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:
In PY23, the Louisiana Workforce Commission's Office of Workforce Development (OWD) reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing the professional growth of its staff. Moving forward, there are plans to increase both the quantity and quality of training opportunities available.
Over the past year, LWC/OWD ensured that every Employment Services staff member completed a series of training modules provided by Workforce 180. These included Motivational Interviewing Certification, Case Management I, II, and III, Job Search, and Business Services training. Plans are underway to offer additional training sessions through Workforce 180 and other external providers in the near future.
The upskilling initiative for Employment Services staff via Coursera commenced in PY23 and is set to extend through 2025. Later in PY23, LWC/OWD conducted its inaugural multi-unit quarterly training session, convening Employment Services personnel and related staff for comprehensive case management training and simulation exercises. These quarterly multi-unit training sessions will proceed as planned.
In alignment with the Louisiana State Civil Service-mandated training for all state employees, the Louisiana Workforce Commission's (LWC) Office of Workforce Development (OWD) mandates that all Employment Service staff undertake twenty (20) hours of professional development. This requirement can be fulfilled through the completion of Workforce GPS courses, webinars, or other forms of professional development focused on workforce enhancement.
Employment Services managers are mandated to conduct monthly training sessions covering a range of essential topics. These include Wagner-Peyser outreach, targeted strategies for engaging individuals not participating in the labor force, enrollment procedures, utilization of labor market information and other exchange services, follow-up protocols, documentation requirements, referrals to partner programs and external resources, as well as providing labor exchange services tailored to unemployment insurance claimants.