Workforce Brief
The WIA Mission
!In 1998, Congress passed the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to create a system of One>Stop Career Center locations that would provide universal access to employment and training services for a wide range of workers, including adults, low-income youth, and dislocated workers.
Description
Report Author: The California EDGE Coalition
Date: August 2011
Website: www.californiaedgecoalition.org
This installment of the Workforce Brief Series titled “WIA – Workforce Investment Act” describes the federally-funded system that establishes career centers and business-led workforce boards across the country. To learn more, download the full text of the article here.
Funding
California received about $400 million in federal WIA funds in 2011-12. The total is a sharp reduction from the WIA funds received in recent years. In 2009-10, California received $497 million in WIA funds and $470 million in WIA ARRA funds for a total of $967 million. In 2010-11, California received $462 million in WIA funds.
Braided Resources
Some local areas combine WIA dollars with other federal and state funds to support One Stop Career Centers and other workforce activities.
By the Numbers
Three years of WIA funding in California compared:
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
33% (5 million)
California Workers Earning less than $13.63 per hour
Accountability
EDD is required to report to the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) on state and local performance
measures. Accountability reporting is only required for participants who are enrolled in intensive services or training. Performance reporting uses a set of metrics that measure outcomes such as employment, earnings, retention, and attainment of a recognized credential.
Population Served
The WIA funds target three distinct populations: adults, youth, and dislocated workers. One-Stop Career Centers also provide
services to employers, including labor market information, recruitment, and screening.
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