Office of Public Affairs
Dallas, Texas

USDL-ETA-99-100-7-2
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 TEXAS GREEN LIGHT TO IMPLEMENT HISTORIC WORKFORCE INVESTMENT SYSTEM

Texas 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. 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.

"Texas and the other eight states have taken the lead in creating the job training system of the future," Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman said. "Workers across the country will benefit from the changes as this new system is adopted nationwide."

Texas has been authorized to transition to the Workforce Investment Act, and plans to implement all components of the Act today with the exception of programs in two local areas: Hidalgo-Willacy and Northeast Texas, which are expected to become operational under the new Act by the end of this year.

Texas will provide services through its strong network of 102 "One-Stop" service delivery centers which provide a full array of employment and training services. The state has an automated system, TWIST, that will connect workers to available services.

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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