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.
d. 1. Coordination of and provision of labor exchange services for UI claimants as required by the Wagner-Peyser Act;
Current Narrative:
Use of Wagner-Peyser funds to support UI claimants: Maine requires all UI claimants to register for Maine’s JobLink. Once registered, job seekers will receive notification of job matches, browse for jobs, upload their resume, and receive job referrals. In addition, JobLink registrants are sent email blasts notifying them of job fairs, special recruitments, critical need jobs, and other job search related information. UI call centers are regularly informed of job orders on the JobLink and use this information during claim calls to steer claimants toward immediate job openings and one-stop services.
Claimants visiting one-stops can partake of self-service activities by using resources such as computers and phones to conduct job searches, respond to employment opportunities, and manage their UI claim through Maine’s UI portal. In addition to self-service options, claimants can also receive staff-assisted services, such as: job search workshops, assistance accessing and navigating Maine’s JobLink and the UI web portal, individualized labor market information, referral to veterans services, and referral to education, training, and supportive services.
There is a dedicated auto-dial UI phone in each one-stop that is monitored by UI staff and available to claimants who have specific UI issues that cannot be addressed by one-stop staff. Maine’s one-stop workers provide the public face-to-face interaction for MDOL. Because Maine’s UI system is web and call-center based, claimants who desire or require in-person interactions or assistance will visit a one-stop. Wagner-Peyser field staff provide a great deal of UI assistance such as: answering basic questions, supplying written UI information, assisting claimants in creating their UI web portal accounts, filing a claim, using computer or phone to contact the claims center, sorting out paperwork to send/fax to claims center, and providing hope and encouragement to claimants.
In addition, BUC and BES have a strong working relationship. BUC and BES staff are familiar with each other’s programs and often communicate on strategies, program-specific issues, and questions. Select UI staff members have privileges to the staff-side of Maine’s JobLink.