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VI. Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment and Training Activities

VI. A. Provide a description and assessment of the type and availability of adult and dislocated worker employment and training activities in your area.

VI. A. 1. Describe how the One-Stop delivery system is central to the delivery of services.

The One Stop is the initial point of access for information about local workforce resources and for core, intensive and training services. Users of the one stop system include the unemployed, workers, and businesses. There are no eligibility requirements for the use of core services, so unemployed and working users may include welfare recipients, underemployed workers, and full-time employed workers ranging from production staff to managers and executives.

Businesses will be able to use the Center for posting of job announcements, interviewing clients, and can work with staff to develop specialized screening tools and customized training.

Staff will work closely with businesses to learn about new and emerging employment opportunities, as well as occupational trends and needs that may be potentially addressable through training.

The One Stop brings together a number of local organizations to participate in the delivery of core services.

WIA partners will participate in the delivery of services at the comprehensive One Stop. This will bring the client in touch with Job Service's Automated labor Exchange, the Occupational Information System, and Job Matching, as well as access to testing tools such as the Test of Adult Basic Education and Self Directed Search Interest Inventory. Most partners will perform eligibility for their own programs at the One Stop, and all partners will share job leads and general information.

Clients, including businesses, will be able to access information about training opportunities available in the area. The following pages discuss in more detail specific services available, as well as the progression from core to intensive to training services.

Additional information about the One Stop system and its components may be found in Chapter IV.

VI. A. 2. Describe the Core Services and how they will be provided to all adults and dislocated workers including coordination with Wagner- Peyser activities.

When a person enters a One-Stop Center, he/she is asked to sign in. During the first visit, the person fills out a simple application. This application is simply a survey or inventory of what the worker thinks s/he needs. It helps the worker by showing what may be potentially available. It helps the One Stop by showing that individual's specific need, and what all job seekers in general need the most.

Orientation

During the first visit the person is given a quick tour of the One-Stop and a quick overview of how to use the self-help resources. Lists of different programs available through the One-Stop system and some methods of self-screening for those programs as well as a list of resource people to contact for specific questions about programs and eligibility are also available. Workshops and group eligibility sessions are posted on bulletin boards.

Library/Resource Room
Each Center has a library that carries local newspapers as well as periodicals from various industries. Books may be checked out for a week if by showing a Tucson/Pima County Library Card. Notebooks labeled "Job Leads" containing recent job announcements can be found in the Resource Library. Job leads are also posted on prominent bulletin boards.

Workers will also find information about bus routes, childcare resources, and other pertinent job related information.

Statistics regarding local, state, and national occupations in demand can be found in the library. Books and handbooks describe skill sets and skill levels generally expected for applicants for various positions, as well as salary ranges for selected occupations.

Fax and Phone Room
The fax and the phone room are to be used for employment seeking activities. Long distance calls must be logged on the clipboard by each phone.

Equipment
The copier can be used to photocopy materials to aid you in your job search, such as job leads and resumes and cover letters you send to employers. A person may copy job search related articles from magazines and books, but may not make more than one copy of copy written materials. Each One-Stop site has computers set aside for client use. Some computers in each building have Internet capability. Clients can use these computers at any time, but if they are busy clients will be asked to schedule time to use them. The regular computers may be used to type up resumes, cover letters and other job search related materials.

Job Service (Wagner-Peyser)
Job Service staff and ALEX (Automated Labor Exchange) are available at the central One Stop, and may be available at other centers.

Intake/Eligibility
Staff helps determine if clients are eligible for further services, such as intensive or training services. Staff also helps with applications for Unemployment Insurance, Welfare to Work, and other programs.

Initial Assessment of skill levels, aptitudes, abilities and supportive service needs.
Any client may request an evaluation of his/her strengths and potential barriers to employment. S/he may sign up for group testing of academic levels, and a test to help determine which employment field(s) complements his/her abilities and interests.

Job Search, Placement Assistance, and Career Counseling.
Some Centers have Job Clubs that review current job openings and local employment trends. These Clubs are an excellent vehicle to review current opportunities, interact with a job developer who is working with employers, and also obtain feedback from peers about local employers and opportunities.

