TOOL KIT

THE RESOURCE FOR EMPLOYERS

WORKFORCE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Introduction

Expanding Your Workforce Pages 1 – 10

Recruiting Skilled Employees

Hiring Workers from Untapped Sources

Understanding Your Local Labor Market

Training Your Workforce Pages 11 – 14

Improving the Skills of Your Workforce

Accessing Assistance for Your Workers

Restructuring Your Workforce Pages 15 – 20

Managing Major Changes in Your Workforce

Understanding Trade Laws

Financing Your Workforce Pages 21 – 24

Using Employer Tax Credits

Accessing Other Financial Tools

Accessing Workforce Resources Pages 25 – 28

AWN Toll-Free Help Line

Your One-Stop Web Site

America’s Career Kit

Glossary Pages 29 – 34

Notes Pages 35 – 36

Other Important Information

INDEX
877-US-2JOBS OR 877-TTY-JOBS WWW.USWORKFORCE.ORG

INTRODUCTION

America’s Workforce Network is the name for the newly updated

federally-sponsored nationwide employment and training system.

America’s Workforce Network is committed to the nation’s workers

and their employers: committed to helping workers get the skills

they need to succeed in our high-tech world and committed to helping employers find the skilled workers they so desperately need. You

will find a system that is updated, responsive and comprehensive,

ready to meet your needs in a dynamic economy.

The new system is called a “network” because it offers a network of

 services and because it is created and maintained by a network of

partners – workers, employers, federal, state and local governments,

educational organizations and community- and faith-based groups.

Whenever you see the America’s Workforce Network name or logo,

you can instantly recognize it as a sign of high-quality, customerfocused employment and training services.

HOW TO USE THE WORKFORCE TOOL KIT

The Workforce Tool Kit is organized in sections which guide you to

services that assist in:

Expanding Your Workforce. This section explains how employers 

can find and hire qualified workers, even in a tight labor market.

You will learn how to team with state and local service providers 

to recruit workers who may be getting laid off and match them to

your need for skilled workers. In addition, you can access untapped

populations that are looking for jobs including youth, older workers,

welfare recipients, veterans and persons with disabilities. Labor 

market information is also readily available at the national, state 

and local level.
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Training Your Workforce. This section shows how various types of

training such as on-the-job and apprenticeship training will upgrade

your employees’ skills to maintain and improve your business’s productivity and save you money by training current employees rather

than hiring new ones. Available training options are described so

you can assist your employees in accessing the training they need.

Restructuring Your Workforce. This section details several strategies

and programs that are available to you if your business is experiencing downsizing, restructuring or closings. Information on preventing

and managing a layoff or closing is provided including assistance

available to you and your employees so you can access services

immediately, become familiar with the legal requirements during 

a layoff situation and provide your employees assistance in making

the transition to a new job.

Financing Your Workforce. This section provides you with information on using tax credits for hiring job seekers from various target

groups and examines other programs outside America’s Workforce

Network to financially assist you and your workforce.

Accessing Workforce Resources. This section explains the America’s

Workforce Network one-stop access points. The AWN Toll-Free 

Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) and www.usworkforce.org will help 

you find information on employment and training programs 

that fit your needs and help you locate a nearby One-Stop Career

Center. America’s Career Kit and other Web sites give you point-andclick access to an integrated suite of online workforce development 

tools. The Workforce Glossary also assists you in deciphering 

the many terms you may encounter in your search for workforce

information.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

The programs and services that are described in this tool kit have all

been developed in your community with the valuable input of many 

of your fellow employers. As a part of the Workforce Investment Act 

of 1998, employers have a key role in guiding and monitoring the

workforce system in every state and local area. Employers comprise 

a majority of the Workforce Investment Boards that are set up in

your community to oversee the local system of programs that serves

you, your employees and your community.

INTRODUCTION
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INTRODUCTION

As an employer, you are able to participate in the continuous

improvement of the workforce investment system and help to shape

the future for the health and growth of your community through

your state and local Workforce Investment Board. Use America’s

Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org to find the One-Stop

Career Center nearest you and speak with a local representative to

find out how you can get involved. Call the AWN Toll-Free Help Line

(877-US-2JOBS) or link to the National Association of Workforce

Boards at www.nawb.org.
RECRUITING SKILLED EMPLOYEES

Employers are challenged to find qualified, available workers.

America’s Workforce Network offers convenient, no-cost resources

available in your local community and on the Internet.

ONE-STOP SHOPPING FOR QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES

The local One-Stop Career Center is the heart of America’s

Workforce Network. This is where workers and employers connect.

The center provides job search and skills training services to workers

and recruitment services to employers. One-Stop Career Centers can

make the match between workers who need jobs and companies

that need employees. Here, you will find pre-screened applicants

who have the qualifications you are looking for. 

The One Stop Career Center will:

• Coordinate the initial communication between you and the pool

of qualified workers in your area as well as outside your area.

