Kentucky Department of Workforce Investment Commissioner Ray Leathers addressed the Cumberlands Workforce Development Board of Directors at the April 16 meeting in Russell Springs. Leathers delivered a presentation outlining key points of the state's strategic plan for workforce development.

Leathers said the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board (KWIB) strategic plan goals include increasing employer engagement, increasing educational attainments and completions, increasing Kentucky's workforce participation rate and aligning the resources of partners across the state.

"Kentucky is one of the first states to have all four core WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) title programs within a single agency, the EWDC/DWI (Economic Workforce Development Cabinet/Department of Workforce Investment)," said Leathers. "Local boards will report to the KWIB on how the system is working and provide input on how the metrics for judging these goals will be used."

WIOA is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve the nation's public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers.

The state established Kentucky Career Centers to deliver most of these programs. WIOA's four title programs include:

• Title 1: Adult, Dislocated Workers, Youth, Job Corps, Youth Build, Native American Job Training Programs, Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers
• Title 2: Adult Education
• Title 3: Wagner-Peyser Act
• Title 4: Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (includes Division of Blind Services)

For more information contact a Kentucky Career Center near you.