To strongly encourage states to: (1) broaden their definition of approved training for Unemployment Insurance (UI) beneficiaries during economic downturns, (2) notify UI beneficiaries of their potential eligibility for Pell Grants and other student aid, and (3) help individuals apply for Pell Grants through One-Stop Career Centers.

To provide states and outlying areas with WIA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Activities program allotments for Program Year (PY) 2009; final allotments for PY 2009 Wagner-Peyser Act activities or programs, as required by section 6(b)(5) of the Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended; Workforce Information Grants to States for PY 2009; and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) allotments for FY 2009.

To respond to questions about the permanent federal-state extended benefits (EB) program, including temporary changes made by Public Law 111-5.

To increase awareness of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and inform states and local areas about resources available to assist dislocated workers, businesses, and partners in understanding the new law.

To provide policy guidance and direction for National Emergency Grants (NEGs) funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) resources.

To announce the Lower Living Standard Income Level for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009.

To provide guidance for the funding and management of FY 2009 annual grant allocations for the Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) programs.

To provide guidance on the reporting of Recovery Act funds for Wagner-Peyser Act and Workforce Investment Act programs.

To invite the submission of proposals from State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) to implement or expand UI REA initiatives; to provide guidelines for developing the proposals; and to provide criteria governing the use of these funds.

The purposes of this Training and Employment Notice are to:
(1) Introduce the industry competency models and their value as resources that can support partnership development and engagement among business, the workforce investment system, and the continuum of education;
(2) Illustrate a variety of uses for competency models for workforce investment system partners and industry organizations; and,
(3) Share information about two interactive tools that enable workforce system partners to collaboratively develop customized industry competency models and career ladders/lattices.