• Offer pre-screening of workers so you know you are getting 

skilled applicants.

• Provide you access to detailed labor market information in your

state and local area as well as nationally.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• To find your nearest One-Stop Career Center, use America’s Service

Locator at www.servicelocator.org or call the AWN Toll-Free Help

Line (877-US-2JOBS).

GO TO THE INTERNET FOR MORE ONE-STOP SERVICE

The Internet has opened a whole new world to employers who are

looking for the most qualified workers in the nation. America’s

Workforce Network offers a group of Web sites referred to as

“America’s Career Kit.” The sites include America’s Job Bank, one of

the most active job search sites on the Web. This service is free.

Through America’s Job Bank, www.ajb.org, you can:

• Post job listings that get national exposure.

• Search over 700,000 active resumes.

• Reach thousands of workers who access the Job Bank daily.

• Link to local One-Stop Career Centers to create interactive,

instantaneous job listings.

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America’s Job Bank provides immediate one-stop access to skilled

workers who are looking for jobs just like the one you are offering.

It is one of the fastest ways to find workers.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Link to www.ajb.org directly or go to www.usworkforce.org to

access America’s Job Bank.

• The AWN Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) also has information

on America’s Job Bank and its services.

RECRUITING SKILLED EMPLOYEES
HIRING WORKERS FROM UNTAPPED SOURCES

The One-Stop Career Center gives you access to workers who have

been trained in the skills that are in demand in your local labor market. When you use the One-Stop Career Center, you can be assured

of finding qualified workers, many of whom are available from

sources you may not have tapped. 

The training and reemployment services that come under the

umbrella of America’s Workforce Network are developed to prepare

workers who previously lacked the skills needed to succeed in today’s

workplace, especially high-tech skills. Many of the people who are

referred through the center have considerable work experience. 

One-Stop Career Centers put you in touch with prepared workers

who represent:

• Youth • Veterans

• Laid-Off Workers • Persons with Disabilities

• Older Workers • Ex-Offenders

• Welfare Recipients

YOUTH 

Young people are eager to apply their skills in the workplace and

enthusiastic about learning new workplace skills. They also bring

new ideas to their work and familiarity with how to accomplish

work tasks more effectively using computer-based technologies.

Youth can get the job done and energize the workplace.

One-Stop Career Centers can connect you to these youth (ages 14-21)

through a variety of national and state operated programs.

Employers can hire trained youth for part-time or summer jobs or

provide work-based learning opportunities that lead to stable job

paths and careers. 

America’s Workforce Network has several initiatives that provide 

academic and occupational training for youth and connections to

employers with unfilled labor needs. These initiatives include:

• Youth Activities @ www.usworkforce.org/resources/youthcouncils.

States and local communities provide youth opportunities for training through effective services that include a variety of options for

improving educational and skill competencies and connections to

employers. Thirty-six communities nationwide also have resources

to support the Youth Opportunity Movement, an initiative that

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aims to increase the long-term employment of youth that live in

inner-city, rural and high poverty areas.

• Job Corps @ www.jobcorpsworks.org. Job Corps is the nation's

largest and most comprehensive residential education and job

training program for at-risk youth, ages 16 through 24. Since 1964,

the program has provided more than 1.7 million disadvantaged

young people with the integrated academic, vocational and social

skills training they need to gain independence and get quality,

long-term jobs or further their education. Job Corps gives 

employers people who are highly competent technically and

knowledgeable about the workplace. 

• School-to-Work @ www.stw.ed.gov. Through the School-to-Work

initiative, employers in partnership with schools make the workplace an active learning environment. This is based on the proven

concept that education works best and is most useful for future

careers when students apply what they learn to real life, real work

situations. Employer involvement continues to grow in School-toWork across the country as you are able to reduce costs in recruiting, training and supervising by working with youth that are an

available pool of workers that will continue to grow and prepare

themselves for the workforce.

Youth Councils have been set up in many communities in conjunction with the Workforce Investment Board. They identify duplication

and gaps in services and provide valuable guidance on the provision

of comprehensive services and meeting the complex needs of youth

and their employers.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.jobcorpsworks.org and www.stw.ed.gov for more

information on these programs in your community and for contact 

information of the state coordinator.

• Go to your local One-Stop Career Center to find out more by 

calling the AWN Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or at America’s

Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

LAID-OFF WORKERS

Laid-off workers, often called dislocated workers, are a pool of experienced workers, many of whom have the skills your business needs.

HIRING WORKERS FROM UNTAPPED SOURCES
HIRING WORKERS FROM UNTAPPED SOURCES

One-Stop Career Centers serve workers who have been laid off by

assisting them find new jobs or learn new skills through training to

move into a different career. By connecting with your local One-Stop

Career Center, you can tap into a qualified source of job applicants

that are pre-screened and ready for you to interview. Many of these

laid-off workers will have received:

• Skills assessments

• Training opportunities

• Resume and interview skills training

• Job search assistance

• Local labor market information

Through these services, One-Stop Career Center staff helps you 

reach these qualified and ready-to-work applicants for your business.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.usworkforce.org/layoff for more information on services

available to you to find laid-off workers and the services they receive.

