[Federal Register: August 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 156)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 49293-49342]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr11au00-7]

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Part II

Department of Labor

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Employment and Training Administration

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20 CFR Part 652 et al.

Workforce Investment Act; Final Rules

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

20 CFR Part 652 and Parts 660 through 671

RIN 1205-AB20

Workforce Investment Act

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor.

ACTION: Final rule.

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I. Background

A. WIA Principles

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  WIA reforms Federal job training programs and creates a new, comprehensive workforce investment system. The reformed system is intended to be customer-focused, to help Americans access the tools they need to manage their careers through information and high quality services, and to help U.S. companies find skilled workers. This new law embodies seven key principles. They are:

    - Streamlining services through better integration at the street level in the One-Stop delivery system. Programs and providers will co-locate, coordinate and integrate activities and information, so that the system as a whole is coherent and accessible for individuals and businesses alike.

    - Empowering individuals in several ways. First, eligible adults are given financial power to use Individual Training Accounts (ITA's) at qualified institutions. These ITA's supplement financial aid already available through other sources, or, if no other financial aid is available, they may pay for all the costs of training. Second,individuals are empowered with greater levels of information and guidance, through a system of consumer reports providing key information on the performance outcomes of training and education providers. Third, individuals are empowered through the advice,guidance, and support available through the One-Stop system, and the activities of One-Stop partners.

   - Universal access. Any individual will have access to the One-Stop system and to core employment-related services. Information about job vacancies, career options, student financial aid, relevant employment trends, and instruction on how to conduct a job search,write a resume, or interview with an employer is available to any job seeker in the U.S., or anyone who wants to advance his or her career.

   - Increased accountability. The goal of the Act is to increase employment, retention, and earnings of participants, and in doing so, improve the quality of the workforce to sustain economic growth, enhance productivity and competitiveness, and reduce welfare dependency. Consistent with this goal, the Act identifies core indicators of performance that State and local entities managing the workforce investment system must meet--or suffer sanctions. However,State and local entities exceeding the performance levels can receive incentive funds. Training providers and their programs also have to demonstrate successful performance to remain eligible to receive funds under the Act. And participants, with their ITA's, have the opportunity to make training choices based on program outcomes. To survive in the market, training providers must make accountability for performance and customer satisfaction a top priority.

    - Strong role for local workforce investment boards and the private sector, with local, business-led boards acting as ``boards of directors,'' focusing on strategic planning,policy development and oversight of the local workforce investment system. Business and labor have an immediate and direct stake in the quality of the workforce investment system. Their active involvement is critical to the provision of essential data on what skills are in demand, what jobs are available, what career fields are expanding, and the identification and development of programs that best meet local employer needs. Highly successful private industry councils under JTPA exhibit these characteristics now. Under WIA, this will become the norm.

    - State and local flexibility. States and localities have increased flexibility, with significant authority reserved for the Governor and chief elected officials, to build on existing reforms in order to implement innovative and comprehensive workforce investment systems tailored to meet the particular needs of local and regional labor markets.

    - Improved youth programs linked more closely to local labor market needs and community youth programs and services, and with strong connections between academic and occupational learning. Youth programs include activities that promote youth development and citizenship, such as leadership development through voluntary community service opportunities; adult mentoring and followup; and targeted opportunities for youth living in high poverty areas.

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