29 USC 3122 - Local workforce development boards

Collapse to view only § 3122. Local workforce development boards

§ 3121. Workforce development areas
§ 3122. Local workforce development boards
§ 3123. Local plan

§ 3121. Workforce development areas

(a) Regions

(1) Identification

(2) Types of regions

For purposes of this Act, the State shall identify—

(A) which regions are comprised of 1 local area that is aligned with the region;

(B) which regions are comprised of 2 or more local areas that are (collectively) aligned with the region (referred to as planning regions, consistent with section 3102 of this title); and

(C) which, of the regions described in subparagraph (B), are interstate areas contained within 2 or more States, and consist of labor market areas, economic development areas, or other appropriate contiguous subareas of those States.

(b) Local areas

(1) In general

(A) Process

Except as provided in subsection (d), and consistent with paragraphs (2) and (3), in order for a State to receive an allotment under section 3162(b) or 3172(b) of this title, the Governor of the State shall designate local workforce development areas within the State—

(i) through consultation with the State board; and

(ii) after consultation with chief elected officials and local boards, and after consideration of comments received through the public comment process as described in section 3112(b)(2)(E)(iii)(II) of this title.

(B) Considerations

The Governor shall designate local areas (except for those local areas described in paragraphs (2) and (3)) based on considerations consisting of the extent to which the areas—

(i) are consistent with labor market areas in the State;

(ii) are consistent with regional economic development areas in the State; and

(iii) have available the Federal and non-Federal resources necessary to effectively administer activities under part B and other applicable provisions of this Act, including whether the areas have the appropriate education and training providers, such as institutions of higher education and area career and technical education schools.

(2) Initial designation

(3) Subsequent designation

After the period for which a local area is initially designated under paragraph (2), the Governor shall approve a request for subsequent designation as a local area from such local area, if such area—

(A) performed successfully;

(B) sustained fiscal integrity; and

(4) Designation on recommendation of State board

(5) Areas served by rural concentrated employment programs

(6) Appeals

(7) Redesignation assistance

(1) Regional planning

The local boards and chief elected officials in each planning region described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2) shall engage in a regional planning process that results in—

(A) the preparation of a regional plan, as described in paragraph (2);

(B) the establishment of regional service strategies, including use of cooperative service delivery agreements;

(C) the development and implementation of sector initiatives for in-demand industry sectors or occupations for the region;

(D) the collection and analysis of regional labor market data (in conjunction with the State);

(E) the establishment of administrative cost arrangements, including the pooling of funds for administrative costs, as appropriate, for the region;

(F) the coordination of transportation and other supportive services, as appropriate, for the region;

(G) the coordination of services with regional economic development services and providers; and

(H) the establishment of an agreement concerning how the planning region will collectively negotiate and reach agreement with Governor 1

1 So in original.

on local levels of performance for, and report on, the performance accountability measures described in section 3141(c) of this title, for local areas or the planning region.

(2) Regional plans

(3) References

In this Act, and the core program provisions that are not in this Act:

(A) Local area

(B) Local plan

(d) Single State local areas

(1) Continuation of previous designation

(2) Effect on local plan and local functions

(e) Definitions

For purposes of this section:

(1) Performed successfully

(2) Sustained fiscal integrity

(Pub. L. 113–128, title I, § 106, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1452; Pub. L. 114–18, § 2(a)(1), May 22, 2015, 129 Stat. 213.)

