NASWA Hosts Administrators and Assistant Secretary Oats

On Thursday, March 22, 2012, NASWA hosted a conference call with Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Jane Oates and over 200 State Administrators and NASWA staff. The call served as a forum for Assistant Secretary Oates to explain the proposed Universal Displaced Worker program and the system rebranding initiative, including with the American Job Center Network proposed in the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Budget.
The Universal Displaced Worker (UDW) program would combine the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program with the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Dislocated Worker program. The Assistant Secretary said the new program would increase the menu of reemployment services to all dislocated workers, regardless of circumstances and serve nearly one million workers per year. Assistant Secretary Oates said the system rebranding proposal can be implemented through Executive Order and the implementation of the Universal Displaced Worker program would require Congressional action.

Two issues raised by administrators during the conference call focused on the classification of long-term unemployed and whether these workers would be eligible for the UDW program and what sort of carryover from TAA and WIA would be evident in the program. In regard to the long-term unemployed, Ms. Oates said ETA would work to create a standard definition for dislocated worker that would be responsive in all types of labor markets. The Assistant Secretary explained the American Job Center Network, is an effort by the Administration to address the lack of consistency among state workforce services brands that makes it difficult sometimes for employers and workers to locate resources. Assistant Secretary Oates said this initiative involves the creation of a new website and Jobcenter.USA.gov, to serve as a single point of access for employers looking to hire and workers seeking employment.

Ms. Oates assured administrators, the efforts by the Department of Labor are not meant to override existing state brands; rather USDOL is requesting states use the taglinepart of the American Job Center Network", so workers and employers know they can receive the same services at any One Stop Career Center regardless of state. Ms. Oates also acknowledged the great services provided through state job banks supported through the National Labor Exchange and agreed to work with states, NASWA and DirectEmployers in making it part of Jobcenter.USA.gov.