Local Workforce Development Boards

20 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart C
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

20 C.F.R. § 679.300 What is the vision and purpose of the Local Workforce Development Board?

(a) The vision for the Local WDB is to serve as a strategic leader and convener of local workforce development system stakeholders. The Local WDB partners with employers and the workforce development system to develop policies and investments that support public workforce system strategies that support regional economies, the development of effective approaches including local and regional sector partnerships and career pathways, and high quality, customer centered service delivery and service delivery approaches; (b) The purpose of the Local WDB is to— (1) Provide strategic and operational oversight in collaboration with the required and additional partners and workforce stakeholders to help develop a comprehensive and high-quality workforce development system in the local area and larger planning region; (2) Assist in the achievement of the State's strategic and operational vision and goals as outlined in the Unified State Plan or Combined State Plan; and (3) Maximize and continue to improve the quality of services, customer satisfaction, effectiveness of the services provided.

20 C.F.R. § 679.310 What is the Local Workforce Development Board?

(a) The Local WDB is appointed by the chief elected official(s) in each local area in accordance with State criteria established under WIOA sec. 107(b), and is certified by the Governor every 2 years, in accordance with WIOA sec. 107(c)(2). (b) In partnership with the chief elected official(s), the Local WDB sets policy for the portion of the statewide workforce development system within the local area and consistent with State policies. (c) The Local WDB and the chief elected official(s) may enter into an agreement that describes the respective roles and responsibilities of the parties. (d) The Local WDB, in partnership with the chief elected official(s), develops the local plan and performs the functions described in WIOA sec. 107(d) and § 679.370. (e) If a local area includes more than one unit of general local government in accordance with WIOA sec. 107(c)(1)(B), the chief elected officials of such units may execute an agreement to describe their responsibilities for carrying out the roles and responsibilities. If the chief elected officials are unable to reach agreement after a reasonable effort, the Governor may appoint the members of the Local WDB from individuals nominated or recommended as specified in WIOA sec. 107(b). (f) If the State Plan indicates that the State will be treated as a local area under WIOA, the State WDB must carry out the roles of the Local WDB in accordance with WIOA sec. 107, except that the State is not required to meet and report on a set of local performance accountability measures. (g) The CEO must establish by-laws, consistent with State policy for Local WDB membership, that at a minimum address: (1) The nomination process used by the CEO to select the Local WDB chair and members; (2) The term limitations and how the term appointments will be staggered to ensure only a portion of membership expire in a given year; (3) The process to notify the CEO of a WDB member vacancy to ensure a prompt nominee; (4) The proxy and alternative designee process that will be used when a WDB member is unable to attend a meeting and assigns a designee as per the requirements at § 679.110(d)(4); (5) The use of technology, such as phone and Web-based meetings, that will be used to promote WDB member participation; (6) The process to ensure WDB members actively participate in convening the workforce development system's stakeholders, brokering relationships with a diverse range of employers, and leveraging support for workforce development activities; and (7) A description of any other conditions governing appointment or membership on the Local WDB as deemed appropriate by the CEO.