§ 3122. Local workforce development boards

(a) Establishment

(b) Membership

(1) State criteria

(2) CompositionSuch criteria shall require that, at a minimum—

(A) a majority of the members of each local board shall be representatives of business in the local area, who—

(i) are owners of businesses, chief executives or operating officers of businesses, or other business executives or employers with optimum policymaking or hiring authority;

(ii) represent businesses, including small businesses, or organizations representing businesses described in this clause, that provide employment opportunities that, at a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and development in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the local area; and

(iii) are appointed from among individuals nominated by local business organizations and business trade associations;

(B) not less than 20 percent of the members of each local board shall be representatives of the workforce within the local area, who—

(i) shall include representatives of labor organizations (for a local area in which employees are represented by labor organizations), who have been nominated by local labor federations, or (for a local area in which no employees are represented by such organizations) other representatives of employees;

(ii) shall include a representative, who shall be a member of a labor organization or a training director, from a joint labor-management apprenticeship program, or if no such joint program exists in the area, such a representative of an apprenticeship program in the area, if such a program exists;

(iii) may include representatives of community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment needs of individuals with barriers to employment, including organizations that serve veterans or that provide or support competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities; and

(iv) may include representatives of organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of eligible youth, including representatives of organizations that serve out-of-school youth;

(C) each local board shall include representatives of entities administering education and training activities in the local area, who—

(i) shall include a representative of eligible providers administering adult education and literacy activities under subchapter II;

(ii) shall include a representative of institutions of higher education providing workforce investment activities (including community colleges);

(iii) may include representatives of local educational agencies, and of community-based organizations with demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the education or training needs of individuals with barriers to employment;

(D) each local board shall include representatives of governmental and economic and community development entities serving the local area, who—

(i) shall include a representative of economic and community development entities;

(ii) shall include an appropriate representative from the State employment service office under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.) serving the local area;

(iii) shall include an appropriate representative of the programs carried out under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.), other than section 112 or part C of that title (29 U.S.C. 732, 741), serving the local area;

(iv) may include representatives of agencies or entities administering programs serving the local area relating to transportation, housing, and public assistance; and

(v) may include representatives of philanthropic organizations serving the local area; and

(E) each local board may include such other individuals or representatives of entities as the chief elected official in the local area may determine to be appropriate.

(3) Chairperson

(4) Standing committees

(A) In generalThe local board may designate and direct the activities of standing committees to provide information and to assist the local board in carrying out activities under this section. Such standing committees shall be chaired by a member of the local board, may include other members of the local board, and shall include other individuals appointed by the local board who are not members of the local board and who the local board determines have appropriate experience and expertise. At a minimum, the local board may designate each of the following:

(i) A standing committee to provide information and assist with operational and other issues relating to the one-stop delivery system, which may include as members representatives of the one-stop partners.

(ii) A standing committee to provide information and to assist with planning, operational, and other issues relating to the provision of services to youth, which shall include community-based organizations with a demonstrated record of success in serving eligible youth.

(iii) A standing committee to provide information and to assist with operational and other issues relating to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities, including issues relating to compliance with section 3248 of this title, if applicable, and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) regarding providing programmatic and physical access to the services, programs, and activities of the one-stop delivery system, as well as appropriate training for staff on providing supports for or accommodations to, and finding employment opportunities for, individuals with disabilities.

(B) Additional committees

(5) Authority of board members

(6) Special rule

(1) Appointment of board members and assignment of responsibilities

(A) In general

(B) Multiple units of local government in area

(i) In generalIn a case in which a local area includes more than 1 unit of general local government, the chief elected officials of such units may execute an agreement that specifies the respective roles of the individual chief elected officials—(I) in the appointment of the members of the local board from the individuals nominated or recommended to be such members in accordance with the criteria established under subsection (b); and(II) in carrying out any other responsibilities assigned to such officials under this subchapter.

(ii) Lack of agreement

(2) Certification

(A) In general

(B) Criteria

(3) Decertification

(A) Fraud, abuse, failure to carry out functionsNotwithstanding paragraph (2), the Governor shall have the authority to decertify a local board at any time after providing notice and an opportunity for comment, for—

(i) fraud or abuse; or

(ii) failure to carry out the functions specified for the local board in subsection (d).

