Links
Following are useful national, state, and Workforce Investment Board links to support your daily work. If you would like to see additional links here, please email Kerry Brooks.
Workforce Investment Board Links
National and Federal Organization Links
State Association Links
Industry Association Links
Industry Publication Links
Workforce Investment Boards
Click here to access state and local Workforce Investment Board web sites.
National and Federal Organizations
U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) administers federal government job training and worker dislocation programs, federal grants to states for public employment service programs, and unemployment insurance benefits. These services are primarily provided through state and local workforce development systems.
U.S. Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) was established under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 3121), as amended, to generate jobs, help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas of the United States. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas of the nation experiencing high unemployment, low income, or other severe economic distress.
ED was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
The American Association of Community Colleges is the primary advocacy organization for the nation's community colleges. The Association represents more than 1,100 associate degree-granting institutions and some 10 million students. AACC is a national voice for community colleges, which marked their 100th year of service to the nation in 2001. AACC is leading the celebration of the colleges as they provide learning opportunities to their students and communities and the nation.
AYPF’s mission is to broaden the awareness and understanding of policymakers and to strengthen the youth policymaking process by bridging policy, practice, and research. We do this by identifying the most pertinent high-quality information on youth issues available and providing a forum for prominent leaders in government, programming, and research, as well as the youth themselves, to share their viewpoints and expertise about the policies and practices that improve outcomes for all youth.
The Community Transportation Association of America is a national nonprofit, membership association committed to removing barriers to isolation and improving mobility for all people. Through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, the Association provides information and technical assistance to transportation providers, Workforce Investment Boards, One-Stop Career Centers and other groups to support communities in overcoming one of the most significant barriers preventing low-wage earners and persons with disabilities from getting and keeping jobs — transportation. This program, known as Joblinks, offers demonstration projects, technical assistance, publications and conferences.
Education Sector is an independent think tank that challenges conventional thinking in education policy. We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to achieving real, measurable impact in education, both by improving existing reform initiatives and by developing new, innovative solutions to our nation’s most pressing education problems. The ultimate beneficiaries of our work are students. Our mission is to promote changes in policy and practice that lead to improved student opportunities and outcomes.
The Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston supports the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the community. As practitioners, researchers, and teachers, we form partnerships with individuals, families, and communities. Together we advocate for personal choice, self-determination, and social and economic justice.
Institute for Educational Leadership, Inc. (IEL)
The Institute for Educational Leadership's (IEL) mission is to improve education -- and the lives of children and their families -- through positive and visionary change. Every day, we face that challenge by bringing together diverse constituencies and empowering leaders with knowledge and applicable ideas. This is why foundations, corporations and generous individuals support our work, and why our teams often include the most innovative federal, state and local government agencies and many of the nation's leading nonprofit organizations.
International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession. When we succeed, our members create more high-quality jobs, develop more vibrant communities, and generally improve the quality of life in their regions.
National Association of State Workforce Agencies
The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) is an organization of state administrators of unemployment insurance laws, employment services, training programs, employment statistics and labor market information and other programs and services provided through publicly-funded state workforce systems.
The National Center on Education & the Economy is dedicated to providing the policies, tools, and technical assistance the nation needs to lead the world in education and training.
The National Center on Workforce and Disability/Adult (NCWD) provides training, technical assistance, policy analysis, and information to improve access for all in the workforce development system. NCWD's areas of expertise include designing access for all, accommodations & assistive technology, developing employer relationships, helping customers find jobs, job-related support, legal requirements & guidelines, partnerships & funding, disability policy, and marketing & outreach.
The National League of Cities is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance.
National Workforce Association
The National Workforce Association is a membership organization dedicated to strengthening the nation's workforce development system. Formerly called the National Association of County Training and Employment Professionals, NWA is one of the largest of over 23 affiliates with NACo (National Association of Counties).
National Association of Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo provides essential services to the nation’s 3,066 counties. NACo advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public's understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research, and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.
National Youth Employment Coalition
The National Youth Employment Coalition is a membership organization that improves the effectiveness of organizations that seek to help youth become productive citizens.
The Workforce Alliance
The Workforce Alliance (TWA) is a national coalition of community-based organizations, community colleges, unions, business leaders and local officials advocating for public policies that invest in the skills of America's workers, so they can better support their families and help American businesses better compete in today's economy.
Thomas Library of Congress
In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, legislative information from the Library of Congress.
U.S. Conference of Mayors
The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,139 such cities in the country today. Each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected offical, the mayor.
