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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-8211
Oregon today became the first state to win approval to operate its
multi-million dollar federal job training program with less oversight and fewer
restrictions from the federal government. The Department of Labor expects more
states to seek waivers, which would allow each state to tailor its job training
program to fit the needs of its citizens.
Vice President Al Gore addressed the National Governors' Association on
Monday, Feb. 3 during their annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
"This waiver will allow the state to provide greater choice and
opportunity for unemployed people seeking to use government services," Gore
said. "It will reduce program administration requirements and costs. It will
eliminate requirements that sometimes stand in they way of a job search."
The waiver enables Oregon to bypass certain federal regulations and
customize its job training program for displaced workers, welfare recipients
and disadvantaged youth. In exchange for the flexibility to design services for
youth and adults, Oregon will commit to an across-the-board performance
increase of five percent.
"By reducing the red tape, we also allow states to be innovative in
developing ways to move welfare recipients into work," said Cynthia Metzler,
acting secretary of labor, who approved Oregon's waiver. "We expect other
states will soon follow Oregon's example."
Training programs funded under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
make up the nation's largest employment and training system. New legislation
allows the secretary of labor to waive certain requirements so states can
design their own programs with less administrative burden.
"Providing needed flexibility to states and local communities is a major
step toward ensuring America has the best workforce in the 21st century," said
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber. "This waiver enables us to design our programs
to best fit the needs of our customers, contributing to a seamless delivery of
services."
Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
WAIVER FACT SHEET
Employment & Training Administration U.S. Department of Labor
February, 1997
BACKGROUND
There is agreement that the nation's federal job training system is in
need of reform --- it is too complex, too cumbersome, and has too many
different components.
During the last session of Congress, the President and Members of
Congress attempted to find common ground on legislation to streamline the
system, but they were unable to agree on a mutually acceptable bill. Even so,
the underlying need for reform has remained constant throughout the debate and
efforts to improve the system are proceeding in many states.
To begin addressing reform in a tangible way, an interim solution was
negotiated at the end of the last session of Congress. This action granted the
Secretary of Labor the authority to waive provisions of law in both the Job
Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and the Wagner-Peyser Act, which could give
states more flexibility in managing their federal job training and employment
programs.
THE WAIVER AUTHORITY
The General Waiver Authority will allow states greater
flexibility in tailoring job training and placement programs that will best fit
the needs of their customers. This will affect program services for
disadvantaged adults and youth as well as dislocated workers.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR JOB TRAINING CUSTOMERS?
The waivers will enable state and local programs to focus on the
customer's needs and are intended to stimulate innovative program changes based
on state and local labor market conditions. Government "red tape" will be cut,
allowing states to reduce burdensome administrative processes in exchange for
more focus on the quality of job training services.
EXAMPLES OF GREATER CHOICE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
CUSTOMERS
- Working with welfare to work agencies, job training agencies can be
given discretion to shift administrative funds to pay for child care for
welfare to work trainees.
- By eliminating unnecessary program requirements, customers who simply
want a job will have the option of being referred directly to a job without
taking other required services.
- Individuals will be able to receive needed training after they become
employed to help them stay on the job --- this would foster the "work first"
approach under welfare reform.
- The waiving of some past restrictions will allow dislocated workers
to receive needed work experience essential for new careers; prior to this,
they were only able to get reemployment assistance and training.
EXAMPLES OF REDUCING RED TAPE
- Administrative requirements and paperwork can be reduced by 25 to 30
percent.
- Increased flexibility means being able to integrate different job
training services to provide customers with a richer mix of services. Many of
these services come from separate workforce and education programs.
EXAMPLES OF FLEXIBILITY FOR STATES AND
LOCALITIES
- State and local operators will be able to make program design
decisions without having to follow multiple federal requirements.
- By reducing program administrative requirements, more staff and
training resources will be available to serve more customers.
- Program operators can encourage customers to focus on services they
need to obtain the best possible training and job placement instead of offering
a singular program model with a "one-size fits all" approach.
This waiver authority was authorized under provisions in the Fiscal Year
1997 Appropriations Act, and opens statutory waiver opportunities to all
states, while expanding coverage beyond JTPA.
Additionally, a new demonstration project was authorized which will
allow up to six states to be given similar waiver authority through their
Governors, eliminating the need to get prior permission from the Secretary of
Labor. Applications from states for this new Work-Flex authority will be due
this spring. Both waiver authorities apply to programs starting July 1,
1997.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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