EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING ADMINISTRATION                     BOS 99-123
CONTACT: John M. Chavez                                  FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
OFFICE:  312-353-6976                                    Thursday, July 1, 1999

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

Vermont 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.

"Vermont 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."

Vermont's state plan has been authorized for full implementation starting today. All core services, most intensive services, access to training services, and the WIA youth system will be operated out of the "One-Stop" service delivery system.

Vermont intends to dramatically re-engineer its youth services, moving the youth program from one with a primary focus on summer employment opportunities to longer-term interventions for the most vulnerable young people.

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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