Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities under Title I-B
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following with respect to activities carried out under subtitle B--
a. 2. B. Describe How the State Intends to Use Governor’s Set Aside Funding. Describe How the State Will Utilize Rapid Response Funds to Respond to Layoffs and Plant Closings and Coordinate Services to Quickly Aid Companies and Their Affected Workers. States Also Should Describe Any Layoff Aversion Strategies They Have Implemented to Address at Risk Companies and Workers
Current Narrative:
The WIOA requires each state to carry out statewide ETT activities or designate an entity to do so on its behalf. The DWD has opted to operate the ETT program at the state level in coordination with local Workforce Development Boards (WDB). DWD’s Workforce Coordinators, located regionally, shall take the lead role in responding to layoff events, and shall be responsible for coordinating, providing, and overseeing ETT services in their assigned areas. While ETT is required for mass layoffs and closures, it is the intent of WIOA for services to be provided to as many workers as possible. DWD Workforce Coordinators shall provide onsite or in person ETT services to any layoff affecting 25 or more. Layoffs affecting 24 or less may be offered onsite as needed or requested by the employer. At a minimum, smaller layoffs will be provided informational packets that include the ETT programs and services brochure, the Division of Employment Security (DES) UI Benefits fact sheet, the Missouri Economic Research Information Center (MERIC) regional Real Time Labor Market Summary and any local brochure, as requested by the LWDB. Every ETT event is unique; therefore, each event shall be assessed individually, and services provided shall be determined based on the wishes of the employer, the needs of the affected workers, and the timeframe of the layoff.
Effective ETT requires local partnership. Workforce Coordinators are the designated lead for any and all layoff events; however, local coordination is critical and required to ensure both employers and affected workers receive all needed services, and that they are delivered in a seamless fashion. Workforce Coordinators shall ensure coordination with WDB Directors, Functional Leaders, regional business services teams, Union Representatives, and community groups. Directors and Missouri Job Center (MJC) Functional Leaders shall be kept informed throughout the ETT process and notified of layoff activity, meeting dates, planned events, and changes in layoff schedules.
The Workforce Coordinator shall be the primary contact for employers participating in ETT. DWD Workforce Coordinators shall contact the affected employers within 24 hours of being informed of a potential layoff to inform them of ETT services and arrange for an in–person planning meeting. Workforce Coordinators shall also immediately notify the WDB Director or their designee. Onsite worker meetings and other services shall be coordinated with the employer and delivered based on the employer’s schedule. Workforce Coordinators shall conduct meetings at any time that works best for the employer, regardless of time of day. Worker meeting agendas and participants shall be approved by the employer in advance.
ETT meetings should include a representative from DES to present Unemployment Insurance information, a MJC representative to present programs and services information, a Trade Act Representative (if applicable) and the appropriate union representative (if applicable). In addition, a representative from the USDOL Employee Benefits Administration shall be included when appropriate. If a MJC representative is unavailable or a WDA chooses not to participate, the Workforce Coordinator shall be responsible for presenting MJC information.
ETT funds support a variety of local and State ETT activities and services such as the electronic worker–survey system. During ETT events, a survey is distributed to workers to determine their specific needs. The surveys are electronically tabulated and shared with the MERIC. Results of the surveys are also shared with DWD regional Workforce Coordinators and WDBs and are used to determine the needs of workers from each layoff. Surveys also help with determining labor availability for economic development purposes and provide demographic data that contribute toward meeting the needs of dislocated workers and the hiring needs of businesses. The State also uses ETT funds to create a funding pool for Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) and OJTs. These funds are provided to each region in addition to their formula distribution, ensure that dislocated workers remain competitive and keep their skills current. When regions have obligated or spent all of their formula funds and pool funds, additional funding can be requested. Based on availability of funds and the justification, additional funding may be awarded. The State also uses these funds to contract with State partners: UAW and the AFLCIO—to provide assistance, labor/management committees (Transition Teams), peer counselors, and many other services to promote and coordinate the reemployment of dislocated workers; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) to ensure that a UI expert is at all ETT meetings; and University of Missouri Extension to provide FastTrac New Ventures Entrepreneurial Training, and Take Control of Your Finances workshops. Additionally, the State’s ETT unit provides a two–day Career Compass Workshops for dislocated workers to assist them in navigating to a new career path. The State’s ETT unit regularly reviews these processes and activities surrounding the provision of ETT services to ensure effectiveness.
ETT should be proactive and strategic, not just a response to layoffs. Building and maintaining relationships with the business community is critical. Regional Workforce Coordinators and local Business Services teams typically have established relationships with local businesses. These relationships allow for early warning of potential layoffs, as well as allow opportunity for early intervention to help avert a layoff through programs such as Missouri’s Shared Work Program. Administered by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Shared Work is an alternative to layoffs for businesses faced with a reduction in available work. It allows participating business to reduce employee hours by 20–40% while supplementing their employees’ lost wages with Unemployment Insurance benefits.