• Go to your local One-Stop Career Center to find out more by calling

the AWN Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or at America’s Service

Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

OLDER WORKERS

The One-Stop Career Centers work with older workers by providing

direct employment services and referring them for employment and

training services to the Senior Community Service Employment

Program. This program serves to train and employ persons with low

incomes that are 55 years old or over in jobs and then assist them in

finding job opportunities in the private sector.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Find your local One-Stop Career Center at the AWN Toll-Free Help

Line (877-US-2JOBS) or America’s Service Locator www.servicelocator.org for valuable information on such programs for older workers

and how employers can hire them.

• Go to www.doleta.gov directly or www.usworkforce.org for program information and how you can get involved as an employer.

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WELFARE RECIPIENTS

Employers who have hired welfare recipients report decisively 

positive experiences. In a 1998 survey of Welfare-to-Work 

Partnership members, 76% of the respondents said the former 

welfare recipients they hired were productive employees and almost

half reported the same or better retention rates as for employees

hired through standard channels. Employers who have hired welfare

recipients report the following benefits:

• Access to a larger, more diverse labor pool

• Good, productive workers

• Reduced employee turnover

• Subsidies and tax credits

• Improved human resource policies and morale for all entry-level staff

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.doleta.gov directly or to www.usworkforce.org for

more information on how you can access welfare recipients.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center about Welfare-to-Work

by calling the National Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or

accessing America’s Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

VETERANS

American veterans are yet another source of qualified workforce

power. Many of them have been through rigorous military training

— everything from computers to cooking skills. Access to this wide

array of skilled workers can be found through local One-Stop Career

Centers and the UMET (Use your Military Experience and Training)

Web site. The UMET Web site offers information and 

access to:

• Key skills and attributes of transitioning military personnel

• Comparability of military and civilian training

• Recognition of military training and experience

• Military records and transcripts

• Model employer-sponsored programs

These veterans have solid training through their military 

experience and are receiving the skills they need to transition 

into civilian careers.

HIRING WORKERS FROM UNTAPPED SOURCES
HIRING WORKERS FROM UNTAPPED SOURCES

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.dol.gov/dol/vets/public/credentials/webshare/

wwwroot/dol/index.htm directly or to www.usworkforce.org

for more information on how you can access veteran workers.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center about hiring veterans

by calling the AWN Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or accessing

America’s Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Employers often mistakenly believe that it costs too much to hire

workers with disabilities. In fact, most workers with disabilities

require no special accommodations and the cost for those who do is

minimal. The President’s Committee’s Job Accommodations Network

found that 62 percent of accommodations for workers with disabilities cost $1,000 or less.

The President’s Committee on Employment of People with

Disabilities offers several services that give you access to qualified

workers:

• Workforce Recruitment Program. Through the Workforce

Recruitment Program Database, you can fill your summer or permanent hiring needs with talented college students with disabilities. These candidates, from more than 150 colleges and universities, represent all majors, and range from college freshmen to

graduate students and law students. 

• Business Leadership Network. The Business Leadership Network

(BLN) is a national program led by employers in concert with state

and local government that engages the leadership and participation of companies to hire qualified job candidates with disabilities.

• Job Accommodations Network. The Job Accommodations Network

(JAN) is a toll-free information and referral service at (800)526-

7234 on job accommodations for people with disabilities; on the

employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and

on resources for technical assistance, funding, education and

services related to the employment of people with disabilities.

• High School/High Tech. The High School/High Tech program 

provides opportunities for students with disabilities to explore 

high-demand careers in science, mathematics and technology. 

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It offers students the chance to learn first-hand what it is like to

work in high-tech environments through site visits, mentoring,

shadowing and paid summer internships.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.pcepd.gov directly, www.usworkforce.org or

www.disAbility.gov for more information on how you can access

workers with disabilities.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center about hiring persons

with disabilities by calling the AWN Toll-Free Help Line (877-US2JOBS) or accessing America’s Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

When you contact these sources, ask about other community

resources available to assist in recruiting persons with disabilities.

EX-OFFENDERS

Many ex-offenders are being released back into their communities

every year and are seeking jobs and the stability that a job brings. 

It is probably no surprise, though, that the biggest single factor

leading to another incarceration is unemployment. 

