Employment Service (17.207)
Program
17.207 Employment Service
Federal Agency
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Authorization
Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, 48 Stat.113 as amended, Public Law 105-220; Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
Program Number
17.207
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To place persons in employment by providing a variety of placement-related services without charge to job seekers and to employers seeking qualified individuals to fill job openings.
Types of Assistance
Formula Grants; Provision of Specialized Services; Advisory Services and Counseling.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933 established a nationwide system of public employment offices which is known as the Employment Service. Wagner-Peyser was amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 making the Employment Service part of the One- Stop delivery system. The Employment Service is an integral part of the One Stop delivery system that provides an integrated array of high-quality services so that workers, job seekers and businesses can find the services they need under one roof in easy-to-reach locations. As part of the One Stop delivery system, the Employment Service focuses on providing a variety of services related to a labor exchange system including job search assistance, referral and placement assistance to job seekers, reemployment services to unemployment insurance claimants, and recruitment services to employers with job openings. Services may be delivered through self service; facilitated self-help services and staff assisted services. Also available may be core services such as assessment of skill levels, abilities and aptitudes, career guidance when appropriate, job search workshops and referral to training as appropriate. The services offered to employers, in addition to referral of job seekers to job openings, include matching job requirements with job seeker experience, skills and other attributes, helping with special recruitment needs, assisting employers analyze hard-to-fill job orders, assisting with job restructuring and helping employers deal with layoffs. Additional services may include 1) a nationwide computerized career information system including an automated job bank of employment vacancies and job seekers resumes, career and labor market information and institutions and organizations that provide training; 2) the development and distribution of State and local labor market information which allows job seekers, employers, and providers and planners of job training and economic development to obtain information pertaining to job opportunities, labor supply, labor market trends, and the market situation in particular industries. Veterans receive priority referral to jobs as well as special employment services and assistance. In addition, the system provides specialized service to individuals with disabilities as well as such groups as migrant and seasonal farm- workers, ex-offenders, youth, minorities and older workers. The Employment Service program involves a Federal-State partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the State Agencies Responsible for Wagner- Peyser. The Federal government provides general direction, funding, and oversight. In addition the Federal government partners with States to provide for a number of tools and resources such as development and maintenance of the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) America's Career Kit, America's Labor Market Information System and the Workforce Information Council.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States, including Washington, District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All employers seeking workers, persons seeking employment, and associated groups. Priority in service is given to veterans, with disabled veterans receiving preferential treatment over other veterans.
Credentials/Documentation
Cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 as codified in 41 CFR 1-15.7 for State and local governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
States are provided preliminary planning estimates in January of each year preceding the program year for which funds are allotted. Final planning estimates are issued annually by late March. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Any State desiring to receive benefits of the Wagner-Peyser Act prepares for submission by the Governor, the portion of the five-year State Workforce Investment Plan describing the delivery of services provided under the Act in accordance with the Workforce Investment Act regulations at 20 CFR 661.220. The State Plan must contain a detailed description of services that will be provided under the Act, which are adequate and reasonably appropriate for carrying out the provisions of the Act including the requirements of section 8(b) of the Act. Each State prepares a Wagner-Peyser Statewide Plan as part of the five-year State Workforce Investment Plan.
Award Procedure
Review of State Plan occurs at Employment and Training Administration regional offices. Final award is provided the grantee agencies before July 1, the start of the program year.
Deadlines
Established each year (contact Federal agency for deadline for application submission).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
As provided in regulations.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Under the Wagner-Peyser Act, funds are allotted to each State in accordance with the formula set forth at section 6 of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 493). They are based on monthly averages for each State's share of the civilian labor force and unemployment based on the last calendar year data. The Secretary of Labor is required to set aside up to three percent of the total available funds to assure that each State will have sufficient resources to maintain statewide employment service (ES) activities, as required under Section 6(b)(4) of the Wagner-Peyser Act. Under Wagner -Peyser Act section 7(b), ten percent of the total sums allotted to each State shall be reserved for use by the Governor to provide performance incentives for public ES offices; services for groups with special needs; and for the extra costs of exemplary models for delivering job services. There are no matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Length, funded annually. Financing is accomplished through Letter of Credit draw-downs needed to meet immediate cash requirements.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
As provided for in regulations.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," non federal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Standard records for audits are required.
Program Accomplishments
Data unavailable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
16-0179-0-1-504; 20-8042-0-7-999.
Obligations
(Grants) PY 01 $761,735,000; PY 02 $761,735,000; and PY 03 est $850,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Determined by legislative formula.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Programs accomplished are published annually in the Annual Report: Office of Workforce Security U.S. Employment Service Program Report Data. The report may be obtained from the U.S. Employment Service, 200 Constitution Ave, N.W. Room C 4512, Washington, D.C. 20210 or on the Employment and Training Administration web page at http://www.doleta.gov. America's Career Kit components are available on line at the following addresses: America's Job Bank www.ajb.org. America's Career InfoNet www.acinet.org. America's Learning exchange www.alx.org."State and Local Area Labor Market Newsletters" are available from State Employment Security Agencies. Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 202402, are: "Area Trends in Employment and Unemployment"; "Tips For Finding The Right Job"; "Dictionary of Occupational Titles, revised Fourth Edition (1991)"; "Guide for Occupational Exploration," (1979); Revised Handbook for Analyzing Jobs (1991); "Job Search Guide: Strategies for Professional," (1993).
Related Programs
10.768, Business and Industry Loans; 10.766, Community Facilities Loans and Grants; 17.202, Certification of Foreign Workers for Temporary Agricultural Employment; 17.203, Labor Certification for Alien Workers; 17.225, Unemployment Insurance; 17.235, Senior Community Service Employment Program; 17.245, Trade Adjustment Assistance_Workers; 27.001, Federal Civil Service Employment; 27.002, Federal Employment Assistance for Veterans; 27.003, Federal Student Temporary Employment Program; 27.005, Federal Employment for Individuals With Disabilities; 53.001, Employment Promotion of People with Disabilities.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact the nearest office of the local or State One-Stop Center or State Employment Security Agency by checking the local telephone directory. Or visit the website America's Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.
Headquarters Office
Administrator, Office of Workforce Security United States Employment Service, Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-3046. Contact: Gay Gilbert.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
All State Agencies Responsible for Wagner-Peyser provide the types of services described in the Uses and Use Restrictions section to the general public.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
