WAGNER-PEYSER ACT

Sandy Miller
Employment Security Department
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
Telephone: 360.438.3221
E-mail: skmiller@esd.wa.gov

State Website: http://Go2WorkSource.com

Local Link: https://fortress.wa.gov/esd/worksource/StaticContent.aspx?Context=WSDirectorySeeker

Participation: 353,181 individuals were served during July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007.

Who is Served: Any individual legally entitled to work in the United States is eligible for service.  Job seekers who are veterans receive priority referral to jobs and training as well as special employment services and assistance. In addition, the system provides specialized attention and service to individuals with disabilities, migrant and seasonal farm workers, ex-offenders, youth, minorities and older workers. All employers are eligible for service as long as they adhere to applicable federal and state employment provisions.

Program Description: The purpose of Wagner-Peyser is to provide access to all job seekers to job finding and placement services and job listing and matching for employers. Close coordination is required between Unemployment Insurance (UI) services and reemployment services to help UI recipients return to work. Services are provided through a network of WorkSource centers and affiliate sites that offer group and individual staff-assisted activities, as well as self-service opportunities via computer resources. In addition, Go2WorkSource.com is an Internet-based resume matching service linked to employer-entered job postings. Assistance to job seekers is provided through job search activities, labor market information, employability self-assessments, job interview techniques, and resume preparation assistance. When appropriate, referrals are made available to other employment and training service providers located in WorkSource centers or other local sites. Employers receive a range of services, including screening, job order taking, applicant referrals, use of interviewing facilities, job fairs, and value-added information regarding the labor market and prevailing wage rates.

Other Program Characteristics: Shifts in program design are anticipated to increase performance and apply new information and technology tools to match individuals with local job openings.

Program History: The Wagner-Peyser Act established a national Public Employment Service as part of the New Deal legislation passed in 1933. Following the Great Depression of 1929, it focused on helping people find jobs. The act also benefited employers, working with them to identify their employment needs and connect them with potential workers. In 1937, the Washington state Legislature authorized the state’s public employment service. Congress amended the program in 1998 to be part of a one-stop service delivery system. In Washington state, this system is called WorkSource.

Planning Cycle: Five-year.

State Core Measures: See Workforce Training Results at http://www.wtb.wa.gov/WashingtonStateCoreMeasures.asp

Other Outcome Measures: Federal measures include entered employment rate, average earnings, and job retention. State and agency measures include entered employment rate, time returning to work after receiving a service, and median hourly wage. Different methodologies apply for calculating and reporting data.

Funding and Regional Division: Funds are allocated by the U.S. Department of Labor to the state based on the state’s share of individuals in the civilian labor force and the number of unemployed individuals. In Washington, funds for local services are distributed to Workforce Development Councils which allocate funds to local ESD service sites.

State Funding: None.

Federal Funding: $14,785,000 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008), U.S. Department of Labor.

Statutory Authority: Federal - Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933 as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Administered by the Employment Security Department.