The Federal Bonding Program (FBP) has, over the last 30+ years,

enabled thousands of ex-offenders to successfully transition back

into the world of work. It is a business insurance policy that protects

the employer in case of any loss of money or property for which the

employee is responsible. About 40,000 applicants have obtained

jobs due to being bonded and 99% have proven to be productive

employees.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.ttrc.doleta.gov/onestop/FBP.htm directly or to

www.usworkforce.org for more information.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center about the 

Federal Bonding Program by calling the AWN Toll-Free Help Line

(877-US-2JOBS) or accessing America’s Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

HIRING WORKERS FROM UNTAPPED SOURCES
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Current and accurate information is important to managing your

business. Through America’s Workforce Network you get the up-todate labor market information you need to evaluate the labor markets

from which you recruit and plan for your future workforce needs.

Every state offers labor market information, population statistics and

economic statistics that provide a profile of the labor markets and

local economies in which you do business. You can periodically

renew your understanding of the dynamics of your local labor market by visiting Web sites such as www.acinet.org/acinet/st_sear.htm,

www.lmi-net.org/state2.htm, or www.state.nd.us/jsnd/related3.htm.

ACCESSING ECONOMIC AND OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION

Understanding the overall economic and occupational climate will

assist you in planning for your workforce needs. Information, such as

industry trends, unemployment rates and the Occupational Outlook

Handbook, provides guidance in preparing workforce recruiting

plans and human resources programs that will create incentives 

for workers to stay and grow with your company. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is an independent national 

statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes and disseminates

essential statistical data to the American public, the U.S. Congress,

other federal agencies, state and local governments, business and

labor. The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a comprehensive Web 

site (www.bls.gov) that you can access to find data and information

such as:

• Employment and unemployment statistics

• Prices and living conditions

• Compensation and working conditions

• Productivity and technology

• Employment projections

• International programs

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.bls.gov directly or to www.usworkforce.org for more

information on how you can access up-to-date and relevant labor

market information.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center about labor 

market information by calling the AWN Toll-Free Help Line 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR LOCAL LABOR MARKET
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(877-US-2JOBS) or accessing America’s Service Locator at 

www.servicelocator.org.

NEWEST WEB TOOLS FOR ACCESSING 

LABOR MARKET INFORMATION

A powerful Web-based tool to use in your search for qualified 

applicants and solid labor market information is O*NET Online

(online.onetcenter.org). O*NET is a comprehensive resource of 

information about jobs and occupations. It integrates a database

with a common language for describing jobs and skills descriptions

to create a tool that is useful to businesses. You and your human

resources staff will be able to use this information to:

• Develop concise job descriptions.

• Refine recruitment and training goals.

• Develop better job descriptions to target more qualified workers.

• Define success factors for promotion and advancement.

Another easy-to-use tool for accessing labor market information 

is America’s Career InfoNet (www.acinet.org). This Web site accesses

the ALMIS database and displays a variety of occupational, demographic

and labor market information at the local, state, and national levels.

America’s Career InfoNet also includes an extensive collection of links

to other Internet resources through its Career Resource Library.

Through the Web site, you are also able to access America’s Job Bank

and America’s Learning eXchange.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go directly to the Web addresses listed above or to www.usworkforce.org for more information on how you can access labor 

market information.

• Access these Web sites and other relevant labor market information at your local One-Stop Career Center by calling the AWN 

Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or accessing America’s Service

Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR LOCAL LABOR MARKET
IMPROVING THE SKILLS OF YOUR WORKFORCE

Where is your industry moving? Do your employees or potential 

employees have the skills needed to help you grow? Many public programs are available to train your current workforce, sometimes with

funding provided to either you or your employees directly. 

TRAINING YOUR CURRENT WORKFORCE

Many large corporations are instituting their own in-house training

to assure access to the skills they need and to stay competitive. Small

businesses and firms face the same business need to have the skills

available required for growth. From frontline workers to professional

and management staff, the demand for training increases as industries and companies expand. 

Incumbent Worker Training is an emerging service which helps

employers train their current workforce. When fully developed by

states, this training initiative will work to:

• Build a better system to support employer investments in training.

• Provide important information on incumbent worker training

opportunities.

• Meet the needs of all sizes of companies.

• Examine the use of technology in training workers.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.usworkforce.org later this year for more information

on how you may be able to access incumbent worker training.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center or your state’s

Dislocated Worker Unit about incumbent worker training by calling

the AWN Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or accessing America’s

Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

TRAINING THROUGH APPRENTICESHIPS

Registered apprenticeship is a formalized career-training program

that offers a combination of structured on-the-job training and 

related theoretical instruction. As apprenticeship training standards

are industry-driven, businesses play a major role in determining the

skills that are essential to build and sustain a quality workforce.

The Apprenticeship Training Program safeguards the welfare of

apprentices, ensures the quality and equality of access of apprenticeship programs and provides integrated employment and 

training information to sponsors and the local employment 

and training community.

