Filling Ohio's Workforce Training Gaps: Recommendations for Effective Use of ARRA WIA Funds

Abstract

This policy paper, prepared by Community Research Partners (CRP),1 makes recommendations for how Ohio can maximize the opportunities presented by the influx of $138 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to create a more effective workforce development system that addresses the critical training and education needs of Ohio's adult workers and jump-starts the state economy. These recommendations, which are applicable to WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker funds, include:assuring equal access to servicesfocusing on trainingremoving administrative barriersleveraging collaborations andrequiring accountability and transparency.In addition, the paper provides results of a preliminary scan of WIA training policies in other states