Office of Information Chicago Illinois EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION V-136 July 2, 1999 CONTACT: Brad Mitchell FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE OFFICE: 312-353-6976
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GIVES INDIANA GREEN LIGHT
TO IMPLEMENT HISTORIC WORKFORCE INVESTMENT SYSTEM
Indiana is one of nine states that have moved forward in starting a new approach to employment and training delivery services made possible by last year's passage of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The U.S. Department of Labor has authorized the state and eight others to begin to implement the new system, which replaces the Job Training Partnership Act.
"Indiana and the other eight states have taken the lead in creating the job training system of the future," Secretary Alexis M. Herman said. "Workers across the country will benefit from the changes as this new system is adopted nationwide."
Indiana has been authorized to transition to the new Act. It will transition adult and dislocated worker programs today and plans to transition its youth programs on April 1, 2000. The state will make a significant increase in investment in staff and services at its "One-Stop" delivery locations and plans to host a number of technical assistance and training sessions targeted to local Board members, elected officials and private sector partners.
A worker participant tracking system, to be jointly used by all partners, will be used by Indiana officials to track referrals, services received, and performance outcomes for each person who sets up an account in the tracking system upon entry into the one-stop centers.
States have until July 1, 2000 to convert to the new system. The Workforce Investment Act:
# # #