On July 30 and 31, 1998, the Senate and House, respectively, passed the conference agreement on the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (H.R. 1385, House Report 105-659), which rewrites federal statutes governing job training programs, adult education and literacy, and vocational rehabilitation. The Act is intended to provide a more coordinated, customer-friendly, locally-driven workforce development system. In many respects, it codifies the One-Stop Career Center system approach that has been underway in states for several years and supported, in part, by grants from the Department of Labor. President Clinton signed the bill on August 7, 1998 (Public Law 105-220). The bill repeals the Job Training Partnership Act (effective July 1, 2000), the Adult Education Act, and several other related job training program statutes.
State Workforce Investment Board
The bill establishes a State Workforce Investment Board for the District (also known as the "DC Workforce Investment Council" or DC WIC), composed of the Mayor, City Council members, representatives of business, individuals with youth activities experience, individuals with experience and expertise in the delivery of workforce investment activities (including chief executive officers of community colleges and community-based organizations), and Department of Employment Services officials, with responsibility for programs, services, and activities carried out by One-Stop partners.
In addition to having the responsibility of developing a Five-Year State Plan for submittal to the Secretary of Labor, the WIC advises the Mayor on developing the District of Columbia workforce investment system and the District of Columbia labor market information system, and assists the Mayor in reporting to the Secretary of Labor and monitoring the District-wide system.
Due to the District of Columbia's unique nature, the WIC serves as both the State and Local Board. In its role as the Local Workforce Investment Board, it also includes representatives of:
- Local educational institutions
- Labor organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Economic development agencies
- Each of the One-Stop partners
Functions at the local level include:
- Designation, certification, and oversight of One-Stop operators
- The provision of grants for youth activities
- Identification of eligible providers of intensive and training services
- Development and entry into memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with One-Stop partners
- Development budget
- Negotiation of local performance measures
- Program oversight and assistance in development of a District-wide employment statistics system
- Coordination of employer linkages with workforce investment activities
- Promotion of the participation of private employers with the District's workforce investment system
- Establishment of a Youth Council, intended to operate as a subgroup within the local board and is responsible for the selection and oversight of local youth programs
Five-Year Plan
The District has submitted a plan which outlines the five-year strategy for the District's workforce investment system, including activities under Wagner-Peyser. Among the areas included in the plan are a description of the state board, performance accountability, and District workforce and economic development information.
Because of its dual jurisdiction as both a local area and a state, the District's plan also includes descriptions of:
- Workforce investment and job skill needs of the Washington metropolitan area
- Present and planned One-Stop delivery system
- Local levels of performance
- Type and availability of Adult and Dislocated Worker employment and training activities
- Plans to coordinate District-wide rapid response activities
- Local youth activities
One-Stop Delivery Systems
The District already operates the One-Stop delivery system that the bill requires. Under WIA this system must provide Core Services (including Wagner-Peyser services) and access to Intensive Services and Training and related services.
At a minimum, Core Services include:
- Determinations of whether individuals are eligible to receive assistance
- Outreach, intake, and orientation
- Initial assessment of skill levels, aptitudes, abilities, and support service needs
- Job search and placement assistance, and career counseling
- Employment statistics, including job vacancy listings and information on necessary job skills
- Information relating to local "in demand" occupations and skill requirements for such occupations
- Information on eligible providers of training services, youth activities, adult education, postsecondary vocational education, and vocational rehabilitation program activities
- Information regarding how the District is performing on its local performance measures and any additional performance information with respect to the local One-Stop delivery system
- Information relating to the availability of supportive services, including child care and transportation, and referral to such service
- Information and assistance with the filing of claims for Unemployment Compensation
- Information regarding Welfare-to-Work activities in the District
- Information about programs of financial aid assistance for training and education programs that are not funded under the Act
- Follow-up services, including counseling regarding the workplace, for participants in workforce investment activities who are placed into unsubsidized employment, for not less than 12 months after the first day of the employment
Intensive services may include:
- Comprehensive and specialized assessments of the skill levels and service needs of adults and dislocated workers
- Development of an individual Employment
- Group counseling
- Individual counseling and career planning
- Case management services
- Short-term pre-vocational services, including development of learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct
Individual Training Accounts
Individual Training Accounts are established for participants on an "as needed" basis. Individuals may apply for training at eligible institutions of their choice, provided the participant meets certain eligibility requirements for training.