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Apprenticeship sponsors include individual employers, associations of

employers or labor and management partnerships. Individual applicants for apprenticeship programs must be at least 16 years 

old and meet the program sponsor's qualifications. Generally, applicants must satisfy the employer sponsor that they have the ability,

aptitude and education to master the rudiments of the occupation

and complete the related instruction required in the program.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.doleta.gov/atels_bat directly or to

www.usworkforce.org for more information on how you can setup

an apprenticeship training program in your company.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center about 

apprenticeship opportunities for your business by calling the AWN

Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or accessing America’s Service

Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

ONLINE SOURCE FOR WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EDUCATION

To find resources for building employee productivity and worker

skills, America’s Learning eXchange (www.alx.org) gives you instant,

free online access to the definitive database of workforce training

and education opportunities. With 250,000 offerings from more than

5,000 providers, the training options on America’s Learning eXchange

are greatly varied and are sure to meet your needs to upgrade and

advance your employees’ skills. Through this Internet service, you will

find information and tools that will help in making better business

decisions about training options including: 

• Benchmarking and determining return on investment.

• Guides for selecting providers and products.

• Checklists to assess the appropriateness of training technologies.

• Research about training and workforce development.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.alx.org directly or to www.usworkforce.org for more

information on how you can learn about various training programs

for your company.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center about America’s

Learning eXchange by calling the AWN Toll-Free Help Line 

(877-US-2JOBS) or accessing America’s Service Locator at 

www.servicelocator.org.

IMPROVING THE SKILLS OF YOUR WORKFORCE
ACCESSING ASSISTANCE FOR YOUR WORKERS

America’s Workforce Network provides you with the tools you need

to find educational opportunities on workplace issues to help your

employees be productive.

FIGHTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE

Employers confront social forces outside the workplace that affect

their companies’ productivity and growth, especially substance abuse.

Approximately 71% of drug users in the United States are employed,

costing American businesses billions of dollars annually in lost productivity and increased health care costs. In response, many employers have established workplace substance abuse programs to ensure

that their workforces are productive, their workplaces are safe and

the success of their businesses is not hindered by substance abuse.

Establishing a program in the workplace does more than decrease

substance abuse just in the workplace. It significantly contributes to

the creation of alcohol- and drug-free families, schools and communities. Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free American

Workplace serves as a valuable educational resource for employers

and employees in their fight against alcohol and drug abuse in 

the workplace. 

According to Working Partners, substance abuse programs should

include those components that you and your employees identify as

important to the company. There are five standard components of 

a comprehensive workplace substance abuse program that you may

want to consider. They include:

• A written policy statement

• Supervisor training

• Employee education and awareness

• Employee assistance for providing help

• Drug and alcohol testing

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Where to Go for Assistance —

• To find out more about Working Partners for an Alcohol- and 

Drug-Free American Workplace, go to www.dol.gov or email

webwp@dol.gov.

• For more information about Substance Abuse in the Workplace 

training, call 1-800-WORKPLACE to access information and advice.
MANAGING MAJOR CHANGES IN YOUR WORKFORCE

Even in a robust economy, you may need to engage in layoffs, downsizings and restructuring in order to adjust to changing technology

and industry fluctuations. America’s Workforce Network provides

assistance to both employers and workers to manage these changes

and lessen the impact on your employees and community.

RAPID RESPONSE — FINDING HELP FOR YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES

If you are reducing the size of your workforce, changing its skill mix

or anticipating a business closure, Rapid Response services can help

you meet your business needs while recognizing the needs of your

employees and community. Your local Rapid Response team will be

sensitive to your concerns such as confidentiality, maintaining productivity and transitioning your employees to new jobs or training.

The Rapid Response team will provide:

• An initial employer meeting to plan transition services for your 

employees.

• Presentations to your employees on available services.

• An on-site career center for your employees, when needed.

• Skill assessments of your employees both as a group and

individually.

• Possible options to reduce or avoid the layoff.

• Coordination with outplacement services you may have hired.

• Access to One-Stop Career Center services your employees need.

• Applications for federal funds for your workforce.

The Rapid Response team can help you build into new jobs or training

the services you need to manage the transition of your employees

and ensure stability in the community in a positive and productive

manner. In some states, the Rapid Response team can present

options and provide assistance to employers and communities who

wish to develop layoff aversion strategies, or who wish to link federal, state and local economic development activities with state and

local business retention and recruitment activities.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Call 877-US-2JOBS and ask for your state’s Dislocated Worker Unit.

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• Access the employer section of the Dislocated Worker Web Site 

on www.usworkforce.org/layoff for more information.

UNDERSTANDING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A LARGE EMPLOYER

DURING A LAYOFF

In general, if you are a business that employs at least 100 full-time

workers and are planning a layoff of at least 50 workers, you may be

required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act

(WARN) to provide 60 days written notice to your workers, the state

Dislocated Worker Unit and the chief elected official. This notice is

the action that often triggers Rapid Response services.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Call 877-US-2JOBS to connect with your state’s Dislocated 

Worker Unit for state-specific information.

