CNMI soon to see increase in workforce training funds

A bill that would consolidate job-training programs under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 into a single funding stream, reform and strengthen the workforce investment of the United States and its territories, and put people back to work now awaits the signature of President Barack Obama.

H.R. 803, or the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, passed Congress by a vote of 415-6 on July 9 and was transmitted to the President on Tuesday.

According to Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), the passage of H.R. 803 means that the CNMI will soon “get additional help to bring U.S workers into the labor force.”

H.R. 803 will reauthorize appropriations for workforce investment systems for job training and employment services and adult education and family literacy programs.

The bill requires a state board to assist the governor by developing policies and programs to support a comprehensive statewide workforce development system and a statewide workforce and labor market information system.

“It is designed to give governors and workforce investment boards greater flexibility to use the money to meet local job needs,” Sablan said.

H.R. 803 requires strategies and services to engage employers and meet their needs and help at-risk youth and out-of-school youth in acquiring education, skills, credentials, and employment experience.

“Another important change are the new benchmarks to ensure that those who get training emerge with the skills and certifications they can use to get jobs,” Sablan said.

The bill also requires a plan on how states will provide employment training, including in advanced manufacturing, as well as supportive and placement services for veterans, including disabled and homeless veterans.

The bill will also require states to put in place strategies and services that will be used to assist and expedite reintegration of homeless veterans into the workforce.

Once the President signs the bill into law, it will allow a state to require local boards for a designated region to prepare a single plan that incorporates the elements of the local plan and is approved in lieu of separate local plans.

“The bill also focuses more of the funding set aside for youth under the age of 24 to those who are out of school,” Sablan said.

A stronger workforce

In an earlier statement, U.S Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez said the bill is good for workers, employers, and the economy as a whole.

“It will help more people succeed in 21st century jobs and punch their ticket to the middle class. And it will help businesses hire the world-class, highly-skilled workforce required to complete successfully in the global economy,” Perez stated.

He also stated the bill would align with regional economics and strengthen the network of about 2,500 American Job Centers, to deliver more comprehensive services to workers, job seekers, and employers.

“The bill will build closer ties among key workforce partners as we strive for a more job-driven approach to training and skills development,” Perez said.

“Better-trained workers; more profitable businesses; stronger, smarter investments in our people and our economy. Congress has demonstrated that these are principles that transcend partisanship,” he added.

According to Perez, Obama will sign the bill because it will build “a stronger workforce for our nation.”

CNMI DOL to wait for TEGL

According to CNMI Labor Secretary Edith Deleon Guerrero, if the President signs the bill, her department will be waiting for a “training and employment guidance letter” from their federal grantor.

CNMI Labor is under Region VI of San Francisco, Calif.

Deleon Guerrero did note that she recently visited San Francisco to discuss workforce development with the regional office.

“There will be a lot of changes and it will pretty much supersedes [local efforts] because it will be played at the state level,” Deleon Guerrero said.

“Its not final. Responsibility will fall under the grantor agency and will meet the intent and spirit of the law. So we’re watching for that,” Deleon Guerrero said.

Sablan said that as a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, “which had jurisdiction” over the bill, he is satisfied with the impact it will have on “our job training” efforts in the NMI.