Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Wagner-Peyser Program (Employment Services)
All Program-Specific Requirements provided for the WIOA core programs in this section must be addressed for either a Unified or Combined State Plan.
a. 2. Describe how the State will utilize professional development activities for Employment Service staff to ensure staff is able to provide high quality services to both jobseekers and employers
Current Narrative:
DWD will provide training to all staff providing employment services by making use of various media to accommodate different learning styles. These will include, but not be limited to in-person training events, virtual events (webinars and other video recordings available online), self-paced instruction, procedure manuals, and best practices. DWD recently rolled out a new staff portal where all of these materials will be housed and accessible to all regional and DWD staff. Many training opportunities will also include step-by-step instruction guides with visual images incorporated into the guides. Additionally, with most of the training offerings being posted online, there is broader access for more partners within the One-Stop system. DWD will provide business systems and program training to include the case management and labor exchange system, the business engagement system, and assessment programs/tools for WorkOne constituents.
All DWD employees have been given LinkedIn Learning licenses and Wagner-Peyser staff are assigned job-related training modules to complete as part of their performance expectations and staff development.
DWD’s Career Exploration and Coaching staff has created a multi-faceted program to support agency career coaches as well as those in other state organizations or who are part of our community partners. Staff created a website of coaching resources, tools, professional development, labor market information and supporting organizations that have been visited by viewers from every state in the union. The site is updated regularly and found at https://www.in.gov/dwd/career-coaching.
Through education reimbursement and tuition assistance programs, DWD reimburses employees who complete post-secondary education courses and degree programs. This improves their general education, knowledge, and skills, to perform their jobs more effectively and advance their careers.