The City of Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board (WIB) oversees the expenditure of more than $50 million in public funds annually. Board members are appointed by the Mayor from the leadership ranks of the education, economic development and organized labor fields as well as other key players in the Los Angeles economy.

ABOUT THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA)

The federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) allows statewide and local organizations to access federal funds for the development of workforce development programs. Local communities offer services to benefit job seekers, workers who have been laid off, youth, incumbent workers, new entrants to the workforce, veterans, people with disabilities, and employers through the implementation of employment services at One-Stop Centers, also known as WorkSource, YouthSource, or FamilySource Centers. To view a complete list of centers in California, visit the WorkSource California website.

These organizations focus on increasing overall employment as well as workers' earnings, and retaining jobs and improving workers' occupational skills. Workforce investment is vital to the reduction of welfare dependency and the revitalization of the economy. Each year, the state of California receives approximately $450 million in federal funds to allocate to various workforce development strategies.

WIA SERVICES FOR YOUTH

Summer and year-round youth programs give young Angelenos the opportunity to attain employment skills and transition from high school to secondary education, employment, or both. Young people who enroll in the program can access services including tutoring, internships, job shadowing, work experience, adult mentoring, and counseling at local centers, called YouthSource or Youth Centers (previously known as OneSource). A list of available youth services and a map of youth centers can be found on the WIB's Services, Youth Job Seekers page.

• HIRE LA'S Youth is focused on connecting young people to local employment opportunities.
• LA Cash for College is a joint initiative sponsored by the WIB, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Development Department. Cash for College is targeted at expanding college access to students and families, providing them with information about financial aid and other college resources.

WIA SERVICES FOR ADULTS

One-Stop centers use varied strategies in providing the appropriate services to meet the needs of their adult customers. To find out what adult services are available near you, visit the WIB's Services, Adult Job Seekers page.

• Core Services are available and include labor market information, initial assessment of skill levels, and job search and placement assistance.
• Intensive Services are available to eligible unemployed individuals who have completed at least one core service, but have not been able to obtain employment, or employed individuals needing additional services to obtain or keep employment that will lead to personal self-sufficiency.
• Training Services are available to eligible individuals who have met the requirements for intensive services and have not been able to obtain or keep employment. Individual Training Accounts are established to finance training based upon the individual’s choice of selected training programs.

ADMINISTERING WIA: WHAT THE WIB DOES

The WIB, made up of representatives from businesses, labor organizations, educational institutions, and community organizations, helps to design and implement a local workforce development policy.