Training was held at the Springfield Hilton on January 31, 2006 to provide an overview of DCEO Incumbent Worker Training Programs.

Workforce Investment Act

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) approved the waiver request to allow local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs) in Illinois to divert up to 10 percent of their adult and dislocated worker local allocations to underwrite incumbent worker training programs.  LWIBs are now authorized to operate incumbent worker programs using these funds in the same manner (and with the same limitations) as the Governor may use 15 percent funds for the same purpose.  This authority will exist throughout the period of the current approved state plan.

The waiver allows LWIBs to develop a full continuum of training services that address the needs of the existing workforce, the unemployed, underemployed, and new entrants to the labor force; attract greater participation in the system by local businesses, encouraging the creation of strong public-private partnerships; and help LWIBs increase the market penetration of their local employer base and reach new customers for Illinois’ One-Stop System.

WIA Policy Letter 07-PL-33 Change 3 has been issued to provide instructions on implementing the new program authority granted under this waiver.  The WIA Incumbent Worker Training Presentation made by Jim O'Brien, DCEO Bureau of Workforce Development consultant, outlines the policy letter.

If Local Workforce Investment Boards have any questions concerning taking advantage of the waiver authority to provide incumbent worker training programs under WIA, please review the Question and Answer document developed from the training session, or contact the Planning Unit of the Bureau of Workforce Development at 217-558-2429.

A presentation was also made by Richalene Kozumplik, AHA Consulting.  To obtain a copy of her "Incumbent Worker Training - Getting Buy-In From Employers" handout, please contact Ricki at [email protected].

Employer Training Investment Program (State Funded)

The Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) helps keep Illinois workers’ skills in pace with new technologies and business practices, which, in turn, helps businesses increase productivity, reduce costs, improve quality and boost competitiveness. ETIP grants can reimburse Illinois companies for up to 50 percent of the cost of training their employees. Grants may be awarded to individual businesses, to original equipment manufacturers sponsoring multi-company training for employees of their Illinois supplier companies, and to intermediary organizations operating multi-company training projects.