Training Opportunities
Instructions on how to access information on local training opportunities via computer and also on paper is available.

Performance information
Quarterly information on the performance of this program as well as other programs that are represented through the One-Stop will be available.

Follow-up Services
Clients are encouraged to continue using our services after they are placed on a job. One Center is open most Saturday mornings.

VI. A. 3. Describe the Intensive Services and how they will be provided to adults and dislocated workers who qualify.

Intensive services will be provided to adults and dislocated workers who:

• Are unemployed, have received at least one core service, are unable to obtain employment through core services and are determined by the one stop to be in need of more intensive services in order to obtain employment
• Are employed, have received at least one core service and are determined by the One Stop to need intensive services in order to obtain or retain employment that leads to self-sufficiency.

Intensive Services:

A. Comprehensive and specialized assessment of the skill level and needs of adults and dislocated workers including: Diagnostic testing and other assessment tools; In-depth interviewing and evaluation to identify employment barriers and appropriate employment goals. Tools applied to most adults include the Test of Adult Basic Education, the Self Directed Search (an interest inventory). Some persons are administered the Myers Briggs Type Personality Indicator. Where necessary the person is referred for more intensive assessment to determine adaptive needs. A Career Counselor meets with the client to interpret results.

B. Development of an individual employment plan that identifies employment goals, appropriate milestone objectives, and an appropriate combination of services for the participant to achieve employment goals. This plan is a combined effort of client and case manager. It provides the client with a roadmap to employment and may be updated as new barriers arise and particular milestones are completed.

C. Group Counseling is often conducted through a Job club, where staff and employers identify specific behaviors associated with obtaining and retaining employment. Group Counseling can also be conducted for supportive services needs, particularly in layoff situations where large numbers of persons need to receive information.

D. Individual counseling and career planning is designed to help a person make self-styled choices leading to optimal obtainment and retainment of employment.

E. Case management for participants seeking training services focuses on removing barriers, including access to information, support services, and guidance in selecting career options.

F. Short-term prevocational services, including development of learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills and professional conduct, to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment or training.

G. Specialized workshops focus on specific skills such as: Resume writing, The hidden job market, Interviewing, Applications, Transferrable Skills, Networking, Retention, Learning to Learn.

VI. A. 4. Describe Training Services and how they will be provided to adults and dislocated workers who have met eligibility requirements.

Who is eligible
Training services may be available to employed and unemployed adults and dislocated workers, including displaced homemakers, who have met eligibility requirements for intensive services, have received at least one intensive service and have unable to obtain or retain employment through such service; after an interview, evaluation, or assessment and case management, have been determined by the One Stop to be in need of training services and have the skills and qualifications to successfully complete the training program; selects a program linked to local employment opportunities; cannot obtain assistance from other sources and are eligible through any priority system in effect.

Types of Training
Training can be classroom vocational training, on-the-job training (training whereby the employee is hired by an employer and the One Stop system provides a partial wage subsidy while the person is in a training phase), entrepreneurial training, or customized training.

Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) are used for persons referred by the One Stop system to classroom vocational training providers. The Workforce Investment Board is working with the State Department of Education's Comprehensive Workforce Unit to develop a list of local training institutions that will have programs eligible for Individual Training Accounts. At the end of JTPA we have contracts and agreements with the following local trainers:

Arizona Institute of Business and Technology
Apollo College
Arizona Institute of Interior Design
The Art Center
Brodsky School of Real Estate
Chapman University
Chaparral Career College
DRA Training Software Center
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Environmental Training Center
Executrain of Tucson
Highway Distribution Services
Hogan School of Real Estate
Ikon Education Services
Institute of Word Processing
Learning Plus
MicroAge Computer Skills Institute
New Horizons Computer Learning Center
National Technical Institute
Northern Arizona University (Tucson Campus)
Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Program
Parks College
Pima Community College
Pima County Adult Education
Pima Medical Institute
Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship
Prescott College (Tucson Campus)
Professional Solutions
SER- Jobs for Progress
Southern Arizona Carpenters Apprenticeship
Tucson College
Tucson Institute of Court Reporting
Tucson Urban League
University of Arizona
University of Arizona Extended University
University of Phoenix
Western Truck School
TETRA Corporation
Catholic Community Services

