2004 WIB Labor Representative Training

Building Workforce Partnerships

Training Conferences for Workforce Investment Board Labor Representatives

and Workforce Practitioners

The Working for America Institute is pleased to announce the dates of two training conferences for WIB labor representatives, labor program operators and other union leaders interested in workforce development policy. The Institute is being funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to provide this training and technical assistance to unions, particularly focusing on assisting the labor representatives who serve on state and local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs).

To make it easier for the many labor stakeholders in the system to attend this training, two conferences will be held, both in partnership with state labor federations that have active workforce development programs.  While it is assumed that labor representatives will attend the closest training, or work with their own state labor federations to decide which of the sessions to attend, participants will be able to register for either session.  Both will start on Wednesday at 1:00 PM with identical training sessions focused on the role that labor can play in the implementation of changes expected as part of the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

While each house of Congress has passed its own version of WIA reauthorization, a House/Senate Conference Committee has yet to be scheduled.  Nevertheless, we know a great deal about the thrust of the reauthorization provisions and about the key role that labor representatives can play in implementing the expected changes.  In particular, there are a number of proposals common to the House and Senate versions of the legislation that are of interest to labor representatives, including the emphasis on leading industry sectors, incumbent worker training and economic development. Training will not only include these topics, but also the key role that labor representatives can play in implementing the new legislation.

The conferences will also include workshops on a variety of issues in workforce development, including the strategies that comprise the High Road Public Workforce Development Agenda — use of comprehensive, high road community audits; advocating for expanded use of realistic self-sufficiency standards; and promoting subsidy accountability in workforce and economic development.  Participants will learn how their colleagues have moved this agenda in their communities and will get the information they need to be more effective members of their Workforce Investment Boards.

YOUR WIB CAN PAY YOUR EXPENSES TO ATTEND

Labor representatives should begin reaching out to their WIB leadership to let them know their interest in attending this training.  A letter from the Institute's Regional Coordinator for your areas has been sent to WIB Executive Directors asking for their cooperation in encouraging and underwriting the costs of the conference for their labor representatives.  The attendance of labor representatives is an allowable expense under the Workforce Investment Act and the vast majority of labor representative who have participated in our training program have done so with the support of their Boards.  If you need assistance in this process, please contact the Regional Coordinator for your state.

A sample letter to use in requesting board support is attached for your use. In addition, a copy of the Training and Employment Notice issued by the US Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) may serve to be a helpful attachment to this request.

Register Now!

See the PDF version of the Building Workforce Partnerships Registration Flyer

Shortcut to Registration and Hotel Information

See preliminary conference agenda

Become a more effective member of your board & participate in training