining employees, the partners can work together to develop career awareness programs, educational programs for new employees, career ladders and retention programs.  Employers who participate in RSAs tend to see the business climate as friendly and supportive, an important consideration in location decisions.