Public Comment Period for State Workforce Plan Ends Tuesday

January 28, 2013

The proposal increases business input and directs more money into training for in-demand jobs

For Immediate Release: Jan. 28
Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

AUGUSTA?The public comment period on the plan put forth by the State Workforce Investment Board ends Tuesday, Jan. 29.

The five-year plan would direct how the state?s federal funding under the Workforce Investment Act will be used and would make several changes to the current system. The public comments will be submitted with the plan to the U.S. Department of Labor, which must approve the plan.

The plan reflects Gov. LePage?s desire to make workforce development part of a larger strategy of economic development and job creation. The plan?s goal is to increase local business involvement and put more money into training for in-demand jobs.

?We encourage businesses and anyone with an interest in job training to review the plan,? said Garret Oswald, director of the State Workforce Investment Board, referred to as the SWIB. ?This plan will direct how federal training dollars are invested in Maine over the next five years.?

?An executive summary, a video that describes the plan, and the plan itself are posted on the SWIB?s website,? he added.

Public comments may be sent via email to SWIB.DOL@maine.gov until Jan. 29. The plan, executive summary and video are available at http://www.maine.gov/swib/wia_plan.html .

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