(B) Nonperformance

(4) Single State local area

(A) State board

(B) References

(i) In general

(ii) Plans

(iii) Performance accountability measures

(d) Functions of local boardConsistent with section 3123 of this title, the functions of the local board shall include the following:

(1) Local plan

(2) Workforce research and regional labor market analysisIn order to assist in the development and implementation of the local plan, the local board shall—

(A) carry out analyses of the economic conditions in the region, the needed knowledge and skills for the region, the workforce in the region, and workforce development activities (including education and training) in the region described in section 3123(b)(1)(D) of this title, and regularly update such information;

(B) assist the Governor in developing the statewide workforce and labor market information system described in section 15(e) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49l–2(e)), specifically in the collection, analysis, and utilization of workforce and labor market information for the region; and

(C) conduct such other research, data collection, and analysis related to the workforce needs of the regional economy as the board, after receiving input from a wide array of stakeholders, determines to be necessary to carry out its functions.

(3) Convening, brokering, leveraging

(4) Employer engagementThe local board shall lead efforts to engage with a diverse range of employers and with entities in the region involved—

(A) to promote business representation (particularly representatives with optimal policymaking or hiring authority from employers whose employment opportunities reflect existing and emerging employment opportunities in the region) on the local board;

(B) to develop effective linkages (including the use of intermediaries) with employers in the region to support employer utilization of the local workforce development system and to support local workforce investment activities;

(C) to ensure that workforce investment activities meet the needs of employers and support economic growth in the region, by enhancing communication, coordination, and collaboration among employers, economic development entities, and service providers; and

(D) to develop and implement proven or promising strategies for meeting the employment and skill needs of workers and employers (such as the establishment of industry and sector partnerships), that provide the skilled workforce needed by employers in the region, and that expand employment and career advancement opportunities for workforce development system participants in in-demand industry sectors or occupations.

(5) Career pathways development

(6) Proven and promising practicesThe local board shall lead efforts in the local area to—

(A) identify and promote proven and promising strategies and initiatives for meeting the needs of employers, and workers and jobseekers (including individuals with barriers to employment) in the local workforce development system, including providing physical and programmatic accessibility, in accordance with section 3248 of this title, if applicable, and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), to the one-stop delivery system; and

(B) identify and disseminate information on proven and promising practices carried out in other local areas for meeting such needs.

(7) TechnologyThe local board shall develop strategies for using technology to maximize the accessibility and effectiveness of the local workforce development system for employers, and workers and jobseekers, by—

(A) facilitating connections among the intake and case management information systems of the one-stop partner programs to support a comprehensive workforce development system in the local area;

(B) facilitating access to services provided through the one-stop delivery system involved, including facilitating the access in remote areas;

(C) identifying strategies for better meeting the needs of individuals with barriers to employment, including strategies that augment traditional service delivery, and increase access to services and programs of the one-stop delivery system, such as improving digital literacy skills; and

(D) leveraging resources and capacity within the local workforce development system, including resources and capacity for services for individuals with barriers to employment.

(8) Program oversightThe local board, in partnership with the chief elected official for the local area, shall—

(A)

(i) conduct oversight for local youth workforce investment activities authorized under section 3164(c) of this title, local employment and training activities authorized under subsections (c) and (d) of section 3174 of this title, and the one-stop delivery system in the local area; and

(ii) ensure the appropriate use and management of the funds provided under part B for the activities and system described in clause (i); and

(B) for workforce development activities, ensure the appropriate use, management, and investment of funds to maximize performance outcomes under section 3141 of this title.

(9) Negotiation of local performance accountability measures

(10) Selection of operators and providers

(A) Selection of one-stop operatorsConsistent with section 3151(d) of this title, the local board, with the agreement of the chief elected official for the local area—

(i) shall designate or certify one-stop operators as described in section 3151(d)(2)(A) of this title; and

(ii) may terminate for cause the eligibility of such operators.

(B) Selection of youth providersConsistent with section 3153 of this title, the local board—

(i) shall identify eligible providers of youth workforce investment activities in the local area by awarding grants or contracts on a competitive basis (except as provided in section 3153(b) of this title), based on the recommendations of the youth standing committee, if such a committee is established for the local area under subsection (b)(4); and

(ii) may terminate for cause the eligibility of such providers.

