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The Workforce Investment System

WIA Principles:

In 1998, President Clinton signed the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). WIA reformed Federal job training programs and created a new, comprehensive workforce investment system. The system is intended to be customer-focused, to help Americans access the tools they need to manage their careers through information and high quality services, and to help companies find skilled workers.

The cornerstone of the workforce investment system is One-Stop service delivery (through the CTWorks Career Centers in this state) which combines numerous training, education and employment programs into a single, customer- friendly system. This coordination of programs, services and governance structures assures the customer access to a seamless system of workforce investment services.

Connecticut's Workforce Investment System

Board guidance and oversight of workforce development in Connecticut is provided by The Connecticut Employment & Training Commission (CETC), which is responsible under the authority of WIA and Connecticut General Statutes for establishing and promulgating workforce development policy. At the state level, coordination and administration of workforce development activities among state agencies is conducted by the Governor's JOBS Cabinet, under the direction of the Governor's Policy Advisor for Workforce Competitiveness. Regional Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) play the lead role at the local level to plan and coordinate workforce investment strategies, programs and services in broad collaboration with other key public- and private-sector partners.

Connecticut's workforce development system is designed to meet the needs of employers seeking qualified employees; and workers and jobseekers pursuing career opportunities leading to economic security, including the under- employed, individuals with disabilities, and those making the transition from welfare to work.

The five WIBs in Connecticut are: the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, The WorkPlace, Inc., Capital Workforce Partners, Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board, and Workforce Alliance.