The State Board is responsible for assisting the Governor in all the functions outlined in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-220). Through its broad membership, the State Board encourages collaboration among both State and local public and private entities. This collaboration is further enhanced through its committee structure. Members of the State Board’s committees include representatives from Local Workforce Investment Areas (Local Area) and/or Local Boards, business leaders, local and State partner entities, and key stakeholders that have a vested interest in workforce issues.

The State Board is committed to the broader strategic workforce planning required of it in the Workforce Training Act, (SB293), and Green Collar Jobs Act, (AB3018).

With the convergence of the strategic planning processes and a changing board structure, the State Board continues to capitalize on its opportunity to be the catalyst for developing a new workforce system vision and strategies that follow the general direction and leadership the Governor has provided since assuming office. The Governor and the State Board stand ready to address national priorities as they emerge under the new administration and will continue to advance the system towards both the Governor’s vision and priorities and the national strategic direction. The State Board has adopted Sector Strategies as the statewide framework for workforce development, and is working closely with the Economic Strategy Panel, other State Agencies and departments and its 49 local Workforce Investment Boards to support the emergence of effective statewide and regionally driven sector initiatives.

Roles of the California Workforce Investment Board

In the area of Policy Development

• Develop a unified, strategic planning process to coordinate various education, training, and employment programs into an integrated workforce development system that supports economic development.
• Develop protocols to ensure that policies are developed with full public input and discussion.
• Recommend to the Governor policies for the effective ongoing operation of the workforce investment system. Such policies include:
  • Designation of Local Workforce Investment Areas and subsequent extension of Areas designated as temporary.
  • Establishment of criteria for:
    • development of the formulae to be used for allocating funds to local areas,
    • dissemination of the Governor’s 15 per cent Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Discretionary funding,
    • certification and re-certification of Local Workforce Investment Boards,
    • the issuance of state incentive grants,
    • assuring the effective evaluation of Statewide and Local WIA systems
  • Recommend to the Governor policy and vision for the statewide employment statistics system.
  • Recommend to the Governor policy and priorities for waiver requests to be submitted to the Secretary of Labor.

In the area of Supporting the Workforce System

• Promote and share innovative strategies.
• Promote linkages among education, workforce preparation, and economic development organizations at the State level.
• Facilitate collaboration among Local Areas and among the various partners in the system and facilitate coordination of the workforce development system at the State level.
• Promote coordination between the State Youth Council and the Local Youth Councils and LWIA Administrators.
• Assist the Employment Development Department (EDD) in identifying potential needs for improved information about economic trends and labor markets.
• To the extent possible, consult with EDD to develop specifications for data and other information requests.

In the area of Assessing Performance

• Recommend to the Governor State performance measures and negotiated performance levels.
• Advocate for continuous improvement of the statewide workforce investment system.

In the area of Reporting

• Coordinate the development of the Annual Report for the Secretary of Labor and submit it to the Governor.
• Coordinate the development of the State Strategic Plan for Title I of the Workforce Investment Act and submit it to the Governor.
• Prepare the California Workforce Investment Board’s Report to the Legislature on the Green Collar Jobs Act and Activities of the Green Collar Jobs Council.