Dec 29 -- The Department of Labor invites interested parties to submit nominations for individuals to serve on the Workforce Information Advisory Council (WIAC) and announces the procedures for those nominations. From the nominations received, the Department will fill all 14 slots on the Council. Nominations for individuals to serve on the WIAC must be submitted by February 27, 2023.
Section 15 of the Wagner-Peyser Act, 29 U.S.C. 49l 2, as amended by section 308 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), Public Law 113-128, requires the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to establish a WIAC.
The statute, as amended, requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Labor Statistics and the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, to formally consult at least twice annually with the WIAC to address: (1) evaluation and improvement of the nationwide workforce and labor market information system established by the Wagner-Peyser Act, and of the statewide systems that comprise the nationwide system, and (2) how the Department of Labor and the States will cooperate in the management of those systems. The Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), and in consultation with the WIAC and appropriate federal agencies, must also develop a two-year plan for management of the labor market information system. The statute generally prescribes how the plan is to be developed and implemented, outlines the contents of the plan, and requires the Secretary to submit the plan to designated authorizing committees in the House and Senate.
By law, the Secretary must “seek, review, and evaluate” recommendations from the WIAC, and respond in writing to the Council. The WIAC must make written recommendations to the Secretary on the evaluation and improvement of the workforce and labor market information system, including recommendations for the 2-year plan. The 2-year plan, in turn, must describe WIAC recommendations and the extent to which the plan incorporates them.
The Department anticipates that the WIAC will accomplish its objectives by, for example: (1) studying workforce and labor market information issues; (2) seeking and sharing information on innovative approaches, new technologies, and data to inform employment, skills training, and workforce and economic development decision making and policy; and (3) advising the Secretary on how the workforce and labor market information system can best support workforce development, planning, and program development.
Pertinent information about the WIAC, including recommendations, reports, background information, agendas, and meeting minutes, can be accessed at the WIAC's website located at
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa/wiac/meetings.
The Wagner-Peyser Act, at section 15(d)(2)(B), requires the WIAC to have 14 members, appointed by the Secretary. Each of the membership categories are explained in the WIAC charter, which can be found at
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa/wiac.
For purposes of this announcement, the Department is soliciting nominations for all membership categories. The categories and requirements are:
(1) Four members who are representatives of lead State agencies with responsibility for workforce investment activities, or State agencies described in Wagner-Peyser Act section 4 (agency designated or authorized by Governor to cooperate with the Secretary of Labor), who have been nominated by such agencies or by a national organization that represents such agencies;
(2) Four members who are representatives of the State workforce and labor market information directors affiliated with the State agencies responsible for the management and oversight of the workforce and labor market information system as described in Wagner-Peyser Act Section 15(e)(2), who have been nominated by the directors;
(3) One member who is a representative of providers of training services under WIOA section 122 (Identification of Eligible Providers of Training Services);
(4) One member who is a representative of economic development entities;
(5) One member who is a representative of businesses, who has been nominated by national business organizations or trade associations;
(6) One member who is a representative of labor organizations, who has been nominated by a national labor federation;
(7) One member who is a representative of local workforce development boards, who has been nominated by a national organization representing such boards; and
(8) One member who is a representative of research entities that use workforce and labor market information.
The Secretary must ensure that the membership of the WIAC is geographically diverse, and that no two members appointed under clauses (1), (2), and (7), above, represent the same State. Each member will be appointed for a term of three years. The Secretary will not appoint a member for any more than two consecutive terms. During the nominations period, any interested person or organization may nominate one or more qualified individuals for membership.
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-28344