State seeks public comments on North Dakota’s new unified state workforce plan

 

Addressing the state’s workforce needs involves a unified, multi-agency approach. Job Service North Dakota, North Dakota’s Department of Commerce, Department of Public Instruction, and the Department of Human Services’ Vocational Rehabilitation Division have drafted a new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Unified State Plan and are inviting employees, working age adults and other stakeholders to review it and submit public comments.

The plan outlines the state’s four-year strategy for meeting workforce needs through programs and services offered by the public workforce development system. The network of agencies that make up this system provide employment, education, training and related services and supports to help all job-seekers secure good jobs, while providing businesses with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

The agencies are co-hosting a public comment meeting by video conference on Feb. 18, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Central Time. The meeting will originate at North Dakota Job Services regional office at 1601 E. Century Ave. in Bismarck. Individuals can also participate at Job Service offices in Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, Wahpeton and Williston. Location details can be found online at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/publicnotice/2020/2-18-wioa-state-plan-public-comment-meeting-notice.pdf.

Individuals unable to attend can also review the plan online at www.jobsnd.com/stateplan2019  and can direct questions and comments to Phil Davis, Workforce Services Director, Job Service North Dakota, 1000 E. Divide Ave., P.O. Box 5507, Bismarck, ND 58506-5507, 701-328-5040, or 711 (TTY) for TTY customers, or pndavisatnd [dot] gov

. All comments must be received on or before Feb. 21, 2020.

Individuals who need accommodations to participate in the meeting can contact Robyn Throlson, North Dakota Department of Human Services – Vocational Rehabilitation Division, at 701-328-8955, 711 (TTY) or rthrolsonatnd [dot] gov

 prior to the meeting.

The Unified Plan includes the federal requirements for WIOA Title I, Adult Education, the Wagner-Peyser Act including Agricultural Outreach and Vocational Rehabilitation, and some performance measures.