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BACKGROUND
On
August 7, 1998, President Clinton signed the Workforce Investment
Act of 1998 (WIA).
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 US companies find skilled workers.
The
new law embodies seven key principles:
1.
Streamlining Services
Simplifying access to services through
the use of a One Stop Delivery System that coordinates and integrates
information and activities.
2. Empowering individuals
Giving eligible adults financial power
through Individual Training Accounts (ITA's), providing individuals
with greater levels of information and guidance, and empowering
people with guidance and support through the One Stop System.
3. Universal Access
Any individual will have access to the
One-Stop System and to core employment related services.
4. Increased Accountability
The act identifies core indicators of
performance that State and Local entities must meet.
5. Strong role for Local Workforce Investment Boards
Establishing local, business-led boards
with a private sector majority membership focusing on strategic
planning, policy development, and oversight of the local workforce
investment system.
6. State and Local flexibility
States and localities have increased
flexibility, with significant authority reserved for the Governor
and chief elected officials.
7. Improved Youth Programs
that are linked more closely to local
labor market needs and community youth programs and services,
and with strong connections between academic and occupational
learning.
The
success of the reformed workforce investment system is dependent
on the development of true partnerships and honest collaboration
at all levels and among all stakeholders.
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