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“WORKFORCE REINVESTMENT AND ADULT EDUCATION ACT OF 2003” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E475-E476 on March 13, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
WORKFORCE REINVESTMENT AND ADULT EDUCATION ACT OF 2003
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HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act of 2003 to reauthorize the nation's job training system, as well as adult education and vocational rehabilitation programs. This legislation builds upon and improves the systems created in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. We have worked closely with the Administration to craft legislation to continue to empower individuals in improving their careers.
In 1998, under the Education and the Workforce Committee's leadership, Congress passed the Workforce Investment Act to reform the nation's job training system that formerly was fragmented, contained overlapping programs, and did not serve either job seekers or employers well. WIA consolidated and integrated employment and training services at the local level in a more unified workforce development system. Local, business-led workforce investment boards direct the activities of the system.
One of the hallmarks of the new system is that, in order to encourage the development of comprehensive systems that improve services to both employers and job seekers, local services are provided through a one-
stop delivery system. At the one-stop centers, assistance ranges from core services such as job search and placement assistance, access to job listings, and an initial assessment of skills and needs; intensive services such as comprehensive assessments and case management; and, if needed, occupational skills training.
The WIA system contains the federal government's primary programs for investment in our nation's workforce preparation. Even though the system is still maturing since its full implementation in July 2000, States and local areas have created comprehensive services and effective one-stop delivery systems. The system is serving the needs of unemployed workers seeking new jobs in this time of economic recovery. In addition, the training services provided through WIA are invaluable in helping employers find the workers they need in areas of the country facing skill shortages.
Nonetheless, there have been challenges with the system. There is a need to increase the financial contribution of the mandatory partners in the One-Stop Career Centers while at the same time increasing the service integration among the partner programs. This includes serving through the one-stop system special populations that have unique needs. We are concerned that administrative duplication remains in the system, resulting in unnecessary bureaucracy that dilutes the ability of states and local areas to address their communities' needs. There is also a need to simplify the local and state governance processes and to strengthen the private sector's role. Additionally, we need to increase training opportunities and improve performance accountability.
This bill also aims to streamline current WIA funding in order to provide more efficient and results-oriented services and programs, strengthen infrastructure of the one-stop delivery system, eliminate duplication, improve accountability, enhance the role of employers, and increase states' and local areas' flexibility.
This reauthorization provides an opportunity to build on and improve the current WIA system so that it can respond quickly and effectively to the changing needs of both workers and employers and further address the needs of special populations. It is designed to promote productive workforce development programs connected to the private sector, postsecondary education and training, and economic development systems in order to enhance the career opportunities and skills of the 21st century workforce. Our goal is to improve the locally driven system to ensure we provide the tools to meet local workforce development needs.
Title II of this Act is the Adult Basic Skills Act, to reauthorize state programs for adult education. The adult education program currently serves 2.7 million adults, almost half who are immigrants whose first language is not English. The program also serves those who are working to get a GED or its recognized equivalent, or are preparing for higher education. Adult basic education programs across the country are offered through schools, community centers, libraries, public housing, community colleges, and volunteer organizations, both public and private, profit and non-profit.
This bill makes changes to current law, and places more of a focus on the delivery of the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and math. Additionally, we have sought to ensure that instructional practices are based on scientific research. Provisions have been included to increase accountability for States and local providers to have measurable results in improving basic skills, GED graduates, and those entering higher education. It is important that there be increased coordination with the business community, and Labor Department programs.
The bill also makes improvements to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which provides services to help persons with physical and mental disabilities become employable and achieve full integration into society. The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) title of this bill enhances and improves transition services, which promote the movement of a student served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) from school to post-school activities. This legislation also requires States to include in their State plans an assessment of the transition services provided through the VR system and of how those services are coordinated with such services under IDEA. Also included in the State plan are strategies the State will use to address the needs identified in the assessment of transitions services described above.
I look forward to working with the members of the Committee, other member of Congress, the Administration, and all stakeholders as we work to a craft legislation that will build upon and improve the systems we created in 1998 and continue to empower individuals in enhancing their career opportunities and skills in our 21st century workforce. I urge my colleagues to join me and the other original co-sponsors in support of the Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act of 2003.
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