(D) Identification of eligible providers of career services

(E) Consumer choice requirements

(11) Coordination with education providers

(A) In general

(B) Applications and agreementsThe coordination described in subparagraph (A) shall include—

(i) consistent with section 3322 of this title—(I) reviewing the applications to provide adult education and literacy activities under subchapter II for the local area, submitted under such section to the eligible agency by eligible providers, to determine whether such applications are consistent with the local plan; and(II) making recommendations to the eligible agency to promote alignment with such plan; and

(ii) replicating cooperative agreements in accordance with subparagraph (B) of section 101(a)(11) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 721(a)(11)[(B)]), and implementing cooperative agreements in accordance with that section with the local agencies administering plans under title I of that Act (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.) (other than section 112 or part C of that title (29 U.S.C. 732, 741) and subject to section 3151(f) of this title), with respect to efforts that will enhance the provision of services to individuals with disabilities and other individuals, such as cross training of staff, technical assistance, use and sharing of information, cooperative efforts with employers, and other efforts at cooperation, collaboration, and coordination.

(12) Budget and administration

(A) Budget

(B) Administration

(i) Grant recipient(I) In general(II) Designation(III) Disbursal

(ii) Grants and donations

(iii) Tax-exempt status

(13) Accessibility for individuals with disabilities

(e) Sunshine provision

(f) Staff

(1) In general

(2) Qualifications

(3) Limitation on rate

(g) Limitations

(1) Training services

(A) In general

(B) Waivers of training prohibitionThe Governor of the State in which a local board is located may, pursuant to a request from the local board, grant a written waiver of the prohibition set forth in subparagraph (A) (relating to the provision of training services) for a program of training services, if the local board—

(i) submits to the Governor a proposed request for the waiver that includes—(I) satisfactory evidence that there is an insufficient number of eligible providers of such a program of training services to meet local demand in the local area;(II) information demonstrating that the board meets the requirements for an eligible provider of training services under section 3152 of this title; and(III) information demonstrating that the program of training services prepares participants for an in-demand industry sector or occupation in the local area;

(ii) makes the proposed request available to eligible providers of training services and other interested members of the public for a public comment period of not less than 30 days; and

(iii) includes, in the final request for the waiver, the evidence and information described in clause (i) and the comments received pursuant to clause (ii).

(D) Revocation

(2) Career services; designation or certification as one-stop operators

(3) Limitation on authority

(h) Conflict of interestA member of a local board, or a member of a standing committee, may not—

(1) vote on a matter under consideration by the local board—

(A) regarding the provision of services by such member (or by an entity that such member represents); or

(B) that would provide direct financial benefit to such member or the immediate family of such member; or

(2) engage in any other activity determined by the Governor to constitute a conflict of interest as specified in the State plan.

(i) Alternative entity

(1) In generalFor purposes of complying with subsections (a), (b), and (c), a State may use any local entity (including a local council, regional workforce development board, or similar entity) that—

(A) is established to serve the local area (or the service delivery area that most closely corresponds to the local area);

(B) was in existence on the day before August 7, 1998, pursuant to State law; and

(i) representatives of business in the local area; and

(ii)(I) representatives of labor organizations (for a local area in which employees are represented by labor organizations), nominated by local labor federations; or(II) other representatives of employees in the local area (for a local area in which no employees are represented by such organizations).

(2) References

(Pub. L. 113–128, title I, § 107, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1456; Pub. L. 114–18, § 2(b), May 22, 2015, 129 Stat. 213.)

