The last reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act was in 1998. To say that times have changed would be an understatement. The testimony of this hearing's witnesses shows that people have ideas and tested practices that work. They just need the resources and the sustained commitment to have a world-class workforce development system that…

This paper presents the Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Subcommittee's fifth hearing in preparation for the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act. The last time the Workforce Investment Act reauthorized was in 1998. The Workforce Investment Act was designed to streamline and coordinate job training programs. It…

The competencies of the nation's workers have been improving steadily. However, the improvements have not kept pace with the increased skill demands imposed by technological advancement and the shift toward a service-based economy. Academic and functional literacy problems can only be alleviated by balancing school improvement efforts with…

The causes of youth unemployment--especially among poor and minority youths--are enmeshed in a web of social, educational, and economic forces acting on the lives of families. Some of these forces are out of the sphere of federal influence, but labor market industries and the education system also have important effects on the experience of youth…

The 1990 Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act established an accountability system for vocational education based on "outcomes" such as academic skill gains, job placement, and program completion. Current congressional proposals for workforce training differ in the emphasis they place on individuals,…

This congressional report contains testimony dealing with on-the-job and apprenticeship training programs. More specifically, the testimony focused on the employment problems, educational and training needs, and programs available to assist unemployed as well as underemployed Vietnam era veterans. Included among those agencies and organizations…

A strong vocational education program is essential for national economic recovery and growth. It is in the national interest to ensure that vocational education programs are of sufficient scope and quality to meet national skilled workforce requirements and alleviate the critical shortages of trained workers facing business, industry, and the…

Providing a summary of legislative activity in the First Session of the 105th Congress, this report describes the current status of legislation and appropriations of key interest to community colleges and presents the American Association of Community Colleges' (AACC's) position on these issues. Summaries are provided of 1997 Congressional…

Providing a summary of legislative activity in the First Session of the 104th Congress, this report describes the current status of legislation and appropriations of key interest to community colleges and the American Association of Community Colleges' (AACC's) position on these issues. Summaries are provided of 1995 Congressional activity in the…

While strongly supporting the passage of the Youth Act of 1980 (S-2385), the American Vocational Association (AVA) contends that improvements are needed in the bill in order to effect optimal linkages between employment and education agencies toward solving the youth unemployment problem. Specific changes would (1) further the potential of…

These congressional hearings contain testimony given in Washington, D.C. at nine hearings pertinent to the H.R. 6711 (Youth Act of 1980) and H.R. 6897 (Amendments to the Elementary Secondary Education Act of 1965). (These are bills to extend the authorization and improve youth training and employment programs, to extend the authorization of the…

This congressional report contains a discussion of the provisions of the Youth Act of 1980 (H.R. 6711) and presents dissenting views on the act. (The Youth Act of 1980 extends the authorization of and improves youth training and employment programs, extends the authorization of the private initiative program, and authorizes intensive and remedial…

This congressional report contains testimony pertaining to reauthorization of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, which was drafted to authorize funds for programs covered by the act and consolidate, coordinate, and improve employment, training, literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs in the United States. Statements were provided by three…

When interviewed in spring 2003, officials in 16 states with a demonstrated commitment to job training provided data on 30 state-financed programs in their states. An analysis of the data yielded the following findings: (1) when recent, long-term, and projected declines are considered, funding is declining for 22 of the 30 programs studied; (2) in…

The following three major issues should be addressed during the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) reauthorization debate: program objectives, program effectiveness, and CETA's reliability as a delivery system. Suggested as a tool to reduce unemployment, reduce inflation, reduce welfare dependency, and provide fiscal relief to state…