ACTION BULLETINS (PY 2004)

AB - 50 Customized Training/Incumbent Training Program Policy

AB - # 50

Effective Date: March 10, 2005



ACTION BULLETIN




TO: One-Stop Career Center Site Managers

DATE: March 16, 2005

SUBJECT: Customized Training/Incumbent Training Program Policy


Purpose of Bulletin:

The Workforce Investment Act provides for the local Workforce Investment Board to establish policies and procedures for customized and upgrade training. On March 10, 2005 the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) approved revised Customized Training/Incumbent Worker Training Program Policies as recommended by Economic Development and Employer Services
Committee (EDES).

These policies are being transmitted to the One-Stop Career Centers for immediate implementation.

BACKGROUND:

In the fall of 2000, the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board approved local customized training policies.

During the fall of 2004, the Business Services Representatives met with ACWIB staff to review the policies. It was decided that it was time to update the existing policies to incorporate what has been learned in the intervening years. The Alameda County Workforce Investment Board approved the policy on Thursday March 10, 2005.

ACTION

These policies are being transmitted to the One-Stop Career Centers and should be distributed to the Employer Service Representatives for immediate implementation.



WIA FORMULA FUNDS
CUSTOMIZED TRAINING/INCUMBENT TRAINING PROGRAM

POLICY

The ACWIB Executive Director may provide waivers to these policies on a case-by-case basis.

Since some employers overlap Workforce Investment Board (WIB) jurisdictions, training activities should be developed regionally by involving the other three WIBs in the EASTBAY Works area as appropriate.

Project Focus:

A business must meet at least one of the following criteria to be considered:

1. A business that proposes an upgrade in employee skills
2. A business that proposes an increase in employee skills and wages
3. A business that proposes training in portable skills
4. A business that is the focus of business retention efforts

Performance Outcomes:

1. Employee Related Outcome Measures
· Increases skill levels of trained workers
· Increases wage levels of trained workers
2. Employer Related Outcome Measures
· Averts a layoff or loss of jobs
· Lowers employee turnover
· Increases the profitability of the business
· Enhances the competitiveness of the business
· Avoids business relocation or consolidation that results in a loss of local jobs

Allowable Activities:

1. Occupational skills training that is designed to meet the special requirements of a business or a group of businesses and is conducted with employer commitment to hire or continue to employ all trained individuals upon successful completion of the training.
2. Educational training, including workplace literacy, basic skills, "soft" skills, and English as a second language. An applicant must demonstrate the effect of the training on business operations and identify the transferable skills acquired by employees.
3. An assessment devise under the Customized/Incumbent Workforce Development Program, if the assessment leads to new or incumbent workers being trained within the project, is allowable. However, an assessment device in-and-of-itself is not allowable.

Requirements for the business:

1. The entity must be a business.

2. Not-for-profit businesses that are engaged in commerce are eligible. They must generate revenue and provide tangible services within a market and reinvest any profit back into the business.

3. The emphasis will be on making customized training investments in high growth/high value industries and sectors.

4. A maximum funding level for a business would be $37,500 of WIA formula contribution (total for all grants in one program year).

5. A lifetime maximum for a business would be $50,000 total WIA formula contribution.

6. The business facility where the employees are to be trained must be located in the Alameda County Workforce Investment Area.

7. Businesses must be stable as illustrated by the fact that they have been operating in the Alameda County Workforce Investment Area during the entire 12 month period immediately proceeding the date of application.

8. The business must be current on all state, county, city and local tax obligations.

9. Waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis depending on the merit and scope of the project.

Requirements for the employees:

1. Training would be provided to new hires or incumbent workforce.

2. Training would be provided for full-time employees as defined by the industry.

3. Employees must be considered permanent as defined by the industry.

3. Funds awarded for a project will be expended on program activities for the Alameda County Workforce Investment Area and employees trained will work in the Alameda County Workforce Investment Area upon completion of training.

4. Employees must meet all the WIA formula funds eligibility requirements of the Alameda County Workforce Investment Area.

5. There will be the ability to serve employees who have not been enrolled into WIA and are not case managed (Universal Services vs. Intensive Services).

Entities not Eligible to Apply:

1. A business currently receiving training funds, either directly or indirectly, from the Department of Labor (DOL) or the State of California unless those training funds do not duplicate the training efforts outlined in the project application
2. A business that has received funds either directly or indirectly from the State of California government under any previous training initiative, and the terms of the agreement for training have not been met or completed
3. A training provider
4. A labor union
5. A governmental entity
6. Local Area administrative entity or grant recipient, or subsidiary of the Local Area entity
7. Community-based organizations
8. Educational institutions