What is a Workforce Investment Board?

In accordance with State criteria established under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, a Local Workforce Investment Board is appointed by the chief elected official in each local area and is certified by the Governor every two (2) years.

In the workforce investment system, the local level remains key for policy and administrative decisions. It is where customers access services and where the design for the One-Stop system is implemented.

The law requires each local workforce investment area to be governed by a Workforce Investment Board in conjunction with the Chief Local Elected Official.

Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) are comprised of representatives from private sector businesses, organized labor, community-based organizations, local government agencies, and local education agencies.

The WIB is expected to exercise a broad view over many workforce-related programs and agencies funded from a variety of sources.  The WIB works to identify the local areas needs and resources and develop a strategic consensus among local leaders and service agencies in order to ensure that education and training programs continue to meet the needs of local employers and job seekers.  The WIB also provides policy guidance, designate operators for their area’s One-Stop Career Centers, and oversee the job training activities within their local areas.

In addition to legislated responsibilities under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), WIB's have been called upon to play a major role in a variety of key state employment initiatives currently underway. They define their vision, mission, and goals based on local community needs. Their five-year strategic plan establishes the local one-stop service delivery system and a system to serve youth. The WIB is also charged with integrating a workforce system that is flexible, seamless, and responsive to the needs of both job seekers and employers.

Purpose of the Workforce Investment Board in Areas 17 & 18

The Workforce Investment Board in Areas 17 and 18 play a key role in the economic development of our area.  It brings together a myriad of employment, training, and educational services and transforms them into a comprehensive and easily accessed system that supports the development of an world-class workforce.   

Our activities support industry-based workforce development strategies, labor market analysis, community planning, focused economic development efforts, collaborative partnerships with education and training providers, and improvement of the economic vitality of the area.

Specific Workforce Investment Board activities include:

• Building a better workforce - linking employers and individuals to education and training programs.
• Serving as the region's workforce broker - bringing employers and qualified applicants together.
• Promoting long-term employability and lifelong learning by providing access to training to ensure competitiveness in today's labor market.
• Setting systems policies, priorities, and budgets.
• Coordinating youth program activities through the Youth Council.
• Preparing our youth for employment in the region's most vital industries. Preparing youth for the world of work through School-to-Career programs, and yearlong, intermediary youth work programs.
• Leading the effort to move welfare recipients toward self-sufficiency through the federal Welfare-to-Work program.
• Providing assistance to companies that find themselves in the unfortunate situation of having to reduce their workforce and assisting companies to develop strategies that may avert layoffs.
• Providing access to current workforce data and labor market information.
• Overseeing the performance and accountability system.