20 C.F.R. § 679.320 Who are the required members of the Local Workforce Development Board?

(a) For each local area in the State, the members of Local WDB must be selected by the chief elected official consistent with criteria established under WIOA sec. 107(b)(1) and criteria established by the Governor, and must meet the requirements of WIOA sec. 107(b)(2). (b) A majority of the members of the Local WDB must be representatives of business in the local area. At a minimum, two members must represent small business as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Business representatives serving on Local WDBs also may serve on the State WDB. Each business representative must meet the following criteria: (1) Be an owner, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, or other individual with optimum policy-making or hiring authority; and (2) Provide employment opportunities in in-demand industry sectors or occupations, as those terms are defined in WIOA sec. 3(23). (c) At least 20 percent of the members of the Local WDB must be workforce representatives. These representatives: (1) Must include two or more representatives of labor organizations, where such organizations exist in the local area. Where labor organizations do not exist, representatives must be selected from other employee representatives; (2) Must include one or more representatives of a joint labor-management, or union affiliated, registered apprenticeship program within the area who must be a training director or a member of a labor organization. If no union affiliated registered apprenticeship programs exist in the area, a representative of a registered apprenticeship program with no union affiliation must be appointed, if one exists; (3) May include one or more representatives of community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training or education needs of individuals with barriers to employment, including organizations that serve veterans or provide or support competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities; and (4) May include one or more representatives of organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of eligible youth, including representatives of organizations that serve out-of-school youth. (d) The Local WDB also must include: (1) At least one eligible training provider administering adult education and literacy activities under WIOA title II; (2) At least one representative from an institution of higher education providing workforce investment activities, including community colleges; and (3) At least one representative from each of the following governmental and economic and community development entities: (i) Economic and community development entities; (ii) The State Employment Service office under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.) serving the local area; and (iii) The programs carried out under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, other than sec. 112 or part C of that title; (e) The membership of Local WDBs may include individuals or representatives of other appropriate entities in the local area, including: (1) Entities administering education and training activities who represent local educational agencies or community-based organizations with demonstrated expertise in addressing the education or training needs for individuals with barriers to employment; (2) Governmental and economic and community development entities who represent transportation, housing, and public assistance programs; (3) Philanthropic organizations serving the local area; and (4) Other appropriate individuals as determined by the chief elected official. (f) Members must be individuals with optimum policy-making authority within the entities they represent. (g) Chief elected officials must establish a formal nomination and appointment process, consistent with the criteria established by the Governor and State WDB under sec. 107(b)(1) of WIOA for appointment of members of the Local WDBs, that ensures: (1) Business representatives are appointed from among individuals who are nominated by local business organizations and business trade associations; (2) Labor representatives are appointed from among individuals who are nominated by local labor federations (or, for a local area in which no employees are represented by such organizations, other representatives of employees); and (3) When there is more than one local area provider of adult education and literacy activities under title II, or multiple institutions of higher education providing workforce investment activities as described in WIOA sec. 107(b)(2)(C)(i) or (ii), nominations are solicited from those particular entities. (h) An individual may be appointed as a representative of more than one entity if the individual meets all the criteria for representation, including the criteria described in paragraphs (c) through (g) of this section, for each entity. (i) All required WDB members must have voting privilege. The chief elected official may convey voting privileges to non-required members.

20 C.F.R. § 679.330 Who must chair a Local Workforce Development Board?

The Local WDB must elect a chairperson from among the business representatives on the WDB.

20 C.F.R. § 679.340 What is meant by the terms “optimum policy-making authority” and “demonstrated experience and expertise”?

For purposes of selecting representatives to Local WDBs: (a) A representative with “optimum policy-making authority” is an individual who can reasonably be expected to speak affirmatively on behalf of the entity he or she represents and to commit that entity to a chosen course of action. (b) A representative with “demonstrated experience and expertise” means an individual who: (1) Is a workplace learning advisor as defined in WIOA sec. 3(70); (2) Contributes to the field of workforce development, human resources, training and development, or a core program function; or (3) The Local WDB recognizes for valuable contributions in education or workforce development related fields.

20 C.F.R. § 679.350 What criteria will be used to establish the membership of the Local Workforce Development Board?

The Local WDB is appointed by the chief elected official(s) in the local area in accordance with State criteria established under WIOA sec. 107(b), and is certified by the Governor every 2 years, in accordance with WIOA sec. 107(c)(2).

20 C.F.R. § 679.360 What is a standing committee, and what is its relationship to the Local Workforce Development Board?

(a) Standing committees may be established by the Local WDB to provide information and assist the Local WDB in carrying out its responsibilities under WIOA sec. 107. Standing committees must be chaired by a member of the Local WDB, may include other members of the Local WDB, and must include other individuals appointed by the Local WDB who are not members of the Local WDB and who have demonstrated experience and expertise in accordance with § 679.340(b) and as determined by the Local WDB. Standing committees may include each of the following: (1) A standing committee to provide information and assist with operational and other issues relating to the one-stop delivery system, which may include representatives of the one-stop partners. (2) A standing committee to provide information and to assist with planning, operational, and other issues relating to the provision of services to youth, which must include community-based organizations with a demonstrated record of success in serving eligible youth. (3) A standing committee to provide information and to assist with operational and other issues relating to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities, including issues relating to compliance with WIOA sec. 188, if applicable, and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) regarding providing programmatic and physical access to the services, programs, and activities of the one-stop delivery system, as well as appropriate training for staff on providing supports for or accommodations to, and finding employment opportunities for, individuals with disabilities. (b) The Local WDB may designate other standing committees in addition to those specified in paragraph (a) of this section. (c) Local WDBs may designate an entity in existence as of the date of the enactment of WIOA, such as an effective youth council, to serve as a standing committee as long as the entity meets the requirements of WIOA sec. 107(b)(4).

