The federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides the legislative framework for the public workforce system. The Department of Labor is the federal governing agency for WIA and establishes regulations and administers funding. WIA requires Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) to provide policy, planning and oversight for the local workforce system. The Lower Shore Workforce Alliance (LSWA) serves as the local WIB and provides training opportunities based on local labor market demand. An agreement between the WIB, Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland (TCC) and the Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester county elected officials forms the basis for the private/public partnership. Private industry comprises 51% or more of all WIBs with other representatives from education, social services, community based organizations, economic development, rehabilitation, organized labor, employment service and other key human service agencies.
WIA assigns the responsibility for the creation of a one-stop delivery system to the local WIB. Our local one-stop is called the One-Stop Job Market (OSJM) and is located at 917 Mount Hermon Road in Salisbury, Maryland. Partner agencies at the One-Stop Job Market are:
• Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR)
• Lower Shore Workforce Alliance (LSWA)
• Job Corps
• Wicomico County Department of Social Services
• Telamon
• Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
• Tri-County Workforce Development Initiative (TCWDI)
• Unemployment Insurance Appeals
• Veterans’ Employment Services
• MAC Senior Employment Program