Using the Workforce Investment Act to Serve Mature and Older Workers

摘要

Implementation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA, Public Law 105-220, enacted Aug. 7, 1998) will significantly affect the way in which mature workers can be served in both the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), authorized by Title V of the Older Americans Act (OAA), and in other federally funded employment programs formerly authorized under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and redesigned under the new WIA authority. The WIA is intended to consolidate and streamline the numerous federal employment programs and provide states and localities with more discretion to design and monitor workforce development strategies to meet their own labor market needs. WIA emphasizes universal access to programs and services. Although WIA gives priority to lowincome individuals and welfare recipients, it eliminates specific targeting for certain populations, including older and disadvantaged workers. The Act repeals JTPA, including the Section 204(d) set-aside program for older workers, Title IIA adult programs for economically disadvantaged workers, and Title III for dislocated workers, which served many older workers under JTPA. Instead, WIA encourages state and local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) to develop integrated systems and one-stop centers that best meet the needs of their areas. Older workers and the pre-existing programs authorized under the OAA, including SCSEP, are now considered part of the overall workforce development system.