Office of Information                                  Chicago Illinois
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION                 V-137     July 2, 1999
CONTACT: Brad Mitchell                                 FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
OFFICE:  312-353-6976                                     

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

Wisconsin 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.

"Wisconsin 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."

Wisconsin has been authorized to begin transition to the Workforce Investment Act, and intends to have its State Workforce Investment Board in place by August and its local Boards in place by September 1. To deliver services to workers, the state intends to build on its existing "One-Stop" service delivery centers.

Wisconsin will submit plans for, and begin implementing, all other facets of the Act between now and July 1, 2000. It is also making technical assistance available to educate private sector employers on the Workforce Investment Act's opportunities.

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;
• establishes Individual Training Accounts so people can make personal training choices, and;
• emphasizes jobs and job training for young people.

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