20 C.F.R. § 679.370 What are the functions of the Local Workforce Development Board?

As provided in WIOA sec. 107(d), the Local WDB must: (a) Develop and submit a 4-year local plan for the local area, in partnership with the chief elected official and consistent with WIOA sec. 108; (b) If the local area is part of a planning region that includes other local areas, develop and submit a regional plan in collaboration with other local areas. If the local area is part of a planning region, the local plan must be submitted as a part of the regional plan; (c) Conduct workforce research and regional labor market analysis to include: (1) Analyses and regular updates of economic conditions, needed knowledge and skills, workforce, and workforce development (including education and training) activities to include an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses (including the capacity to provide) of such services to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers; (2) Assistance to the Governor in developing the statewide workforce and labor market information system under the Wagner-Peyser Act for the region; and (3) Other research, data collection, and analysis related to the workforce needs of the regional economy as the WDB, after receiving input from a wide array of stakeholders, determines to be necessary to carry out its functions; (d) Convene local workforce development system stakeholders to assist in the development of the local plan under § 679.550 and in identifying non-Federal expertise and resources to leverage support for workforce development activities. Such stakeholders may assist the Local WDB and standing committees in carrying out convening, brokering, and leveraging functions at the direction of the Local WDB; (e) Lead efforts to engage with a diverse range of employers and other entities in the region in order to: (1) Promote business representation (particularly representatives with optimum policy-making or hiring authority from employers whose employment opportunities reflect existing and emerging employment opportunities in the region) on the Local WDB; (2) Develop effective linkages (including the use of intermediaries) with employers in the region to support employer utilization of the local workforce development system and to support local workforce investment activities; (3) Ensure that workforce investment activities meet the needs of employers and support economic growth in the region by enhancing communication, coordination, and collaboration among employers, economic development entities, and service providers; and (4) Develop and implement proven or promising strategies for meeting the employment and skill needs of workers and employers (such as the establishment of industry and sector partnerships), that provide the skilled workforce needed by employers in the region, and that expand employment and career advancement opportunities for workforce development system participants in in-demand industry sectors or occupations; (f) With representatives of secondary and postsecondary education programs, lead efforts to develop and implement career pathways within the local area by aligning the employment, training, education, and supportive services that are needed by adults and youth, particularly individuals with barriers to employment; (g) Lead efforts in the local area to identify and promote proven and promising strategies and initiatives for meeting the needs of employers, workers and job seekers, and identify and disseminate information on proven and promising practices carried out in other local areas for meeting such needs; (h) Develop strategies for using technology to maximize the accessibility and effectiveness of the local workforce development system for employers, and workers and job seekers, by: (1) Facilitating connections among the intake and case management information systems of the one-stop partner programs to support a comprehensive workforce development system in the local area; (2) Facilitating access to services provided through the one-stop delivery system involved, including access in remote areas; (3) Identifying strategies for better meeting the needs of individuals with barriers to employment, including strategies that augment traditional service delivery, and increase access to services and programs of the one-stop delivery system, such as improving digital literacy skills; and (4) Leveraging resources and capacity within the local workforce development system, including resources and capacity for services for individuals with barriers to employment; (i) In partnership with the chief elected official for the local area: (1) Conduct oversight of youth workforce investment activities authorized under WIOA sec. 129(c), adult and dislocated worker employment and training activities under WIOA secs. 134(c) and (d), and the entire one-stop delivery system in the local area; (2) Ensure the appropriate use and management of the funds provided under WIOA subtitle B for the youth, adult, and dislocated worker activities and one-stop delivery system in the local area; and (3) Ensure the appropriate use management, and investment of funds to maximize performance outcomes under WIOA sec. 116; (j) Negotiate and reach agreement on local performance indicators with the chief elected official and the Governor; (k) Negotiate with CEO and required partners on the methods for funding the infrastructure costs of one-stop centers in the local area in accordance with § 678.715 of this chapter or must notify the Governor if they fail to reach agreement at the local level and will use a State infrastructure funding mechanism; (l) Select the following providers in the local area, and where appropriate terminate such providers in accordance with 2 CFR part 200: (1) Providers of youth workforce investment activities through competitive grants or contracts based on the recommendations of the youth standing committee (if such a committee is established); however, if the Local WDB determines there is an insufficient number of eligible training providers in a local area, the Local WDB may award contracts on a sole-source basis as per the provisions at WIOA sec. 123(b); (2) Providers of training services consistent with the criteria and information requirements established by the Governor and WIOA sec. 122; (3) Providers of career services through the award of contracts, if the one-stop operator does not provide such services; and (4) One-stop operators in accordance with §§ 678.600 through 678.635 of this chapter; (m) In accordance with WIOA sec. 107(d)(10)(E) work with the State to ensure there are sufficient numbers and types of providers of career services and training services serving the local area and providing the services in a manner that maximizes consumer choice, as well as providing opportunities that lead to competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities; (n) Coordinate activities with education and training providers in the local area, including: (1) Reviewing applications to provide adult education and literacy activities under WIOA title II for the local area to determine whether such applications are consistent with the local plan; (2) Making recommendations to the eligible agency to promote alignment with such plan; and (3) Replicating and implementing cooperative agreements to enhance the provision of services to individuals with disabilities and other individuals, such as cross training of staff, technical assistance, use and sharing of information, cooperative efforts with employers, and other efforts at cooperation, collaboration, and coordination; (o) Develop a budget for the activities of the Local WDB, with approval of the chief elected official and consistent with the local plan and the duties of the Local WDB; (p) Assess, on an annual basis, the physical and programmatic accessibility of all one-stop centers in the local area, in accordance with WIOA sec. 188, if applicable, and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); and (q) Certification of one-stop centers in accordance with § 678.800 of this chapter.

