Purchase Future:  An Economic Strategy for the Purchase Region of Western Kentucky

Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

Workforce Development issues pervade every community's needs as they prepare to move to a New Economy with 21st Century opportunities and meet changing demands. The Department of Labor governs workforce development initiatives mainly through the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). Under this Act, local areas are charged with establishing a local "One-Stop Career Center system" in order to develop a seamless approach to assisting individuals and businesses in employment and training activities.

The West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (WKWIB)  is a non-profit organization responsible for managing local workforce development projects throughout the Purchase/Pennyrile regions, in conjunction with local elected officials. The WKWIB subcontracts with the Purchase and Pennyrile Area Development Districts to provide services in the local regions.

The West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (WKWIB) governs the local One-Stop Career Center System in the Purchase and Pennyrile counties of Kentucky. Partners in the Career Center include WIA, Office of Employment and Training, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Adult Education.

Major initiatives that the WKWIB continues to support include:

• Intensive Business Services (On-the-Job Training)

• Economic Development efforts

• Career Centers operations

• Local Youth Programs

WIA Services Overview

WIA services are available to unemployed or underemployed adults, dislocated workers (those people who have lost jobs through no fault of their own), and youth. Eligibility is determined by WIA Workforce Specialists who are located at all three area Career Centers. Services may include the following:

Core Services  include eligibility determination, skill assessments, labor market information, unemployment insurance, internet usage, and staff-assisted job search assistance and job referrals.

Intensive Services  include comprehensive and specialized assessments, group/individual counseling, career planning, intensive case management, out-of-area job search assistance, relocation assistance, and work experience or On-the-Job Training (OJT).

Training Services  include occupational skills training, workplace training, cooperative education programs, job readiness training, adult education/literacy, or traditional post-secondary training.

For more information, contact WKWIB staff at the Purchase Area Development District at 270-247-7171 or toll free at 1-877-352-5183.