Wagner-Peyser Act

(A) Providing the full range of employment and training services to the agricultural community, both farmworkers and agricultural employers, through the one-stop delivery system. This includes:

(i) How career and training services required under WIOA Title I will be provided to MSFWs through the one-stop centers;

All workers and employers in the agricultural field are able to access the same services that are freely available to the public. Each of the State’s AJCs is equipped with staff who provide a variety of services for both jobseekers and employers. Staff stay current on available programs and resources through staff meetings, trainings, and continuous information sharing. The full range of services to the agricultural community is provided through Maryland’s AJC network. The centers and staff provide services to jobseekers such as:

• Job search workshops and resources including internet access
• Reemployment services
• Veterans services
• Distribution of federal, State & local government information
• Career planning and training programs under WIOA Title I
• Access to labor market information
• Bilingual assistance
• Complaint handling

There are multiple entry points to services, and Maryland subscribes to a “no wrong door” philosophy for customer access to services. Weekly orientations, walk-ins, partner referrals, ROW, and RESEA are typical entry points for new customers.

Customers learn about various career, individualized, and/or training services that may be available to them. Customers also learn about labor market information and the most effective way to begin their job search. All customers receive instruction and staff assistance on registering in the MWE.

If customers express interest in or a need for individualized services, or a staff member determines through interaction with the customer that individualized career services are the right approach, customers are paired with a counselor to determine eligibility. Individuals who desire so can begin the steps to determine edibility for Title I services. If necessary, AJC staff are able to accommodate individuals who are not able to attend the session in other ways. Referral to AJC partners and community resources is discussed for barrier removal or support, as appropriate and as needed.

MD Labor raises awareness of available services within the farm worker community through oral communication and distributing bilingual brochures specifically designed for this community. Recognizing that many MSFWs may require English Language Acquisition, brochures provide pictorial representations to ensure the message is effectively received.

Outreach to agricultural employers is conducted using a number of strategies. The most effective strategy has been through use of the Rural Services Coordinator who provides guidance and technical assistance to local staff and works closely with individual agricultural employers across the state. The Rural Services Coordinator’s long-standing relationship with agricultural employers assists the state agency to provide a conduit to additional business services. Maryland has recently hired an additional staff person as a business service staff person. The staff person works closely with Rural Service Coordinator to identify and assist new agricultural employers in the state.

Another current strategy in place is use of Foreign Labor staff from the AJCs. Currently, business service staff are assigned the function of collecting wage survey data. This allows business service staff the opportunity to ask additional questions concerning their business needs. The result of the discussion will be used to determine how the AJC can provide assistance.

(ii) How the State serves agricultural employers and how it intends to improve such services.

Maryland uses a regional business service approach. This strategy creates a team of business professionals that are trained, flexible and articulate concerning all AJC programs. The result is a decrease in employee fatigue and a complete resource to employers. Regional business service staff will also be aware of the supply side of their region in working with agricultural employers as well as the resources available within their region. Agricultural Employers may also utilize the MWE to advertise their available employment, allowing more prospective employees to apply for agricultural jobs.

Maryland Business Service Representatives build relationships with agricultural employers to determine their employee needs and the skill sets of prospective recruits. Using this information, job orders are created with the goal of more closely aligning the farmers’ needs with job seekers. New outreach materials are being developed to provide information on services available to business and job seekers in the AJCs.

Maryland’s outreach staff will increase use of in-person contacts, networking events, local office recruitment activities, job fairs and community engagement events to improve services to agricultural employers. Historically, these are not employers targeted for activities within the AJC. Integrating agricultural employers in this manner will increase exposure to the workforce system as well as create new pipelines of talent to the employer.