Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act

of 1998 (PL 105-220)

by

Chris Thompson, Ph.D.

Institute for Policy StudiesJohns Hopkins University

Presentation to the

Baltimore Jobs Opportunities Task Force(April 23, 2003)

Objectives of the Presentation

1. Review some intentions, achievements, and shortcomings, of WIA-1

2. Assign “grades” to major areas

3. Suggest improvements for WIA-2

WIA: the new workforce investment system for the ‘New Economy’

Core Principles:

• rationalization of govt services

• customer focus

• universal access

• work-first approach

• private employer involvement

• increased flexibility & accountability

WIA

In practice:

• from sub-populations to universal access

• employers & job-seekers as customers

• expanded one-stop systems

• seamless delivery

• new sequential client service stages: core - intensive - training;

WIA

In practice (continued):

• SDAs/PICs evolve into LWIAs/LWIBs

• HRICs/JTCCs evolve into SWIBs

• demand-driven state & local 5-year plans

• enhanced employment statistics, MIS, client tracking systems, outcomes-focused measures, & system accountability

• state as accountable performance unit

WIA

In practice (continued)

• enhanced consumer choice through ‘individual training accounts’ (ITAs)

• ‘eligible training provider’ (ETP) lists, performance measures, & standards

• youth councils

WIA

Formal implementation status:

• 23 “early” implementing states by 6/99

• TEGL 6/99 laid out performance measures

• 54 states/ territories/ outlying areas submitted state plans by Apr 1 2000

• negotiated modifications until Dec 2000

• Spring 2001, WIASRD-2 adopted

• 2003 is last funded year for WIA-1

And the grades, please..

ONE-STOP SYSTEMS: “A-”

+• functional

• integrated points for multiple services

• customer-focused

-• TANF agencies not

present in majority

• poor branding

• not overcome previous image

And the grades, please..

GOVERNANCE: “B”

+• LWIB/SWIB

structures established and functioning

• Employers present

• Done without lead from feds

-• Employers not fully

engaged• Lack of alignment• Lack of system-wide

performance measures• WIBs not asserting

oversight/approval

And the grades, please..

PERFORMANCE SYSTS: “D-”

+• good

intentions

• much focussed discussion

-• 2 yr delay in 5 yr Act• driven by DoL’s need to report

to Congress customer, not system management needs

• rear-view mirror, not dashboard• lack of system-wide

performance measures

And the grades, please..

TRAINING: “F”

+• forced

systematic construction of lists

-• institutional apathy• data system too onerous• territorial system incompatible

with e-learning providers• may have reduced, rather than

increased, choice of providers• ITA funds minimal, often come

from elsewhere

Suggested Top Ten Ways to Improve WIA-2 Over WIA-1

1. Expand demand-driven features

2. Incentives for human capital investment and lifelong learning

3. Promote system alignment

4. Transform image and culture

5. Engage educ and ED

6. Improve LMI for decision-making

7. Invest in technology to support decisions

8. Move to benchmarking and performance support

9. Shift to flexible funding

10. Emphasize value, make ‘the business case’

…but most of all:

$ $ $

Sources for further info

NGA (2000) Workforce Investment Act Implementation Matrix, http://www.nga.org/center/ divisions/1,1188,T_CEN_ESS^C_ISSUE_BRIEF^D_3748,00.html

NGA (2001) Transforming State Workforce Development Systems, http://www.nga.org/center/divisions/ 1,1188,T_CEN_ESS^C_ISSUE_BRIEF^D_2352,00.html

NGA (2002) A Governor’s Guide to Creating a 21st Century Workforce, http://www.nga.org/cda/files/AM02WORKFORCE.pdf

Nat Assoc of State Workforce Board Chairs (2002) The Competitive Challenge: Building a World-Class Workforce, http://www.nga.org/cda/files/BuildingWorldClassWorkforce.pdf