§ 3123. Local plan

(a) In general

(b) ContentsThe local plan shall include—

(1) a description of the strategic planning elements consisting of—

(A) an analysis of the regional economic conditions including—

(i) existing and emerging in-demand industry sectors and occupations; and

(ii) the employment needs of employers in those industry sectors and occupations;

(B) an analysis of the knowledge and skills needed to meet the employment needs of the employers in the region, including employment needs in in-demand industry sectors and occupations;

(C) an analysis of the workforce in the region, including current labor force employment (and unemployment) data, and information on labor market trends, and the educational and skill levels of the workforce in the region, including individuals with barriers to employment;

(D) an analysis of the workforce development activities (including education and training) in the region, including an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of such services, and the capacity to provide such services, to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the region;

(E) a description of the local board’s strategic vision and goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce (including youth and individuals with barriers to employment), including goals relating to the performance accountability measures based on primary indicators of performance described in section 3141(b)(2)(A) of this title in order to support regional economic growth and economic self-sufficiency; and

(F) taking into account analyses described in subparagraphs (A) through (D), a strategy to work with the entities that carry out the core programs to align resources available to the local area, to achieve the strategic vision and goals described in subparagraph (E);

(2) a description of the workforce development system in the local area that identifies the programs that are included in that system and how the local board will work with the entities carrying out core programs and other workforce development programs to support alignment to provide services, including programs of study authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), that support the strategy identified in the State plan under section 3112(b)(1)(E) of this title;

(3) a description of how the local board, working with the entities carrying out core programs, will expand access to employment, training, education, and supportive services for eligible individuals, particularly eligible individuals with barriers to employment, including how the local board will facilitate the development of career pathways and co-enrollment, as appropriate, in core programs, and improve access to activities leading to a recognized postsecondary credential (including a credential that is an industry-recognized certificate or certification, portable, and stackable);

(4) a description of the strategies and services that will be used in the local area—

(A) in order to—

(i) facilitate engagement of employers, including small employers and employers in in-demand industry sectors and occupations, in workforce development programs;

(ii) support a local workforce development system that meets the needs of businesses in the local area;

(iii) better coordinate workforce development programs and economic development; and

(iv) strengthen linkages between the one-stop delivery system and unemployment insurance programs; and

(B) that may include the implementation of initiatives such as incumbent worker training programs, on-the-job training programs, customized training programs, industry and sector strategies, career pathways initiatives, utilization of effective business intermediaries, and other business services and strategies, designed to meet the needs of employers in the corresponding region in support of the strategy described in paragraph (1)(F);

(5) a description of how the local board will coordinate workforce investment activities carried out in the local area with economic development activities carried out in the region in which the local area is located (or planning region), and promote entrepreneurial skills training and microenterprise services;

(6) a description of the one-stop delivery system in the local area, including—

(A) a description of how the local board will ensure the continuous improvement of eligible providers of services through the system and ensure that such providers meet the employment needs of local employers, and workers and jobseekers;

(B) a description of how the local board will facilitate access to services provided through the one-stop delivery system, including in remote areas, through the use of technology and through other means;

(C) a description of how entities within the one-stop delivery system, including one-stop operators and the one-stop partners, will comply with section 3248 of this title, if applicable, and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) regarding the physical and programmatic accessibility of facilities, programs and services, technology, and materials for individuals with disabilities, including providing staff training and support for addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities; and

(D) a description of the roles and resource contributions of the one-stop partners;

(7) a description and assessment of the type and availability of adult and dislocated worker employment and training activities in the local area;

(8) a description of how the local board will coordinate workforce investment activities carried out in the local area with statewide rapid response activities, as described in section 3174(a)(2)(A) of this title;

(9) a description and assessment of the type and availability of youth workforce investment activities in the local area, including activities for youth who are individuals with disabilities, which description and assessment shall include an identification of successful models of such youth workforce investment activities;

(10) a description of how the local board will coordinate education and workforce investment activities carried out in the local area with relevant secondary and postsecondary education programs and activities to coordinate strategies, enhance services, and avoid duplication of services;

(11) a description of how the local board will coordinate workforce investment activities carried out under this subchapter in the local area with the provision of transportation, including public transportation, and other appropriate supportive services in the local area;