20 C.F.R. § 679.380 How does the Local Workforce Development Board satisfy the consumer choice requirements for career services and training services?

(a) In accordance with WIOA sec. 122 and in working with the State, the Local WDB satisfies the consumer choice requirement for training services by: (1) Determining the initial eligibility of entities providing a program of training services, renewing the eligibility of providers, and considering the possible termination of an eligible training provider due to the provider's submission of inaccurate eligibility and performance information or the provider's substantial violation of WIOA; (2) Working with the State to ensure there are sufficient numbers and types of providers of training services, including eligible training providers with expertise in assisting individuals with disabilities and eligible training providers with expertise in assisting adults in need of adult education and literacy activities described under WIOA sec. 107(d)(10)(E), serving the local area; (3) Ensuring the dissemination and appropriate use of the State list through the local one-stop delivery system; (4) Receiving performance and cost information from the State and disseminating this information through the one-stop delivery systems within the State; and (5) Providing adequate access to services for individuals with disabilities. (b) Working with the State, the Local WDB satisfies the consumer choice requirement for career services by: (1) Determining the career services that are best performed by the one-stop operator consistent with §§ 678.620 and 678.625 of this chapter and career services that require contracting with a career service provider; and (2) Identifying a wide-array of potential career service providers and awarding contracts where appropriate including to providers to ensure: (i) Sufficient access to services for individuals with disabilities, including opportunities that lead to integrated, competitive employment for individuals with disabilities; and (ii) Sufficient access for adult education and literacy activities.

20 C.F.R. § 679.390 How does the Local Workforce Development Board meet its requirement to conduct business in an open manner under the “sunshine provision” of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act?

The Local WDB must conduct its business in an open manner as required by WIOA sec. 107(e), by making available to the public, on a regular basis through electronic means and open meetings, information about the activities of the Local WDB. This includes: (a) Information about the Local Plan, or modification to the Local Plan, before submission of the plan; (b) List and affiliation of Local WDB members; (c) Selection of one-stop operators; (d) Award of grants or contracts to eligible training providers of workforce investment activities including providers of youth workforce investment activities; (e) Minutes of formal meetings of the Local WDB; and (f) Local WDB by-laws, consistent with § 679.310(g).