Identification of Eligible Training Providers
The DC WIC is authorized to identify providers of training services based upon minimum criteria established by the Mayor. To be eligible, providers submit an application to the Council that includes performance and cost information. The WIC transmits the list of the providers it has approved to the DC Department of Employment Services, which maintains the list and may remove a provider if it fails to meet minimum levels of performance.
A customer with an Individual Training Account (ITA) may use any provider on the state list. A program operated under Title IV and apprenticeship programs (registered with the National Apprenticeship Act) are automatically eligible for the first year, and may remain on the approved list unless they fail to meet the specified performance levels.
Use of Youth Funds
The bill requires programs providing youth activities to include elements such as:
- Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to completion of secondary school (including dropout prevention strategies) or alternative secondary school services
- Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning
- Paid and unpaid work experiences as appropriate (including internships and job shadowing)
- Occupational skills training
- Leadership development opportunities
- Supportive services
- Adult mentoring
- Follow-up services
- Comprehensive guidance and counseling (which may include drug and alcohol abuse counseling and referral)
At least 30 percent of youth funds must be used to provide services to out-of-school youth. The District has also received special funding under a Youth Opportunity Grant to provide services to youth in high-poverty areas.
Performance Accountability System
The bill establishes indicators of performance for all adult, dislocated-worker, and youth programs. There are four core indicators relating to adult and dislocated worker programs:
- Job placement
- Job retention
- Earnings achieved
- Skills attainment
There are three core indicators relating to the youth program:
- Basic/occupational skills attainment
- Achievement of high school diploma and placement/retention in postsecondary education
- Advanced training or employment
The Secretary of Labor is required to negotiate the expected levels of performance for each indicator with the District, taking into account special economic and demographic factors. Technical assistance, sanctions, and incentive funds are tied to actual performance.
Job Corps
The bill retains Job Corps as a national program, but strengthens linkages among Job Corps centers and the local communities in which they are located. The bill assures that applicants are assigned to Job Corps centers nearest to where they reside, and will learn occupational skills in demand in their neighborhoods. Job Corps Center performance standards are established for placement, retention, earning, and skill gains of graduates, and students will be provided with follow-up counseling for up to 12 months after graduation.
Veterans
The bill retains the current law, which authorizes the Secretary of Labor to conduct programs to meet the needs of Vietnam-era veterans, veterans with service-connected disabilities, and veterans who are recently separated from military service. The bill broadens the eligibility provision in the JTPA Title IV-C program to add veterans with significant barriers to employment and veterans who served on active duty during a war or campaign for which badges have been authorized.
Title II: Adult Education and Family Literacy Programs
This title includes changes to the Adult Education and Family Literacy Programs, which are intended to assist adults in becoming literate and obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency, assist adults who are parents to obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children, and assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education.
Title III: Workforce Investment-Related Activities
The bill retains a separate authorization and funding stream for Wagner-Peyser (Job Service). However, the bill requires Job Service activities to be part of the One-Stop system, and integrates the Wagner-Peyser plan into the state workforce development plan. Several sections of the Wagner-Peyser Act are amended to ensure its integration within the workforce development system.
The employment statistics section spells out a comprehensive employment statistics program. The Secretary of Labor is responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of a nationwide employment statistics system.
Title IV: Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998
This title includes amendments to the Rehabilitation Act and other related programs and services, and requires that there be linkages between programs under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Title V: General Provisions
The bill allows the District to submit a unified plan to the Secretary of Labor to fulfill the state plan requirements of training activities for adults, dislocated workers, and youth; adult education; and secondary and postsecondary vocational education.
