WorkSource Fulton

President Barack Obama signed WIOA into law on July 22, 2014. WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed the Act by a wide bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform of the public workforce system in more than 15 years. Every year the key programs that form the pillars of WIOA help tens of millions of job seekers and workers to connect to good jobs and acquire the skills and credentials needed to obtain them.

“The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) will help job seekers and workers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and match employers with skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed WIOA, the first legislative reform of the public workforce system in more than 15 years, by a wide bipartisan majority. In doing so, Congress reaffirmed the role of the American Job Center (AJC) system, a cornerstone of the public workforce investment system, and brought together and enhanced several key employment, education, and training programs. In recent years over 20 million people annually turn to these programs to obtain good jobs and a pathway to the middle class. WIOA continues to advance services to these job seekers and employers.”

WIOA supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. WIOA authorizes the Job Corps, YouthBuild, Indian and Native Americans, and Migrant and Seasonal Farm worker programs, in addition to the core programs.   

EFFECTIVE DATES FOR IMPLEMENTATION  
President Barack Obama signed WIOA into law on July 22, 2014. In general, the Act takes effect on July 1, 2015, the first full program year after enactment, unless otherwise noted. The State Unified Plans and Common Performance Accountability provisions take effect July 1, 2016. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will issue further guidance on the time frames for implementation of these changes.

Determine if you are WIOA eligible.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides designated regions and local workforce development areas the responsibility to create employment and training systems tailored specifically to regional economies. These systems must meet the needs of the full range of learners and workers, including those with barriers to employment. The system must also address the specific needs of regional employers and the skills they require. WIOA requires the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) to submit a local plan to the Governor. If the local area is part of a planning region, the LWDB will work collaboratively with other LWDBs in the designated region to prepare and submit its local plan as part of a regional plan. The local and regional plans provide the framework for local areas to define how their workforce development systems will achieve the purposes of WIOA. The regional and local plans serve as 4-year action plans to develop, align, and integrate the region and local area’s job driven workforce development systems, and provide the platform to achieve the local area’s visions and strategic goals.

As required by WIOA, the five Local Workforce Development Boards in the 10-county metro Atlanta region (Workforce Region 3) have prepared a regional workforce plan for the counties of Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale.  In addition, each of the five LWDBs has prepared unique local workforce plans for their service area. Fulton County, as the fiscal and administrative agent for the Fulton County Workforce Preparation and Employment System Board (FCWPES), prepared a local workforce plan update.

The regional workforce plan and the Fulton County Workforce Preparation and Employment System Workforce Development Board local workforce plan documents are available for review here:  

Fulton County WIOA Local Workforce Plan

GA Region 3 WIOA Regional Workforce Plan

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) requires that each service delivery area (there are 20 in Georgia) have at least one comprehensive or full-service One-Stop Center. A One-Stop Center is a place where Employers and Job Seekers can access a wide range of workforce services. In Georgia, there are over 45 "full-service" One-Stop Centers, and most areas have several other locations for customers to access workforce services also. A majority of the full-service locations are GDOL Career Centers, while others are separate facilities. Many different education, training, and employment-related services available in the community are also provided by various partner agencies at the One-Stop Center or through referrals.

The One-Stop system was designed to bring together many separate partners to seamlessly provide an array of services, from resume preparation to job search to placement to supportive services.  Thru the One Stop we assist qualified students in training for demanded occupations by providing counseling, case management, and career and job search coaching to facilitate their completion of occupational credentials and their optimal employment after graduation. WIA pays training costs not covered by the HOPE Scholarship Program as well as provides funding for tools, uniforms, licensing exams, etc. Up to $5000.00 the first year and $3000.00 the second year for a total of $8000.00 may be available for training at designated schools in certain demand occupations.

While One-Stops offer many of the same services, there are differences among One-Stops services based on the needs of customers in the community. For example, while all One-Stops provide workforce resource areas with a variety of self-service options online or through books, videos, or pamphlets, a One-Stop Center may offer specialized services in specific areas.  

At a One-Stop Center, every effort is made to make it as easy and convenient as possible for Employer and Job Seeker customers to get the customized services they need. Many customers will be able to get everything they need from a single location, during a single visit or multiple visits. Other customers may need services that are not available onsite. In these situations, One-Stop staff will facilitate necessary linkages and referrals.

The Fulton County One-Stop Career Centers are designed to assist Fulton County residents in obtaining and maintaining unsubsidized employment.  

The Service Sites provide job seekers with access to a variety of tools to aid in their job search. Some of the resources available at the Service Sites include:

• Core and Intensive Levels of Service
• Internet access for online job search
• Computers for resume and cover letter writing
• GED Preparation, Vocational Training, Life Skills Training
• Self-assisted assessment and supportive services (on-line and written)
• Access to a fax machine and telephone
• Access to the State of Georgia’s Eligible Service Provider List

Intensive services are provided to laid off citizens (Dislocated Workers) and low income adults; additional services may be available, if you are in an approved activity which includes but not limited to Child Care Assistance, Transportation Assistance, Job Readiness Classes, and Job Search Assistance.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) One-Stop Workforce System Summary for Job Seekers 

The federal Workforce Investment Act was signed into law in August 1998, and went into effect in Georgia in July 2000. The Governor designated the Georgia Department of Labor, under the leadership of Commissioner Michael L. Thurmond, as the state agency responsible for WIA. The Governor also appointed the State Workforce Investment Board to help plan and develop Georgia’s overall workforce system. 

In Georgia, there are 20 local service delivery areas. In each area there is a Local Workforce Investment Board, appointed by local elected officials. Local Boards are responsible for designing local workforce systems that are employer-led, demand-driven, customer-friendly, and continuously improving. No two local systems look alike in Georgia, since the workforce needs of communities differ. 

Each workforce area has at least one comprehensive One-Stop Workforce Center that provides job seekers and employers a wide range of workforce services. In Georgia there are over 45 comprehensive One-Stop Centers, and nearly three-quarters of these are GDOL Career Centers. In addition to these comprehensive sites, many communities have other places for customers to access workforce services, often called “satellites.” These locations may include libraries, technical colleges, welfare offices, community based organizations, and mall kiosks. 

A wide range of quality services is available at no cost to individuals (and employers) at One-Stop Centers, with most centers offering a new customer orientation to their job seeker services. Typical services for individuals include exploration of training/education offerings, financial aid application assistance, labor market information about high growth occupations and salary ranges, and tips for surviving a layoff. Many of these basic services are available on a self-service basis via computer for customers who are interested in this approach. 

Career advisors are available for customers who want more intensive help: 
Exploring careers and making career choices, assessing skills, abilities and interests… 
Learning about the full range of workforce-related services in the community, including services for persons who are laid off, youth, persons with disabilities, older workers… 
Finding out where to get training, including classroom training, on-the-job training and customized training if available… 
Putting together a financial aid strategy to help meet the expenses of education and training… 
Addressing special needs or circumstances that have made it hard to get or retain a job… 
Exploring support services such as childcare or transportation services while attending school or working… 

In Georgia, there are 19 local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) service delivery areas. Each area is responsible for designing local One-Stop workforce systems that are employer-led, demand-driven, customer-friendly, and continuously improving. Individuals seeking services are encouraged to reach out to the SDA designated for the county in which they reside or have been laid off in.

To find your WIOA service center, visit ATLWorks.org.