Steve Bent

The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education today released  the final rules to implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) The regulations support the modernization of the nation’s workforce system, focusing on a more integrated, job-driven approach to support communities and expand job growth. The WIOA Final Rules include reforms that will affect more […]

In his keynote address at the 103rd International Association of Workforce Professionals Annual Educational Conference, Buffalo Mayor, Byron W. Brown issued a proclamation declaring June 26, 2016 as the International Association of Workforce Professionals Day. The full proclamation reads as follows: City of Buffalo Executive Chamber Proclamation WHEREAS, The International Association of Workforce Professionals will

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee have introduced the Effective Apprenticeships Rebuild National Skills (EARNS) Act, to strengthen the nation’s workforce development system through registered apprenticeship programs. The EARNS Act would support pre-apprenticeship programs

Following nomination by the Oregon IAWP Chapter, Lisa Maxim, Human Resource Manager at Oregon Aero, Inc. was awarded the prestigious IAWP Citation Award. The Citation award recognizes individuals and groups who made outstanding contributions to IAWP or to workforce development programs during the previous year. Ms. Maxim received the award for her efforts in promoting

The 103rd Annual Educational Conference is only days away and we’ve assembled the following to help with your travel planning. When June 26-29, 2016 Where Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel and Conference Center 2 Fountain Plaza Buffalo, NY 14202 Helpful Links Conference App Conference Program Niagara Falls Dinner Register International Delegate Tours Retiree Tour Airport Shuttle

The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) recently surveyed state Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs in 50 states and the District of Columbia (with 48 responding); interviewed officials from state UI programs and advocacy groups; and conducted six focus groups with recent UI claimants in these three states. The agency examined: Customer service challenges, if any, recent

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $100 million in America’s Promise Job-Driven Grants to develop and grow regional partnerships between workforce agencies, education and training providers and employers in a variety of industries such as information technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, financial services and educational services. The America’s Promise grant competition

The online voting option for members to vote for 2016-2017 officers ends today. This year’s race features elections for president-elect, vice president and treasurer.  Profiles for each candidate are available in the May-June issue of Countdown, which is available for download here. Please click here to vote online. Members may also vote in person at

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of $36 million in Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program grants today to help an estimated 17,000 veterans successfully transition to sustainable housing and good civilian jobs. The grants will fund a variety of services to assist homeless veterans in their return to the labor force including occupational, classroom