LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS WARN OF NEGATIVE IMPACT TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY IF

FUNDING IS CUT FOR WORKFORCE PROGRAMS

While Congress is considering whether or not to cut funding for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), members of the Madison-Bond Workforce Investment Board want to educate local residents and leaders on its positive impact on the economy and the need to keep it alive.

WIA provides funding for the delivery of workforce development services at a local level and is instrumental in training individuals for living-wage occupations. According to David Stoecklin, executive director of the Madison County Employment and Training Department "Ninety cents o f every WIA dollar is spent on training and providing services. In this time of recession and high unemployment of nearly 9 percent, WIA is not where legislators should focus their cuts. WIA does not cost the taxpayer. Instead, it actually generates money by training unemployed, underemployed, and laid-off workers so they can provide for themselves and their families."

Simply put, through a system of workNet centers in the state, WIA funding supports programs that help individuals find jobs and helps businesses find the right employees. The bulk of WIA dollars helps pay for tuition, fees, books, and supplies for individuals training for high-growth occupations that require a degree or credentialing.

For those looking for employment or to upgrade their skills, the workNet centers provide computer and Internet access resume writing assistance, job search workshops, hiring events, career planning and more. WIA also provides funding for an array of services for businesses, which help with applicant assessment, employee recruitment, workshops for laid-off workers, job fairs and job postings.

In the last two years there have been 1,877 individuals enrolled in WIA in the bi-county region, and there have been 613 job placements at over 250 businesses. Hundreds are currently enrolled in high-growth industry training programs.

As featured recently on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, the country is undergoing a shift away from old-line manufacturing and workers need to develop new skills sets. "As many of the jobs lost in the current recession will be replaced with high-tech positions, the `new workforce' will need a higher level of math, reading, reasoning, and computer skills. The same holds true for many non-manufacturing jobs, as all businesses are striving to be more efficient in these lean times," Stoecklin adds.

The Madison-Bond Workforce Investment Board, which oversees MCETD's administration of WIA funds, is seeking the support of local residents. The board, which consists of 39 members, over half of which represent private sector businesses, is asking other business leaders and area residents alike to voice their concerns about proposed funding cuts to Federal law makers.

Charlie Juneau of Juneau Associates, Inc., P.C., Chairman of the Madison-Bond Workforce Investment Board, says "We ask that area residents tell their (U.S.) Senators and Representatives: "No to WIA funding cuts. We cannot afford them." Area residents may also sign a national petition – Keep America Working – at www.thepetitionsite.com/5/keep-america‑Working

Local business leader and member of the Madison-Bond Workforce Investment Board, Paul Wellhausen, president of Lewis & Clark Marine, Inc., said about the local workforce programs, "Simple economics tells us that for every dollar paid in wages, there is a one dollar and eighty cents return to the economy. Trained workers also reduce the amount paid out in unemployment insurance, food stamps, Medicaid and other government services. The old Chinese proverb: 'Give a man a fish; he eats for a day; teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime,' could not be any more relevant."

FACTS ABOUT THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACTS LOCAL IMPACT (Madison and Bond Counties)

# of WIA enrollees: 1,877 (unduplicated)

# of customers served at all the one-stops: 23,147 universal customers

# job placements: 613 at over 250 businesses

# of businesses that were provided skills assessments for job seekers and employees: 7 # of job seekers tested for Conoco Phillips since 2006: approx. 4,100

# enrolled in incumbent worker training: approx. 135 (unduplicated) at 5 different businesses

# hiring events and job fairs: numerous