(12) a description of plans and strategies for, and assurances concerning, maximizing coordination of services provided by the State employment service under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.) and services provided in the local area through the one-stop delivery system, to improve service delivery and avoid duplication of services;

(13) a description of how the local board will coordinate workforce investment activities carried out under this subchapter in the local area with the provision of adult education and literacy activities under subchapter II in the local area, including a description of how the local board will carry out, consistent with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of section 3122(d)(11) of this title and section 3322 of this title, the review of local applications submitted under subchapter II;

(14) a description of the replicated cooperative agreements (as defined in section 3122(d)(11) of this title) between the local board or other local entities described in section 101(a)(11)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 721(a)(11)(B)) and the local office of a designated State agency or designated State unit administering programs carried out under title I of such Act (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.) (other than section 112 or part C of that title (29 U.S.C. 732, 741) and subject to section 3151(f) of this title) in accordance with section 101(a)(11) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 721(a)(11)) with respect to efforts that will enhance the provision of services to individuals with disabilities and to other individuals, such as cross training of staff, technical assistance, use and sharing of information, cooperative efforts with employers, and other efforts at cooperation, collaboration, and coordination;

(15) an identification of the entity responsible for the disbursal of grant funds described in section 3122(d)(12)(B)(i)(III) of this title, as determined by the chief elected official or the Governor under section 3122(d)(12)(B)(i) of this title;

(16) a description of the competitive process to be used to award the subgrants and contracts in the local area for activities carried out under this subchapter;

(17) a description of the local levels of performance negotiated with the Governor and chief elected official pursuant to section 3141(c) of this title, to be used to measure the performance of the local area and to be used by the local board for measuring the performance of the local fiscal agent (where appropriate), eligible providers under part B, and the one-stop delivery system, in the local area;

(18) a description of the actions the local board will take toward becoming or remaining a high-performing board, consistent with the factors developed by the State board pursuant to section 3111(d)(6) of this title;

(19) a description of how training services under subpart 3 of part B will be provided in accordance with section 3174(c)(3)(G) of this title, including, if contracts for the training services will be used, how the use of such contracts will be coordinated with the use of individual training accounts under that subpart and how the local board will ensure informed customer choice in the selection of training programs regardless of how the training services are to be provided;

(20) a description of the process used by the local board, consistent with subsection (d), to provide an opportunity for public comment, including comment by representatives of businesses and comment by representatives of labor organizations, and input into the development of the local plan, prior to submission of the plan;

(21) a description of how one-stop centers are implementing and transitioning to an integrated, technology-enabled intake and case management information system for programs carried out under this Act and programs carried out by one-stop partners; and

(22) such other information as the Governor may require.

(d) ProcessPrior to the date on which the local board submits a local plan under this section, the local board shall—

(1) make available copies of a proposed local plan to the public through electronic and other means, such as public hearings and local news media;

(2) allow members of the public, including representatives of business, representatives of labor organizations, and representatives of education to submit to the local board comments on the proposed local plan, not later than the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the proposed local plan is made available; and

(3) include with the local plan submitted to the Governor under this section any such comments that represent disagreement with the plan.

(e) Plan submission and approvalA local plan submitted to the Governor under this section (including a modification to such a local plan) shall be considered to be approved by the Governor at the end of the 90-day period beginning on the day the Governor receives the plan (including such a modification), unless the Governor makes a written determination during the 90-day period that—

(1) deficiencies in activities carried out under this part or part B have been identified, through audits conducted under section 3244 of this title or otherwise, and the local area has not made acceptable progress in implementing corrective measures to address the deficiencies;

(2) the plan does not comply with the applicable provisions of this Act; or

(3) the plan does not align with the State plan, including failing to provide for alignment of the core programs to support the strategy identified in the State plan in accordance with section 3112(b)(1)(E) of this title.

(Pub. L. 113–128, title I, § 108, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1466.)