DCWIB

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Overview of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

Purpose: The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 (Public Law 105-220) provides the framework for a unique national workforce preparation and employment system designed to meet both the need of the nation’s businesses and the needs of job seekers and those who want to further their careers.

The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) was repealed effective July 1, 2000.

Responsibilities:

Training and employment programs must be designed and managed at the local level;
Customers must be able to conveniently access the services they need at a single location;
Customers should have choices in deciding the training program that best fits their needs and the organizations that will provide the service;
Customers have a right to information about how well training providers succeed at preparing people for jobs;
Businesses will provide information, leadership, and play an active role in ensuring that the system prepares people for current and future jobs.

Accountability: WIA establishes measures relating to customer satisfaction of both job seekers and employers. Measures include-

For adults and dislocated workers-rates of entry into unsubsidized employment, job retention, post-placement earnings, and acquired education and skill standards for those who obtain employment;
For older youth (19-21) all of the above, plus attainment of a high school diploma (or its equivalent)
For younger youth (14-18) – rates of basic skills and work readiness or occupational skills attainment, attainment of a high school diploma (or its equivalent), and placement and retention in postsecondary education, advanced occupational training, apprenticeships, the military, or employment

Services: WIA specifies three funding streams – adults, dislocated workers, and youth – with differing requirement for services to customers.

Adults and Dislocated Workers receive “core” services for which there are no eligibility requirements and “intensive” services for unemployed individuals who are not able to find jobs through core services alone.

Core services include job search and placement assistance (career counseling); labor market information (which identifies job vacancies, skills needed for in-demand jobs, and local, regional and national employment trends); initial assessment of skills and needs; information about available services; and some follow-up services to help customers keep jobs once placed.
Intensive services include more comprehensive assessments; development of individual employment plans; group and individual counseling; case management; and short-term pre-vocational services.
Training services are available when core and intensive services have not led to job placement. Training services include occupational skills training; on-the-job training; entrepreneurial training; and adult education and literacy activities that are directly linked to job opportunities in the local area.
Supportive services such as transportation and the provision of temporary income are available for recipients of public assistance and low-income customers

Youth who are low-income ages 14 through 21, receive services that include tutoring; study skills training and instruction leading to completion of secondary school; alternative school services; mentoring; paid and unpaid work experience; occupational skills training; leadership development; and appropriate supportive services. Youth also receive guidance counseling and follow-up services for at least one year, as needed. Programs must provide summer employment opportunities linked to academic and occupational learning. A separate appropriation is not authorized for summer program.

At least 30% of local youth funds must help those who are not in school;
Up to 5% of local youth assisted can be youth who are not low-income, if they face one or more barriers to school completion or employment.

Eligible Training: Training services are available when core and intensive services have not led to job placement. Training services include occupational skills training; on-the-job training; entrepreneurial training; skill upgrading; job readiness training; and adult education and literacy activities that are directly linked to job opportunities in the local area

For adults and dislocated workers, WIA requires the use of Individual Training Accounts (ITA’s) through which a customer chooses among qualified providers
Contracts for training can only be used for: on-the-job training and customized training; where there is an insufficient number of training providers; or where programs serve special participant groups that face multiple barriers to employment.
All training providers must submit annual specified performance-based information relating to the outcomes of their students (completion rates, placement, and earnings). To remain eligible, training providers must meet or exceed minimum levels of performance established by the local and state WIBs.

WIA Statute:

Title I: authorizes the new Workforce Investment System

Title II: reauthorizes Adult Education and Literacy programs for Fiscal Years 1999-2003

Title III: amends the Wagner-Peyser Act to require that Employment Service/Job Service activities become part of the One-Stop system and establishes a national employment statistics initiative.

Title IV: reauthorizes Rehabilitation Act programs through Fiscal Year 2003 and links these programs to state and local workforce development systems

Title V: contains general provisions that include incentive grants to states, Adult Edcuation Act, Perkins Vocational Education Act, and transition provisions.

Federal Register

For the latest information on WIA and Employment and Training programs visit the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration website

The programs provided by this agency are partially funded by moneys received from the County of Dutchess and federal WIA funds
EOE/P auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities

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