US Workforce - Employment Resource
Workforce Innovations
Workforce Innovations - annual conference sponsored by USDOL.
WorkforceInfo.org
Quick access to Labor Market Information for Workforce Boards and Economic Developers, Businesses, Job Seekers and Policymakers.
State Associations
California Workforce Association
The California Workforce Association is a non-profit membership organization that develops public policy strategies and builds local capacity to address critical workforce issues. CWA represents the 50 Workforce Investment Boards, over 200 One-Stop Career Centers and other workforce development partners in California. Our members include local non-profits, government, educational institutions and community based organizations involved in training, education, economic development, welfare, and employment. California Workforce Investment Boards are private sector-led boards focused on strategic solutions to workforce issues in their regions.
Employment Services of Weld County is a comprehensive workforce center which connects resources for employment, education, and training services. The ESWC offers these services at the local, state, and national level.
The mission of Illinois Workforce Partnership is to promote the sharing of information among Workforce Investment Boards, Chief Elected Officials, One-Stop Partners and other interested parties; formulate policy positions that impact Local Workforce Investment Areas and communicate those positions at both the state and federal level; actively promote employment and training, economic development and educational systems; enhance local systems by aggressively pursuing coordination, resource sharing and the reduction of duplicated services; provide input into the formulation of state guidelines and procedures, that directly affect Local Workforce Investment Areas; address local employment and training, economic development, welfare reform and educational issues; and work with federal, state and local entities to ensure continuous quality staff development.
The Maryland Institute for Employment and Training Professionals provides staff development and networking opportunities for professionals from a wide variety of organizations involved in developing the skills of the nation's workforce.
The Massachusetts Workforce Board Association is a business-led organization representing the 16 member regional workforce boards' employers, representatives of labor, higher education, business and industry associations, economic development and workforce organizations, which provides leadership in workforce development in each region across the Commonwealth. The Association conducts timely labor market analysis, brokers relationships between business and industry and providers of education and training programs, and sets policy concerning management and allocation of federal and state workforce development resources to best serve job seekers and employers in their regions.
Michigan Works! Association is recognized nationally as the largest and most progressive workforce development association in the country. The Association's members are the Workforce Development Boards, Local Elected Officials, and Michigan Works! Agency Directors from all of Michigan's 25 workforce areas. Michigan Works! was established in 1987 to foster high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's workforce development system. That system has been recognized by the National Alliance of Business as the most innovative in the country.
The Minnesota Workforce Council Association believes workforce development is the key economic development issue in our economy. Minnesota is competing nationally and internationally to maintain and further the exceptional quality of life that has defined the state. The availability of a highly skilled workforce is essential in this endeavor. MWCA represents the cooperative efforts of the local workforce development system across the state. Each area’s workforce board and local elected officials provide leadership and direction for local workforce development programs, which are tailored to meet the specific needs of their communities. The Association provides a central forum for the partners to discuss common interests, develop policy consensus, share successful strategies and maintain lines of communication with state and federal governments. MWCA also supports training and technical assistance for Association membership and line staff providing the direct services to customers.
The New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) is the organization that promotes, enhances, and serves the interests of local workforce investment agencies and system partners in New York State. NYATEP represents the thirty-three Workforce Investment Areas who administer federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs, as well as other federal, State and local workforce development initiatives across New York State.
Oregon Workforce Partnership (OWP) is an association of seven Local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) leading Oregon's workforce, training and job placement systems to meet the needs of job seekers and businesses. Each year, OWP members invest more than $40 million throughout the state to educate and train more than 16,000 citizens and assist hundreds of employers. We do this because Oregon's future depends on keeping skilled workers and good companies thriving in our state.
Pennsylvania Partners represents workforce development professionals in each of the state’s 23 Workforce Investment Areas. Our members oversee and operate employment and training programs administered under the federal Workforce Investment Act and other workforce programs, including the services provided by Pennsylvania’s CareerLink (One-Stop) system.
SETA is a professional organization promoting workforce development excellence and professionalism. While SETA's dynamic history extends back for 30 years, our focus is squarely on the future!
WWA works in the field of workforce development for purposes that are beneficial to the public interest. We help to create better services to help unemployed people find jobs, to help current workers move up in their careers, and to help employers find the skilled workers they need. In short, WWA works to make workforce development programs more effective.
Industry Associations
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is a non-profit federation of affiliated state health organizations, together representing more than 10,000 non-profit and for-profit assisted living, nursing facility, developmentally-disabled, and subacute care providers that care for more than 1.5 million elderly and disabled individuals nationally. AHCA represents the long term care community to the nation at large – to government, business leaders, and the general public. It also serves as a force for change within the long term care field, providing information, education, and administrative tools that enhance quality at every level.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities. Close to 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 37,000 individual members come together to form the AHA.
