A recent op-ed in the Reno Gazette Journal blasts Senator Patty Murray for supporting the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in her new role as a congressional super committee member assigned to deliver $1 trillion in spending cuts. What is disconcerting is an opinion that all spending is wasteful—particularly funding that supports the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
First, the op-ed points that hit the mark.
The article calls for a repeal of thousands of federal workplace regulations that drive up employer costs. Yes, businesses are the risk takers and clearly need more incentives and fewer regulations so that they can create jobs. This is a completely separate issue from investing in a system funded through WIA that is led by businesses who have their pulse on their local economies and the workplace skills and labor talent needed to help them grow and achieve success.
The op-ed misses the mark.
The article states that the WIA is yet another federal "jobs training" program that attempts to teach unemployed poor and minority people basic workplace skills and that they system offers training just for general skills (how to write a resume, how to dress for work, how to show up on time) without focusing on specialized fields in demand. What?
Here are the facts on WIA.
The WIA authorizes more than 550 local business-led workforce investments boards (WIBs) that cover all fifty states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories to oversee workforce development services through a network of 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers. Over 12,000 businesses across America serve on these boards and are the decision makers around workforce strategies within their local communities—that’s 12,000 businesses that have the pulse on the employment and training needs within their unique markets to prepare and match the skills of workers with the global demands of companies that make the economy tick.
The system is business driven. These WIBs coordinate and leverage WIA funding to create high growth sector initiatives that address the prevailing skills gap — a gap that undeniably continues to widen.
Since 2008, enrollment in WIA programs has increased by 234% while funding has remained virtually unchanged. Over the past two years, over 8.5 million jobseekers have utilized federal employment and training services. More than half – 4.3 million – found jobs through the system during that time. There is clearly more going on in the system then teaching resume skills and how to show up for work.
There’s no doubt that Congress has to get a grip on spending. But let’s get clear on the facts so that the right cuts can occur and the right investments can continue.
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