What are Workforce Development Systems?

The phrase “Workforce Development System” comes from the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.  The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was signed on August 7, 1998, and is the first major reform in the nations job training system in more than 15 years. WIA calls for a new “system” that “consolidates, coordinates, and improves employment, training, literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs in the United States” in an effort to provide universal access to services, as well as, satisfaction among jobseekers and businesses.  (Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Public Law 105-220)

Workforce Development Systems are developing throughout the United States since they are the result of the federal Workforce Investment Act.  These systems became effective July 1, 2000, the day WIA was implemented throughout the U.S.  Workforce Development Systems are taking different appearances throughout the country, but in New York State they are usually broken up by counties.

Four Workforce Development Systems exist within the Mid-Hudson Library System service area.  They include the Columbia-Greene Workforce Development System, the Ulster County Workforce Development System (www.wdsny.org/ulster), the Dutchess County One-Stop Employment and Training System (www.dutchessworks.com), and the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Partnership (www.wdsny.org/putnam).