Workforce-Development-logoThe state agency which oversees the unemployment system is asking for pubic comment on its proposal for the federal reform of the system.

Iowa Workforce Development spokesperson, Courtney Greene, says it has been more than a decade since there was an upgrade.

“WIOA, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, is the first federally enacted legislative reform of the workforce development system in 15 years. And it really redesigns how services for jobseekers, workers and employers are implemented,” Greene says. She says WIOA was signed into law in July 2014 after Congress passed the bill with wide bipartisan majorities.

“WIOA legislation encourages seamless integration of government, public and private sector organizations to help jobseekers receive the appropriate tools and resources at the right time when they are ready to enter or exit the job market,” according to Greene. She says they are now seeking public input on the plan.

“Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Iowa Department for the Blind have all worked together on this plan, and we want input from the public to make sure that it makes sense and that it really helps people to get the job that they need,” Greene says. She says anyone who is interested can submit comments.

The comment period ends on October 2nd and they want comments on the content, language and overall implementation of the plan. To see the plan and make comments, go to the , Iowa Workforce Development website at: iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov.

Radio Iowa