The American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) of the American Hospital Association (AHA) is the nation’s only membership organization exclusively dedicated to meeting the professional needs of human resources leaders in healthcare. Founded in 1964, ASHHRA represents more than 3,100 human resources professionals across the nation. ASHHRA is governed by a 16-member board of directors, four standing committees, and more than 50 affiliated chapters who are all committed to enhancing the profession and moving forward toward one common goal – excellence in healthcare human resources.
AH&LA is the sole national association that represents all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.
Formed in March 2006, the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) is a non-profit consortium of electric, natural gas, and nuclear utilities and their associations – Edison Electric Institute, American Gas Association, Nuclear Energy Institute, and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. CEWD was formed to help utilities work together to develop solutions to the coming workforce shortage in the utility industry. It is the first partnership between utilities, their associations, contractors and unions to focus on the need to build a skilled workforce pipeline that will meet future industry needs.
National Association of Manufacturers
The NAM’s mission is to advocate on behalf of its members to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturers by shaping a legislative and regulatory environment conducive to U.S. economic growth and to increase understanding among policymakers, the media and the general public about the vital role of manufacturing in America’s economic and national security for today and in the future.
National Council for Advanced Manufacturing
The National Council for Advanced Manufacturing (NACFAM) is an industry-led, policy research organization, working collaboratively since 1989 with key leaders from industry, education, and government, to shape public policies and programs to make U.S. manufacturing globally competitive. It convenes its members and other key stakeholders to identify, research, formulate, and communicate proposals in a non-partisan, non-lobbying environment. Participants include small, medium and large manufacturing firms, associations, universities and community colleges, members of Congress and their staffs, federal agencies, and other organizations.
The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.6 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 24 million employees - about one in five American workers - and 2006 sales of $4.7 trillion. As the industry umbrella group, NRF also represents more than 100 state, national and international retail associations.
CompTIA is the leading association representing the international technology community. Its goal is to provide a unified voice, global advocacy and leadership, and to advance industry growth through standards, professional competence, education and business solutions. In order to most efficiently serve the industry and its members, CompTIA has developed specialized initiatives and programs dedicated to major areas within the IT industry. They include convergence technology, e-commerce, IT training, software services, certification, public policy, and workforce development.
Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.1 million workers and provides more than $341 billion in annual shipments.
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has for the last 69 years dedicated itself to representing the interests of truckload carriers. TCA is proud to be a member-driven organization, providing
benefits and services to our members regardless of size. TCA members join with hundreds of other leaders in the truckload carrier industry working to ensure safe, high quality, reliable and efficient truckload transportation services.
Industry Publications
CLASP Newsletter
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) is a national nonprofit that works to improve the lives of low-income people. CLASP’s mission is to improve the economic security, educational and workforce prospects, and family stability of low-income parents, children, and youth, and to secure equal justice for all. To stay updated on CLASP publications, audio conferences, and other news, join the "New from CLASP" e-mail list.
Employment & Training Reporter
The Employment & Training Reporter has long been recognized as the essential source of information for all workforce development professionals in work readiness, job training, economic development and work support under the Workforce Investment Act, Perkins vocational education, TANF and welfare reform, as well as vocational rehabilitation and the Ticket to Work initiative for the disabled.
Jobs for the Future Newswire
Jobs for the Future believes that all young people should have a quality high school and postsecondary education, and that all adults should have the skills needed to hold jobs that pay enough to support a family. As a nonprofit research, consulting, and advocacy organization, JFF works to strengthen our society by creating educational and economic opportunity for those who need it most. Sign up to view JFF news feeds through your browser.
MDRC
MDRC is a non-profit, nonpartisan education and social policy research organization dedicated to learning what works to affect programs and policies that affect the poor. Sign up to receive email updates.
Net Assets
NetAssets, is a unique workforce development industry e-newsletter offered at no cost to subscribers. NetAssets provides candid and entertaining reporting, a timesaving format, and a national database of RFP funding sources, job opportunities, and industry links.
Solutions is a free resource journal for professionals in the workforce industry, which includes articles, case studies, and a categorized vendor directory. The vendor directory is also available online. Solutions is distributed electronically every other month to workforce professionals nationwide.
Workforce Management magazine is a monthly printed magazine which highlights the current issues facing HR professionals.
Workforce online provides the in-depth information you expect from a web site, including a Research Center, Commerce Center and Community Center.