20 C.F.R. § 679.400 Who are the staff to the Local Workforce Development Board and what is their role?

(a) WIOA sec. 107(f) grants Local WDBs authority to hire a director and other staff to assist in carrying out the functions of the Local WDB. (b) Local WDBs must establish and apply a set of qualifications for the position of director that ensures the individual selected has the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet identified benchmarks and to assist in carrying out the functions of the Local WDB. (c) The Local WDB director and staff must be subject to the limitations on the payment of salary and bonuses described in WIOA sec. 194(15). (d) In general, Local WDB staff only may assist the Local WDB fulfill the required functions at WIOA sec. 107(d). (e) Should the WDB select an entity to staff the WDB that provides additional workforce functions beyond the functions described at WIOA sec. 107(d), such an entity is required to enter into a written agreement with the Local WDB and chief elected official(s) to clarify their roles and responsibilities as required by § 679.430.

20 C.F.R. § 679.410 Under what conditions may a Local Workforce Development Board directly be a provider of career services, or training services, or act as a one-stop operator?

(a)(1) A Local WDB may be selected as a one-stop operator: (i) Through sole source procurement in accordance with § 678.610 of this chapter; or (ii) Through successful competition in accordance with § 678.615 of this chapter. (2) The chief elected official in the local area and the Governor must agree to the selection described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. (3) Where a Local WDB acts as a one-stop operator, the State must ensure certification of one-stop centers in accordance with § 678.800 of this chapter. (b) A Local WDB may act as a provider of career services only with the agreement of the chief elected official in the local area and the Governor. (c) A Local WDB is prohibited from providing training services, unless the Governor grants a waiver in accordance with the provisions in WIOA sec. 107(g)(1). (1) The State must develop a procedure for approving waivers that includes the criteria at WIOA sec. 107(g)(1)(B)(i): (i) Satisfactory evidence that there is an insufficient number of eligible training providers of such a program of training services to meet local demand in the local area; (ii) Information demonstrating that the WDB meets the requirements for eligible training provider services under WIOA sec. 122; and (iii) Information demonstrating that the program of training services prepares participants for an in-demand industry sector or occupation in the local area. (2) The local area must make the proposed request for a waiver available to eligible training providers and other interested members of the public for a public comment period of not less than 30 days and includes any comments received during this time in the final request for the waiver. (3) The waiver must not exceed the duration of the local plan and may be renewed by submitting a new waiver request consistent with paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section for additional periods, not to exceed the durations of such subsequent plans. (4) The Governor may revoke the waiver if the Governor determines the waiver is no longer needed or that the Local WDB involved has engaged in a pattern of inappropriate referrals to training services operated by the Local WDB. (d) The restrictions on the provision of career and training services by the Local WDB, as one-stop operator, also apply to staff of the Local WDB.

20 C.F.R. § 679.420 What are the functions of the local fiscal agent?

(a) In order to assist in administration of the grant funds, the chief elected official or the Governor, where the Governor serves as the local grant recipient for a local area, may designate an entity to serve as a local fiscal agent. Designation of a fiscal agent does not relieve the chief elected official or Governor of liability for the misuse of grant funds. If the CEO designates a fiscal agent, the CEO must ensure this agent has clearly defined roles and responsibilities. (b) In general the fiscal agent is responsible for the following functions: (1) Receive funds. (2) Ensure sustained fiscal integrity and accountability for expenditures of funds in accordance with Office of Management and Budget circulars, WIOA and the corresponding Federal Regulations and State policies. (3) Respond to audit financial findings. (4) Maintain proper accounting records and adequate documentation. (5) Prepare financial reports. (6) Provide technical assistance to subrecipients regarding fiscal issues. (c) At the direction of the Local WDB or the State WDB in single-area States, the fiscal agent may have the following additional functions: (1) Procure contracts or obtain written agreements. (2) Conduct financial monitoring of service providers. (3) Ensure independent audit of all employment and training programs.

20 C.F.R. § 679.430 How do entities performing multiple functions in a local area demonstrate internal controls and prevent conflict of interest?

Local organizations often function simultaneously in a variety of roles, including local fiscal agent, Local WDB staff, one-stop operator, and direct provider of services. Any organization that has been selected or otherwise designated to perform more than one of these functions must develop a written agreement with the Local WDB and CEO to clarify how the organization will carry out its responsibilities while demonstrating compliance with WIOA and corresponding regulations, relevant Office of Management and Budget circulars, and the State's conflict of interest policy.

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