ERIC Number: ED457343
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2001-Oct
Pages: 62
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Workforce Investment Act: Better Guidance Needed To Address Concerns over New Requirements. Report to Congressional Requesters.
Nilsen, Sigurd R.
In an effort to assess what progress states and localities are making in implementation of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, a study identified three issues of particular concern: (1) mandatory partners' participation in the one-stops; (2) job seekers' ability to receive enhanced choices for training; and (3) private-sector participation on workforce boards. Information was collected through interviews with officials of the Departments of Labor, Education, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development, officials from national associations representing implementers, site visits to nine one-stop employment service centers in three states, and a symposium of stakeholders. The study found, first, that although mandatory partners are attempting to participate in the one-stops, program or financial concerns are affecting their level of participation and their ability to fully integrate their services at the one-stops. Second, the partners found the data collection requirements of the legislation difficult and costly. Finally, the private-sector partners were concerned about the operation of the workforce investment boards on which they were supposed to be represented. The study recommends that the responsible federal agencies work together to provide more effective guidance on how to address the specific concerns identified by state and local implementers and that Congress provide more time for training providers. Appended are: Presence of Partners at Nine One-Stops and Method of Core Service Provision and Respective Comments from the Departments of Labor, Education, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgements. (KC)
Descriptors: Adults, Agency Cooperation, Career Centers, Compliance (Legal), Employment Programs, Federal Legislation, Federal Programs, Federal State Relationship, Government Role, Institutional Cooperation, Job Placement, Job Training, Labor Legislation, Private Sector, Program Evaluation, Program Implementation, Program Improvement, Recordkeeping, State Programs
U.S. General Accounting Office, P.O. Box 37050, Washington, DC 20013 (first copy free; additional copies $2 each; 100 or more, 25% discount). Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov. For full text: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0272.pdf.
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC.
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Workforce Investment Act 1998
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A