VI.B. Describe your local The Local ITA System

The One Stop system will maintain a Request for Qualified Vendor process that potential trainers can respond to at any time. These entities will submit state or locally established curriculum information and performance data on each training program under consideration. This process will be designed to complement processes established by the State. In addition to required performance, the Board may consider skills and jobs in demand, career paths, length of program, cost of training compared to funding available through the ITA, local economic geographic and demographic factors, and characteristics of the populations served by providers.

Each spring the Board will submit a list of recommended providers to the State board. Names of selected training providers will be forwarded to the designated state agency for certification resulting in contracts for placement on the state-approved list. The state will contact Pima County concerning any problems or issues with requested training providers and/or programs. The list of local training providers and programs will be available to consumers through the One Stop system, including CSD's website.

Training Provider Performance Standards

Under WIA, each provider of training services will be required to meet performance standards for programs it wishes to offer to WIA participants. Potential providers will be expected to provide this information when applying for first year certification, with the exception of apprenticeship programs and community colleges (which must present data prior to the beginning of the second year of WIA.

Each training provider must provide verifiable program-specific information about:

1. the completion rates for all individuals who have gone through the program
2. the percentage who were in the program who obtain unsubsidized employment
3. the wage at placement of all individuals who were in the applicable program.

Each provider must submit, for persons who received assistance as adults or dislocated workers under WIA:

1. the percent of participants who completed and were placed in unsubsidized placement
2. the six month job retention rates of participants in each program
3. wages received by participants six months after job placement
4. applicable rates of licensures, certification or awarding of degrees or other skill attainment measures.

Participant Process Participants eligible for and interested in training shall be assessed for academic functional levels, interests, compatibility, and personal factors. Personal factors include cash flow needed to support the family while in training, childcare needs, and transportation needs. Initial options provided to participants shall include on-the-job training contracts and opportunities, customized training opportunities currently available, and vocational training programs that have adequate performance and offer jobs in demand occupations. Participants shall be told up front how much money is available for their training.

If vocational classroom training is the best option, participant reviews available training information, including course descriptions, outcome, and cost data.

Each participant is then asked to interview three people who work in the occupation s/he is considering entering. One of the three must be a person who hires into the occupation. Interviews may not be conducted with any staff of the One-Stop system, training institutions, or community based organizations on contract. (This process may be waived in situations where it is a hardship for the client).

The participant is then asked to visit at least three local providers of the training s/he is considering. The participant visits each site and then informs the One-Stop of his/her selection. The training vendor shall bill the One-Stop for payment. The participant is expected to meet with a One-Stop Case Manager monthly to review progress. If progress is not satisfactory the One-Stop reserves the right to suspend or terminate the training and refer the person to intensive job development serves, or, in case of medical hardship, to suspend training until the hardship is resolved.

VI. B. 1. Describe the procedures for ensuring that exceptions to the use of ITAs, if any, are justified.

The Pima County Workforce Investment Board reserves the right to write training contracts for exceptions to the ITA allowed under WIA:

1. on-the job training contracts
2. customized training
3. entrepreneurial training; and/or
4. a training program of demonstrated effectiveness offered in the local area by a community-based organization or private organization to serve special participant populations that face multiple barriers to employment. Examples of barriers the Board may determine require specialized providers include: individuals with substantial language or cultural barriers; offenders; homeless individuals; and other priority populations described in VI.C.3.

Selection of trainers to be used for exceptions to ITA will be obtained through a competitive RFP or RFQ process, except in the case of On-the-Job-Training, which will be conducted on a case by case basis.

VI. B. 2. Describe any limitations placed on ITAs by the LWIB.

The Board shall review available funds and set limits on the amount of funds available for individual accounts each Spring during the annual budget process.

