Employment Security Department: Frequently Asked Questions -- March 2009
WorkSource system
Q. What is WorkSource?
A.
WorkSource is a partnership of state and local government agencies (including Employment Security), colleges and non-profit organizations that offer employment services for job seekers and businesses. There are 36 full-service WorkSource centers that are open to the public across the state, plus several dozen satellite sites that offer a smaller array of services. The offices are listed online and in the blue pages of the phone book.
Q. What’s the relationship between Employment Security and the 12 workforce development councils (WDCs)? Who does what?
A.
The Employment Security Department works in partnership with the state’s 12 workforce development councils to administer WorkSource, the state’s nationally recognized one-stop employment and worker-training system. In most communities, Employment Security employees work alongside workforce development council employees and other partners to provide employment and training assistance to clients. WorkSource provided employment-related services to more than 272,000 people in 2008.
The department also administers funding provided through the federal Workforce Investment Act for employment and training services. The funds are dispersed to local workforce development councils to design and provide these services within their communities.
Each workforce development council must prepare a strategic plan every two years for review and comment by the Washington State Workforce Training Education Coordinating Board (WTECB) and the Employment Security Department. These plans guide how they use the federal money.
The department monitors the plans and councils to ensure they comply with federal requirements for using the money. Some $52 million will be distributed to the state’s 12 workforce development councils for the July 2008-June 2009 fiscal year, based on population, unemployment and the number of disadvantaged people in each area.
The department also administers funding provided through the federal Workforce Investment Act for employment and training services. The funds are dispersed to local workforce development councils to design and provide these services within their communities.
Each workforce development council must prepare a strategic plan every two years for review and comment by the Washington State Workforce Training Education Coordinating Board (WTECB) and the Employment Security Department. These plans guide how they use the federal money.
The department monitors the plans and councils to ensure they comply with federal requirements for using the money. Some $52 million will be distributed to the state’s 12 workforce development councils for the July 2008-June 2009 fiscal year, based on population, unemployment and the number of disadvantaged people in each area.
Q. Where do workforce development councils get their money (e.g., from state, federal or local sources)? Does Employment Security have a say in how they spend the money?
A.
Workforce development councils are autonomous bodies whose membership is defined in state law. The lead member is the local chief-elected official, and Employment Security has a seat on each council. Because workforce development councils are independent entities, they may have funding other than federal Workforce Investment Act funds. There is no restriction on the amount of funds these organizations can apply for and receive to provide assistance in their communities.
