NEW WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT ‘More customer-oriented’ By MARIAN A. MARAYA

Employment services in the CNMI are expected to be more effective with the new Worforce Investment Act in place, according to WIA Executive Director Felix Nogis.

Compared to its previous counterpart, the Job Training Partnership act, no longer does the new act dictate what the consumers need, rather, it’s the clients who determine the type of services they ought to receive.

“Now, it’s the clients who outline what they need and it’s the job of the service providers to go out and look for it,” said Mr. Nogis.
Calling it more “customer-oriented,” Mr. Nogis has promised more enhanced services under the new system.

One major difference between JTPA and WIA, he cited, is that the latter highlights the agency’s self-determination where it has been accorded authority by the US Department of Labor to oversee and develop its own programs relevant to the local situation.

“Under JTPA, we were more restricted in that we had to follow stringent rules. But in the new act, it gives us the leeway to determine whatever policy is attainable and realistic for our jurisdiction,” said Mr. Nogis.

The workforce investment board made up of high-ranking local leaders will not only oversee the efforts by the Workforce Investment Agency but also consolidate all employment and training programs in pursuit of a common goal.

The board’s main objective is to address all training and employment initiatives within the state.

Under the former JTPA, Mr. Nogis added, the executive director was not allowed membership to the board. But under WIA, Mr. Nogis has been included among 16 other appointed workforce investment board members.

“It is the intent of the board bring together the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Northern Marianas College, Public School System, and all the programs that have emphasis on employment and training. We develop a plan in accordance with the guidelines we were provided with,” the executive director explained.

Agencies that fail to be responsive to customer needs could face serious sanctions such as funding forfeiture, according to Mr. Nogis.

A disadvantage to the newly-adopted system, he continued, is that the agency under WIA is no longer free to consolidate its funds.

“Under JTPA, we were able to consolidate the funding and that’s applicable to most of the Pacific jurisdictions where you don’t have to use funds just for one project category,” he explained.

The new act mandates that all funds be used per allocation based on the funding stream requirement which include the youth, adults, and dislocated workers.

WIA, as the lead agency, has authority to disburse a total of $516,355 for its three main project categories: $153,481 for adults, $106,153 for youth, and $256,721 for dislocated workers.

But the WIA board has yet to meet and draft a comprehensive memorandum of understanding on the proposed employment services partnership eyed to jump-start a revamped process of job-seeking, assessment, and skills training.

Mr. Nogis said the conception of the partnership agreement is the most critical step in the whole process of revitalizing the Commonwealth’s employment services.