Wagner-Peyser Act

The following data regarding Idaho’s performance versus actual attainment of minimum service levels was provided by the Department of Labor’s IdahoWorks MIS system and the Department’s electronic outreach log records.

Unfortunately the state achieved a Not Attained statusfor all three of the MSFW Compliance Indicators over the last several years. This can be attributed to several issues. Because of the new reporting requirements under WIOA, many of the new measures are based on wage-related data. Because of the delay in reporting wages, which relies on automated reporting from employers rather than W-P staff follow-up and data-entry of placements, much of this information is not reported in a timely fashion. In addition, because of WIOA’s requirements, an individual that is considered active in any of the partner programs, despite obtaining employment, is not considered as exited from a program and therefore not added to a count. As a result, some placements may not be counted if one continues their active status in a program such as Wagner-Peyser (labor exchange).

With regards to the MSFW Equity Indicators, the Idaho Department of Labor notes that a comparison of these over the years shows that the state is consistently meeting the majority of this numbers. The overall number of applications has decreased overall which affects the subsequent indicators. Again, this is due to the change in who WIOA considers a reportable individual for the programs under the Act. Primarily, referrals to employment and job development contacts were found lacking over the last several years. However, it should be noted that only one job development contact was performed in the entire state, which reflects less than one percent of the entire non-MSFW population.

The Department also notes that the Compliance Indicators goals were established by USDOL in the 1970’s, and strongly recommends a review of these fixed outcomes. Updating the static measures to something more equitable and reasonable would be more in line with the philosophy behind WIOA to consider current, up-to-date data which reflects economic and labor conditions, as well as the technology applies more relevance to these measures relevant.

Corrective Action - Wagner-Peyser management and outreach staff will assess data collection options to increase documentation of placements on job orders listed with AJCs. Connections with agricultural employers will increase as outreach staff continue to connect with the Department’s enhanced business services efforts implemented under WIOA legislation. One-Stop partners have also been encouraged to refer MSFWs to the AJCs to assist them in fully accessing the state’s labor exchange system.