Office of Public Affairs
Dallas, Texas

                                                         USDL-ETA-99-99-7-2
CONTACT: Diana Petterson or Beverly Sepulveda            FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
OFFICE:  (214) 767-4777 ext. 222 or ext. 221             Friday, July 2, 1999

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GIVES LOUISIANA GREEN LIGHT TO IMPLEMENT HISTORIC WORKFORCE INVESTMENT SYSTEM

Louisiana 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.

"Louisiana 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."

Louisiana is approved for transition to the Workforce Investment Act, and plans to implement on July 1, 2000. Louisiana will use its existing "One-Stop" service delivery system to offer workers universal access to services in person or through automated systems.

Louisiana is still building its state and local Workforce Investment Boards and developing comprehensive strategies for serving youth and for implementing Individual Training Accounts available to all eligible workers.

States have until July 1, 2000 to convert to the new system. The Workforce Investment Act:

• gives states and localities more authority to tailor programs to their local needs;
  
  
• continues to strengthen "One-Stop" service delivery offices to provide easy access to information on jobs and job training for all Americans;
  
  
• established Individual Training Accounts so people can make personal training choices, and;
  
  
• emphasizes jobs and job training for young people.

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