• Check out www.doleta.gov/programs/factsht/warn.htm for

detailed information on WARN or go to www.usworkforce.org.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES

You can help your employees during a layoff to make the transition

to new jobs or training by providing them information on income

support assistance available to them.

• Unemployment Insurance (UI) @ www.doleta.gov/layoff/ui.htm.

The UI program pays benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed and meet other state requirements. Also known as unemployment compensation, UI can help to preserve the economic

health of communities by maintaining the purchasing power of

these workers.

• Trade Readjustment Benefits @ www.doleta.gov/programs/tra.htm.

Employees who have lost their job due to foreign competition 

or because the business moved to Canada or Mexico may be eligible for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act and/or 

the North American Free Trade Agreement-Transitional Adjustment

Assistance.

• Health Benefit Options @ www.dol.gov/dol/pwba. Under what 

is often known as COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget

Reconciliation Act), your employees and their families may be able

to purchase extended health coverage up to 18 months after a 

MANAGING MAJOR CHANGES IN YOUR WORKFORCE
MANAGING MAJOR CHANGES IN YOUR WORKFORCE

layoff. Another law, the Health Insurance Portability Accountability

Act (HIPAA), provides for laid-off workers who may be eligible to

enroll in a spouse’s health plan under a special enrollment period.

• Pension Benefits Options @ www.dol.gov/dol/pwba. Employees

who have been laid off and were active participants in your company’s pension plan may be eligible to roll over vested pension

benefits to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). 

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) @ www.doleta.gov/programs/disaster.htm. Laid-off employees may be eligible for DUA 

if they lose their job or have a significant interruption of work during a disaster as declared by the President of the United States and

are not entitled to unemployment insurance. The employees who

are able to use this program must meet certain state criteria.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Call the AWN Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) for more

information and to contact your state’s Dislocated Worker Unit to

find out more.

• Link to the Web addresses listed above or go to www.usworkforce.org and find “Dislocated Workers” under the GO drop box.

TRAINING ASSISTANCE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES

As many employers are demanding a more highly skilled workforce,

many workers want to improve their skills to make them more marketable and valuable to employers. These workers want to make

more money, have job security and feel valued as a knowledgeable

employee. However, training and higher education costs money that

not all companies offer.

Through America’s Workforce Network, Individual Training Accounts

(ITAs) are available to adult workers, including those who are unemployed or who are receiving a low wage. They can choose from a list

of eligible training providers and make informed career choices using

ITAs to pay for their training. ITAs offer American workers the chance

to receive customized training that fits their needs and good consumer information on training providers.

You will benefit from ITAs because they help to build a larger pool

of skilled workers who are on a career path of their choice.

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Where to Go for Assistance —

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center about Individual

Training Accounts and how they work by calling the AWN Toll-Free

Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or accessing America’s Service Locator at

www.servicelocator.org.

MANAGING MAJOR CHANGES IN YOUR WORKFORCE
UNDERSTANDING TRADE LAWS

If you are laying off workers due to import competition or 

because of a shift in production to Mexico or Canada, individualized

assistance is available at no cost to help your employees under the

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and the North American Free

Trade Agreement-Transitional Adjustment Assistance (NAFTA-TAA)

programs. You may even file a TAA or NAFTA-TAA petition on behalf

of your employees to certify them for benefits beyond those normally available under regular Unemployment Insurance. 

TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

You can help your employees if they have been laid off or their

hours and wages are reduced due to foreign competition. The Trade

Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program is a federal program established under the Trade Act of 1974 and provides aid to workers 

who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced

as a result of increased imports. It provides affected workers with 

the opportunity to engage in long-term training while receiving

income support.

The TAA program provides a comprehensive, timely array of retraining and reemployment services to all affected workers. Services to

eligible workers might include:

• Reemployment services • Income support

• Job search allowance • Subsistence allowance

• Relocation allowance • Transportation allowance

• Training (on-the-job or classroom)

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Access the employer section of the Dislocated Worker Web Site 

on www.usworkforce.org/layoff for more information.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center or your state’s

Dislocated Worker Unit by calling the AWN Toll-Free Help Line

(877-US-2JOBS) or find them at America’s Service Locator at

www.servicelocator.org.

NAFTA-TAA

The North American Free Trade Agreement-Transitional Adjustment

Assistance (NAFTA-TAA) program assists workers who lose their jobs

or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of

imports from Canada or Mexico. The services provided are similar, if

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not the same, as services under Trade Adjustment Assistance.

The NAFTA-TAA program offers help to employees whose companies

have been directly or indirectly impacted as a result of imports from,

or a shift in production to, Canada or Mexico, known as primary and

secondary firms, respectively. 

Primary firms are those, which are directly affected by imports from

Canada or Mexico or have shifted production to Canada or Mexico.

