Arkansas’ workforce development system is a coordinated and collaborative network of services, programs, and investments with a shared goal of improving the skills of the state’s workforce. The public workforce system works in partnership with businesses, educators, organized labor, and community leaders to foster economic development and high-growth opportunities in regional economies. This network further helps potential job candidates, particularly low-income youth, adults, and dislocated workers, overcome obstacles to successful employment. Employment and training services are coordinated and provided through the Arkansas Workforce Centers, the state’s one-stop delivery system.

WIOA brings together, in strategic coordination, the following core programs of federal investment in skill development:

• Employment and training services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth
• Wagner Peyser employment services
• Adult Education
• Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
• Division of Services for the Blind

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides federal funding to help support workforce development programs across the United States. The flow of WIOA funding from the federal level to local entities involves several steps and key players. Here’s how the process typically works:

1. Federal Allocation

• The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) administers WIOA funds through its Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
• Each year, Congress allocates a budget for WIOA, which is divided into three main funding streams:
  • Adult Programs: Supports training and career services for individuals aged 18 and older.
  • Dislocated Worker Programs: Provides services to individuals laid off or displaced from their jobs.
  • Youth Programs: Targets services for disadvantaged youth aged 14-24 to support education and employment outcomes.

2. State Allocation

• The federal DOL distributes WIOA funds to the state level, typically to the state’s workforce development agency (Arkansas Workforce Connections).
• The amount each state receives is determined based on several factors, including:
  • The state’s unemployment rate.
  • The number of disadvantaged or low-income individuals in the state.
  • Economic conditions and demographic factors.

3. State Planning and Allocation

• States create a WIOA State Plan, outlining strategies and goals for utilizing the funds effectively, that must be approved by the USDOL.
• Once the plan is approved, the state allocates the funds to local workforce development boards (LWDBs) based on regional needs and economic factors. Arkansas has ten LWDBs that oversee specific geographic areas.

4. Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs)

• Local boards are responsible for setting priorities and strategies based on the unique needs of their communities.
• They allocate funding to American Job Centers, known in Arkansas as Arkansas Workforce Centers, which provide services directly to job seekers and employers.
• Local boards partner with community colleges, training providers, non-profits, and employers to implement workforce programs, including job training, career counseling, and supportive services.

5. Service Delivery to Participants

• At the local level, participants can access WIOA-funded services through Arkansas Workforce Centers. These services may include:
  • Basic Career Services: Job search assistance, resume workshops, and labor market information.
  • Individualized Services: Skills assessments, career planning, and case management.
  • Training Services: Vocational training, apprenticeships, on-the-job training (OJT), and certification programs.
  • Supportive Services: Childcare, transportation assistance, and other resources to help individuals complete their training.

6. Monitoring and Reporting

• Both state and local entities must track spending and outcomes to ensure compliance with WIOA regulations.
• States report back to the federal DOL on key performance indicators, such as employment rates, credential attainment, and program completion rates.
• Based on these reports, the DOL assesses program effectiveness and may make adjustments or recommendations for future funding allocations.

Key Points to Remember

• Flexibility: WIOA funds are designed to be flexible to meet the unique needs of different regions, but they must be used for activities that align with WIOA’s overall goals of improving workforce outcomes.
• Partnerships: Collaboration between local boards, employers, education providers, and community organizations is critical for effective program implementation.
• Accountability: There is a strong emphasis on accountability and performance metrics to ensure that WIOA funds are used effectively to support job seekers and employers.

This process ensures that workforce development efforts are tailored to local economic needs while maintaining federal oversight and standards for accountability.

• WIOA Summary
• WIOA References

Job Seekers

• CareerOneStop.org
• Find Your Local American Job Center
• Apprenticeship Finder
• My Next Move
• Worker Reemployment Portal
• Job Corps Enrollment
• Employment Resources for Veterans
• How to File for Unemployment Benefits
• Approved Apprenticeship Programs
• Projected Employment Opportunities List

Employers

• Local Business Services Coordinators
• Employer Services
• Recruit and Hire
• Train and Retain
• Downsizing and Layoff Aversion

Eligible Training Providers

• ETPL Listing Report
• AJL ProviderLink Help Guide
• AJL ProviderLink ETPL Application and Program Instructions
• ETPs Adding Programs, Initial & Continued Performance Data in AJL ProviderLink 5-2-2023
• ETP Providers-Programs-LWAs Monthly Listing
• ETP Renewal Dates Monthly Listing
• Registered Apprenticeship – Arkansas ETPL Application and Program Instructions

CEOs

• CEO Membership Guide (08/2021)
• CEO-Membership-Guide_Nomination/Appt Form_ATT A (6.3.24) NEW
• CEO-Membership-Guide_Board Roster Cert Form_ATT B (5.2.24)  NEW

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