Workforce Investment Board

Workforce Investment Boards (or "WIBs") are regional entities created to implement the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 in the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Every community in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau, is associated with a Local WIB (LWIB). For each LWIB, a chief elected official (for example, a county commissioner or the mayor of a lead city) appoints members to sit on the WIB. These appointed positions are unpaid. At least 50% of a WIB's membership must come from private businesses. There are also designated seats for representatives from labor unions and educational institutions like community colleges as well. Beyond these basic guidelines, many aspects of how an individual WIB operates can vary.

The WIB's main role is to direct federal, state and local funding to workforce development programs. WIBs conduct and publish research on these programs and the needs of their regional economy. They also oversee the One-Stop Career Centers, where job seekers can get employment information, find out about career development training opportunities and connect to various programs in their area. One-Stop Career Centers also provide many no-cost services to employers as well. Services vary by state and WIB.

WIBs work in conjunction with economic development related organizations in order to maximize the reaction time and create resources to intervene for both the dislocated workforce and the incumbent workforce members of a community.

External links

* [http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=105_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ220.105 Workforce Investment Act of 1998, from gpo.gov]

* [http://www.nawb.org National Association of Workforce Boards]