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Background: Release of the new SOC will have long-term implications for virtually all State employment and training programs. Currently, most workforce development programs rely on the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) and/or the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) occupational coding systems. The DOT is being replaced by O*NET, the Occupational Information Network, and O*NET plans to adopt the revised SOC once it is finalized. Over the years, government agencies have created their own classification systems for their specific needs. This made the comparison of occupational data extremely difficult. A single occupational classification system is needed. In addition, requirements in federal legislation are increasingly demanding that occupational data be classified on a more comparable basis. The initial attempt to produce a government-wide occupational classification standard was the 1980 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Manual. A federal interdepartmental committee has completed developmental work to update and revise the SOC. Use of New SOC System: All federal agencies that collect occupational data are expected to utilize the new system. Thus, federally-funded programs and services which rely on or use occupational classification coding will begin transitioning/converting to the new SOC. For example, the revised SOC will be used for the 1999 OES survey as well as the 2000 Census. Action: Since most employment-related programs, including unemployment insurance, employment services, Job Training Partnership Act programs, one-stop career centers, school- to-work initiatives and career information delivery systems (CIDS), use the OES and/or DOT, it is important that all employment and training programs have the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed revision. Comments should be sent in writing by September 5, 1997, to: Paul Hadlock, Standard Occupational Classification Revision Policy Committee, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Suite 4840, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20212.

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Background: JTPA is unique among social service initiatives in the amount of information gathered on its program participants. The SPIR is a national automated database that includes information on individuals who exit most JTPA training programs in a given year--dislocated workers, older workers, and economically disadvantaged youth and adults. The PY 1995 database includes over 840,000 records, making JTPA unique in the amount of individualized data it provides to multiple users. (Individual identifiers for each record have been removed to ensure JTPA participant confidentiality.) Five categories of participant information are included in the database: Demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnic group, and persons with disabilities; Wage data before and after participation in the program; Training received by participants who left the program, such as basic education, classroom training, or on-the-job training; Services provided, such as counseling or job search services; and Program results, such as employment status at termination and 13-week follow-up, and attainment of employability enhancements. CD-ROM Information: The complete public use data set for all PY 1995 JTPA Titles IIA, IIC, III, and Section 204(d) participants will soon be available in CD-ROM format. For the first time, the SPIR CD-ROM also contains the PY 95 SPIR Data Book, all 51 State SPIR Data Books, the Guide to JTPA Performance Standards for Program Years 1996 and 1997, additional technical documentation, and free Acrobat TM Reader software in both MS-DOS and Windows versions. A complete list of the contents of the PY 1995 SPIR CD-ROM is attached. Expected Benefits: The SPIR database provides users with a powerful tool for examining the characteristics and job training outcomes of particular participant subgroups. Such information is vital for successful program management and promoting continuous improvements in job training. For example: Combined with statistical analysis software, the SPIR database can help users analyze what combination of training and services for specific subgroups of customers leads to stable jobs at the state, regional and national levels; The SPIR database can be used to identify the kinds of nontraditional jobs found by women who received services under JTPA; SPIR can help identify whether local programs are able to replace the previous salary of dislocated workers who have been laid off for varying periods of time before they entered JTPA-sponsored training; and SPIR can help identify general patterns of characteristics and outcomes across categories of individuals who have completed JTPA services or specific job training programs. For State administrators, this information is a useful management tool that can be used to identify high- and low- achieving local service delivery programs, to inform the development of performance goals for making continuous quality improvements throughout JTPA, and to focus technical assistance. SPIR also supports State, local community, and federal policy and management analysis by showing which services lead to positive outcomes for participants. Thus, users would be better able to assess the needs of JTPA customers and improve job training and employment programs. Distribution: The National Data Book is attached. State Data Books will be distributed shortly under separate cover and also can be downloaded from the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM will be distributed in approximately four weeks to those receiving this TEIN. Additional copies will be available upon request from ETA's Office of Policy and Research by contacting either Doug Scott at (202) 219-5487 ext. 111 (Internet:scottd@doleta.gov), or Valerie Lloyd at ext. 107 (Internet:lloydv@doleta.gov). OPR's fax number is (202) 219-5455.

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Average Weekly Benefit Amount (AWBA) Utilization: As required by 20 CFR 625.6, the attached listing sets forth the 50 percent of AWBA computation applicable for major disasters declared during the fourth quarter of FY 1997, from July 1 through September 30, 1997. Action Required: SESA Administrators are requested to provide this information to appropriate staff and insure that the correct AWBA is utilized in determining the weekly DUA amount.

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References: Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) No. 35-95; UIPL No. 5- 97; UIPL No. 38-96 and UIPL No. 38-96, Change 1. Background: In support of SESAs' decisions to implement remote initial claimstaking, a series of planning grants and implementation grants were provided during Fiscal Year (FY) 1996. Implementation grants were also awarded in FY 1997. Additional implementation grants may be offered next fiscal year if funds are appropriated for such use. Due to the limited funds available, the grants are being awarded on a competitive basis and are limited to financing one-time implementation costs for acquisition of telecommunications equipment and related services. The Department's interpretation of several Federal requirements in a remote claimstaking environment was issued in UIPLs No. 35-95 and No. 5-97, dated June 28, 1995 and December 2, 1996, respectively. In addition, the Department issued UIPL No. 38-96, dated September 26, 1996, and UIPL No. 38-96, Change 1, dated January 7, 1997, to advise SESAs of changes to the Interstate Statistical Data Exchange format and data exchange instructions. However, additional questions have been raised about the Department's position concerning the use of telephones and other remote means for initial claimstaking as an alternative, or in addition to in-person claimstaking, as well as the impact of such remote initial claimstaking on a State's One- Stop Career Center concept. This directive contains the Department's position. Department's Position: The Department will continue to assist SESAs in implementing systems that are technologically feasible and efficient in an effort to deliver quality services to claimants. However, the Telephone Claims Implementation Grants are not an attempt to dictate a single method of service delivery for the SESA, nor does the Department's support imply that the transition to remote claimstaking is considered more desirable than in-person service delivery. The Department recognizes that SESAs are better situated to assess the methods that best serve their claimant and employer needs. The FY 1996 and 1997 Telephone Initial Claims Implementation Grants announcements advised SESAs that proposals should provide for the use of remote procedures in taking a majority of initial claims. The Department plans to reevaluate its criteria with regard to future telephone implementation grants. Relationship between Remote Initial Claimstaking and One-Stop Career Centers: The UI program is a significant part of the State's new workforce development system. Therefore, its role in the State's One-Stop Career Center operations is considered significant whether it is an in-person physical presence or through the use of remote access. As a part of the national initiative of building a high-priority integrated Workforce Development System, ETA is initiating a national dialogue regrading the development of a vision for the UI program within the Workforce Development (or One-Stop Career Center) System. It is expected that a Training and Employment Information Notice will be issued in the immediate future to engage SESAs and other stakeholders in that consultative process. Action Required: SESA Administrators should inform appropriate staff of the Department's position as set forth in this program letter.