INFORMATIONAL BULLETINS (PY 2001)

IB 6 WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA) FOCUS GROUP

IB - #6




INFORMATION BULLETIN



TO: Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Members
Youth Policy Council Members
ACCESS One Stop Career Center System - Site Managers
Youth Collaborative – Site Managers
Mandated Partner Agencies

DATE: March 22, 2002

SUBJECT: Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Focus Group


Purpose of Bulletin:

The WIA provides local workforce areas the flexibility to implement procedures and definitions that best suit the needs of local communities. WIB staff is convening a focus group to facilitate a discussion and recommend local definitions for Certificates/Credential to the WIB Performance Accountability and Customer Service Committee applicable to the WIA Title IB Adult, Youth and Dislocated Worker programs.

Focus Group
Thursday, April 18, 2002
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Eden Area One Stop Career Center
24100 Amador St., Workshop Room 3
Hayward, CA 94545


Citation(s):

Workforce Investment Act Section 136
Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) NO. 7-99


Policy/Procedure/Definition:

At their March 14, 2002 meeting, the WIB approved a local process for the development of procedures and definitions to implement WIA Title I programs based on recommendations from the Performance Accountability and Customer Satisfaction committee. The Committee proposed the following guidelines, for staff:

1. Research, that includes an employer survey, to determine what industries and employers need and/or use in the way of credentials/certificates to determine skill proficiency.
2. Convene a Focus Group to:
A. Recommend standards for certificate of completion of work maturity, work ethic, and life skills curricula; and
B. Recommend work maturity, work ethic and life skills curricula.

A process for coordinated and timely development includes the following elements:

· WIB Staff will facilitate focus groups of the ACCESS One Stop Career Center System mandated partner agencies and other interested parties to facilitate a discussion on procedures and definitions required for implementation of services to customers, both job seeker and employers.

· WIB Staff will prepare written drafts of proposed procedures and definitions to be presented at the focus group. Staff will also solicit public comment.

· WIB Staff will prepare written procedures and definitions, including public comment, for approval by the Operations committee and the full WIB.

· Upon approval, WIB staff will prepare final Information Bulletins and Directives for implementation at the One Stop Career Centers.

· WIB Staff will regularly provide the WIB Board with Information Items regarding the procedures and definitions developed and implemented to date.

· WIB Staff will ensure that all procedures and definitions are consistent with the Act, Federal and State requirements, and Partner program mandates.

BACKGROUND:

Section 136 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) specifies core indicators of performance for workforce investment activities in adult, dislocated worker, and youth programs. The Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) NO. 7-99 published in March 2000 by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) outlines the performance measure for Credential Rate of Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Older Youth as follows:

Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment and Credential Rate
Of adults who received training services:
Number of adults who were employed in the first quarter after exit and who received a credential by the end of the third quarter after exit
Number of adults who exited services during the quarter.
The PY 2001/02 Performance Standard for Adults and Dislocated Workers is 40%.
Operational Parameters:
•Credentials can be obtained while a person is still participating in services and up to three quarters following exit.
Definitions:
Training Services - include WIA-funded and non-WIA funded partner-training services. These services include: occupational skills training, including training for non-traditional employment; on-the-job training; programs that combine workplace training with related instruction, which may include cooperative education programs; training programs operated by the private sector; skill upgrading and retraining; entrepreneurial training; job readiness training; adult education and literacy activities in combination with other training; and customized training conducted with a commitment by an employer or group of employers to employ an individual upon successful completion of the training.
Credential - nationally recognized degree or certificate or State/locally recognized credential. Credentials include, but are not limited to, a high school diploma, GED or other recognized equivalents, post-secondary degrees/certificates, recognized skill standards, and licensure or industry-recognized certificates. States should include all State Education Agency recognized credentials.
In addition, States should work with local Workforce Investment Boards to encourage certificates to recognize successful completion of the training services listed above that are designed to equip individuals to enter or re-enter employment, retain employment, or advance into better employment.
Rationale - To promote program integration and partner collaboration, this measure recognizes joint participation in WIA services and non-WIA funded training programs. It is considered a significant and necessary step toward building an integrated workforce; funded programs will be able to get credit for non-WIA funded training in addition to WIA funded training.
This measure includes all individuals who received training regardless of whether they had jobs at registration. It recognizes not only individuals who enter employment, but also incumbent workers, students and welfare-to-work participants, who have jobs or are placed in jobs, but continue receiving training services to attain more skills and better jobs.
Older Youth Credential Rate
Number of older youth who are in employment, post-secondary education, or advanced training in the first quarter after exit and received a credential by the end of the third quarter after exit
Number of older youth who exit during the quarter.

The PY 2001/02 Performance Standard for Older Youth is 42%.
Operational Parameters:
•For older youth, a credential can be coupled with employment, entry into post-secondary education, or entry into advanced training.
•All older youth exiters will be included in this measure.
•Credentials can be obtained while a person is still participating in services.

Information & Inquiries:

For information & inquiries please contact:

Linda Slater, MIS Manager at (510) 259-3842 or
email: "lslater@co.alameda.ca.us"