VI. B. 3. Describe any local processes to be used to monitor ITA providers and remove them from the ITA list if they should fail to perform.

The local Board will monitor, review, and evaluate training provider performance and make recommendations, if necessary, to the state to "delist" a training provider or program. In addition to performance data, the local Board may recommend delisting because of training provider inability to deliver quality training, or intentionally delivered inaccurate performance information.

The designated state agency will monitor provider performance, and provide customer surveys to additional feedback to be forward to Pima County. Should sanction be required, the state may choose to place a "hold" on the provider's contract and remove the provider from the list.

Monitoring is done through two methods. First, the formal monitoring process shall include receipt of the provider's performance data and an on-site inspection of facilities. Informal monitoring is provided by case managers who receive feedback from participants and conduct on-site staffings with participants and instructors.

VI. C. Describe the "Most-In-Need" policy which will outline the use of adult funds for the three tiers of services.

It is the policy of the Pima County Workforce Investment Board to assign priorities for services if funds are limited. Priorities are based on federal and state directive, as well as community needs. The Board reserves the right to establish a point system or another means of establishing priorities.

VI. C. 1. Projected Numbers of Adults and Dislocated Workers to be served using the following chart.

Dislocated workers are persons who are layed off from occupations or industries in decline. Generally this occurs through a business closure or major layoff. During a growing or stable economy, dislocations may impact 1% or less of workers (about 3,500 wage earners in Pima County). As the economy slows, the number of dislocations rises, increasing the number of dislocated workers. Each one percent rise in unemployment could potentially translate into 3,500 dislocated workers. In reality, up to half of these potentially dislocated workers can often obtain employment through core services (through the One Stop or through other programs) or through simple networking with friends. Dislocated workers who have out-dated skills, lower academic levels, or have worked for the same employer for so long they have forgotten the basics of job seeking and interviewing, require the most concentrated resources.

Traditional federally funded adult workforce programs have targeted the economically disadvantaged who are unemployed. The Department of Economic Security projects 78,535 Pima County adults ages 18-64 will live in poverty in the year 2000. These include about 6,000 heads of household on welfare as well as many working poor. The number of unemployed in Pima County currently varies 13,000 to 15,000.

WIA offers a system for all members of the civilian labor force, whether they are employed or unemployed. While many people will be able to access information via the internet, those that access intensive and training services will be more limited.

Preliminary estimate for intensive and training services:

This plan shall be administratively revised upon receipt of funding allocations from the state.

VI. C.2. Describe how Low-Income and Public Assistance Recipients will be given priority in determining eligibility for intensive services and training services using WIA adult funds.

In the event that funding shortfalls necessitate limiting intensive services and training services, the following priorities shall be in effect:

1. Public Assistance Recipients whose needs are not met or not fully met by JOBS or Welfare to Work
2. Other Low-Income Individuals
3. Other populations that may be designated by the Workforce Investment Board.

VI. C. 3. Describe how the following segments of the population, other than low-income adults and public assistance recipients who must be given priority by law, will be served within the One Stop delivery system.

1)Older workers: As part of the One Stop system, Title V of the Older Americans Act shall develop opportunities for older workers and act as an advocate in the employment community for older workers.

2) Displaced Homemakers: The One Stop's non-traditional employment for women program will work with the PHASE program to identify and assist displaced homemakers in obtaining gainful employment.

3) Individuals with multiple barriers to employment: the intake systems will have built in controls to help case managers identify person with more than one barrier, so that necessary resources can be identified.

4) Veterans: The State operated veteran's program is a required one stop partner and acts as an advocate for the training needs of individual veterans.

5) Individuals with disabilities: The state's Rehabilitation Services program is a required one stop partner and acts as advocate for this population.

6) Any other identified populations within the local area: The local area may provide service to persons of Limited English Speaking Ability and persons who have not graduated from high school, or those who have graduated from high school but who no long function at the high school level.

In general, the One Stop will work with local providers, regardless of funding source, to identify members of targeted populations and link together to match people with local resources.