The work-centered approach of welfare reform calls for linkages between the welfare-to-work programs and workforce development systems. The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) aims to create a work-centered one-stop delivery system that is business oriented. The WIA mandates universal access and customer choice to core services and gives priority for training and intensive services to:
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TANF applicants and recipients
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youth and unskilled adults for entry into labor market
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economically disadvantaged and individuals facing barriers to employment
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dislocated workers
What is the Office of Workforce Investment?
The Westchester County Office of Workforce Investment (OWI) provides comprehensive state-of-the-art workforce development services to both job seekers and employers. It works in conjunction with the private sector, government and educational institutions, community based organizations, and other agencies associated with the employment and training community, to form a seamless network. Its goal is to deliver the most extensive workforce development services to the citizens of Westchester County.
The OWI has developed a partnership with economic development agencies, business organizations, educational institutions, community based organizations and other workforce development agencies through Putnam and Westchester counties to develop a One Stop service delivery system. This system consists of One Stop Career Centers, core and satellite offices through which both business and job seekers may access a vast array of services. Partner agencies located on site bring a wide range of services into the workforce development mall (full service center) and mini mall (satellite).
What services are provided by the OWI for business?
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Local labor market information
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Employee recruitment
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Posting of job openings
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Business resource information, including tax and other incentives
What services are provided by the OWI for job seekers?
Core Services:
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Determination of eligibility for WIA and other services
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Outreach, intake, profiling, information on community services
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Initial assessments including support needs
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Local labor market information
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Self resources - interviewing skills, resume writing, computer skills workshops
Intensive Services:
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Comprehensive and special assessments
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Diagnostic testing
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Identification of employment barriers
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Individual service strategy/Individual employment plan development
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Group and individual Services
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Case management
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Life skills/Job club
Training Services:
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Occupational skills training
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Workplace training and instruction
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Private sector training
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Skill upgrading and retraining
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Entrepreneurial training
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Job readiness training
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Employer sponsored training
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On-the-job training
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Customized training
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Basic skills combined with occupational skills
What are Post Employment Services?
Job retention and career advancement strategies are key ingredients for economic self-sufficiency, helping recipients to stay employed and improve the quality of their jobs over time through higher wages, better benefits, and greater job security. Programs include not only post-employment services but also pre-employment skill development programs and support services that enable recipients to qualify for and maintain jobs. A wide range of strategies include continuing support services following employment, mentoring, post-employment education and training, and developing employer consortia to improve advancement opportunities. In the push to move welfare recipients into employment, retention and advancement strategies offer real benefits to recipients and employers such as increased employability, opportunities for wage increases and promotions, improved morale, and higher job performance.
For additional information please visit at 134 Grand Street, White Plains, New York from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, except holidays, call (914) 995-3910, or visit the Westchester Putnam Local Workforce Investment System web site.