Secondary firms are those which supply primary firms and/or assemble or finish products of the primary firm. Employees of secondary

firms that have obtained a NAFTA affirmative finding are eligible to

receive services under dislocated worker programs authorized under

the Workforce Investment Act.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Access the employer section of the Dislocated Worker Web Site 

on www.usworkforce.org/layoff for more information.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center or your state’s

Dislocated Worker Unit by calling the AWN Toll-Free Help Line

(877-US-2JOBS) or find them at America’s Service Locator at

www.servicelocator.org.

UNDERSTANDING TRADE LAWS
USING EMPLOYER TAX CREDITS

Tax credits are available if you hire many low-income workers such as

welfare recipients, high-risk youth, veterans, food stamp recipients,

vocational rehabilitation referrals and ex-felons. 

WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal income tax

credit that encourages you to hire eight targeted groups of job seekers. The WOTC can reduce your federal tax liability by as much as

$2,400 per new hire. This employer tax incentive joins other employment programs and tax credit initiatives aimed at helping American

workers and increasing American productivity and economic growth.

The new hire must belong to one of eight WOTC target groups: 

• Welfare recipients

• 18-24 year-old food stamp recipients

• Veterans

• Vocational rehabilitation referrals

• 16-17 year-old residents of Empowerment Zones or Enterprise

Communities hired as “Summer Youth Employees”

• 18-24 year-old residents of Empowerment Zones or Enterprise

Communities

• Ex-felons or work-release inmates from low-income families

• Recipients of Supplemental Security Income benefits

The WOTC for new hires employed 400 or more hours is 40% of

qualified wages for the first year of employment; the credit for new

hires employed 120 to 400 hours is 25%. Qualified wages are capped

at $6,000 for all WOTC target groups except Summer Youth, whose

wages are capped at $3,000. 

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Access the www.doleta.gov/employer/wotc.htm directly or

www.usworkforce.org for more information on the WOTC.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center by calling the AWN 

Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or find them at America’s

Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

WELFARE-TO-WORK TAX CREDIT

The Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit is a federal income tax credit that

encourages employers to hire long-term welfare recipients. This tax

credit can reduce your federal tax liability by as much as $8,500 per

new hire. The people who qualify under this credit are:

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• Those who have received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

(TANF) for a total of 18 months.

• Those lost their TANF eligibility as it expired under limitation

imposed by federal or state law.

The Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit for your new hires employed 400 or

more hours or 180 days is 35% of qualified wages for the first year

of employment and 50% for the second year. Qualified wages are

capped at $10,000 per annum. 

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Access the www.doleta.gov/employer/wtwweb.htm directly or

www.usworkforce.org for more information on the Welfare-toWork Tax Credit.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center by calling the AWN 

Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or find them at America’s

Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

TAX CREDITS FOR HIRING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

In addition to tax credits for businesses that hire individuals who are

referred from vocational rehabilitation agencies, two other business

tax incentives are available to you:

• Deduction for cost of removing barriers to the disabled and 

elderly. You can take this deduction if you make your facility or

transportation vehicles more accessible to and usable by workers

who have disabilities or are elderly.

• Disabled Access Credit. This is a tax credit for an eligible small 

business that pays or incurs expenses to provide access to persons

with disabilities. The expenses must be to enable your business to

comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Access www.dol.gov/dol/_sec/public/programs/ptfread/main.htm

directly or www.usworkforce.org for more information on these

tax credits.

• Contact your local One-Stop Career Center by calling the AWN

Toll-Free Help Line (877-US-2JOBS) or find them at America’s

Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org.

USING EMPLOYER TAX CREDITS
ACCESSING OTHER FINANCIAL TOOLS

Other assistance for your business may be available for you if you are

in an industry experiencing workforce fluctuations or you have a

small business that is trying to compete and grow. Other businesses

that may be located in a rural area or inner-city can receive assistance to enable growth in production and jobs.

HELP FOR MANUFACTURERS

If you have a small manufacturing business, you may face limited

budgets, lack of in-house expertise and lack of access to the newest

technologies. The Manufacturing Extention Project (MEP) can help

your business overcome these barriers.

MEP is a nationwide network of not-for-profit Centers in over 400

locations nationwide, whose sole purpose is to provide small and

medium-sized manufacturers with the help they need to succeed.

The Centers, serving all 50 States, the District of Columbia and

Puerto Rico, are linked together through the Department of

Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. 

Here are some examples where the MEP can help your business:

• Process improvement • Product development 

• Quality management systems • Energy audits 

• Business management systems • Environmental studies

• Human resource development • Financial planning

• Market development • CAD/CAM/CAE

• Materials engineering • Electronic commerce/EDI 

• Plant layout 

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.mep.nist.gov or call 1-800-MEP-4MFG to locate the

Center closest to you.

SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH

If you have a small business, the U.S. Small Business Administration

(SBA) can provide financial, technical and management assistance to

you. SBA is the nation's largest single financial backer of small businesses. The SBA can assist you in finding:

• Loans to start, run, and maintain your business

• Government contracting opportunities through PRO-Net

• Subcontracting opportunities through SUB-Net

• Venture capital opportunities through ACE-Net

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• International trade and export assistance through TradeNet

• Technology-based business information on Tech-Net

• Updated laws and regulations affecting small businesses

Where to Go for Assistance —

• All of these SBA programs can be accessed at www.sba.gov, 

recognized by Forbes magazine in its Best of the Web issue, 

or call 1-800-UASK-SBA (800-827-5722).

ASSISTANCE FOR EMPLOYERS IN RURAL AND INNER-CITY AREAS

If you have a business located in one of America’s inner cities or distressed rural communities, you may be eligible for federal tax incentives or grants through the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise

Community (EZ/EC). 

EZ/EC targets $2.5 billion in federal tax incentives and $1.3 billion 

in flexible grant assistance to distressed urban and rural areas.

Rather than imposing restrictive federal mandates on America's 

communities, this effort recognizes that local residents know best

how to solve their neighborhood's problems. And it rewards communities that bring together many local partners — residents, business

people, state and local government, nonprofit institutions — to

make these solutions a reality.

EZ/EC designations help 105 communities in 42 states to empower

their residents and implement their visions for a better future.

Where to Go for Assistance —

• Go to www.ezec.gov or call (202) 619-7980 to locate the EZ/EC

closest to you.

ACCESSING OTHER FINANCIAL TOOLS
THE AWN TOLL-FREE HELP LINE

877-US-2JOBS or 877-TTY-JOBS

As a part of the One-Stop concept, America’s Workforce Network’s

(AWN) Toll-Free Help Line has been launched to assist employers and

workers in finding the necessary resources for their workforce needs

in their state and local areas. You can call this number and receive

general information about all major programs and services under

America’s Workforce Network including:

• Youth Employment

• Welfare-to-Work

• Apprenticeship Training

• Employment of Persons with Disabilities

• Rapid Response Services

• Training Programs

• Unemployment Insurance

• Restructuring/Layoff Services

You will also be able to access your state and local contacts 

to find out more about these services in your area. Also, 

www.servicelocator.org has all of these contacts for you in 

an easily searchable database.

The AWN Toll-Free Help Line started service in July 1999, helping you

and other employers find information about the dislocated worker

programs and services and other workforce development programs

across the country. States and other agencies supply information that

is stored in an automated database and used by customer service

representatives at a state-of-the art national call center to provide

answers to questions and to connect customers to the appropriate

resource at the state or local level for accessing services. 

Fast, accurate, and world-class service.

Information is available in multiple languages and TTY. 

(For TTY, call 1-877 TTY-JOBS: 1-877-889-5627)

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WWW.USWORKFORCE.ORG

USWORKFORCE.ORG is your one-stop Web site for information on

relevant workforce issues, programs and connections. It represents

an unprecedented collaboration between public and private sector

groups and individuals to provide access to workforce information

and resources and to apply that information toward innovative and

effective partnerships and programs.

The usworkforce.org site provides information on:

• Recruiting Qualified Employees

• Connections to Pools of Untapped Workers

• Incentives to Employers

• Help to Employers During Downsizings or Layoffs

• Labor Market Information

• Workforce Development Opportunities

• Contacts to Professional Societies

• Unemployment Compensation

• Policies and Regulations that Affect Your Business

Just go to the navigation bar at the top and hit “Employers.”

YOUR ONE-STOP WORKFORCE WEB SITE
AMERICA’S CAREER KIT

NEWEST SUITE OF ELECTRONIC TOOLS

FOR EMPLOYERS

With more than seven million user sessions a month, employers looking to stay competitive in the digital age are discovering America’s

Career Kit. You are just a few clicks away from all the resources you

need to support recruiting efforts and stay competitive. 

America’s Job Bank (www.ajb.org)

America’s Job Bank gives you access to over 700,000 resumes online.

You can type in your criteria including job title, skills required and

geographic location of a job candidate. You can save your searches

through the AJB Job Scout feature and reports will be sent to you

when candidates matching your criteria enter their resumes. AJB is

also the Web site for posting your job listings. You can find qualified

applicants to fill critical job vacancies or new positions quickly.

America’s Career InfoNet (www.acinet.org) 

America’s Career InfoNet (ACINet) is an electronic storehouse of comprehensive state and local labor market data not available anywhere

else. You can review prevailing salaries and living costs in other markets to see if the salaries and benefits you are offering are competitive. Find information on general trends in the job market — what

industries are the fastest growing, what occupations are declining in

employment opportunities, what occupations are the highest paying.

ACINet also provides information on what skills are necessary to perform specific jobs, and what specific tasks are involved in the job.

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America’s Learning eXchange (www.alx.org)

America’s Learning eXchange (ALX) is a virtual yellow pages of training and education resources to ensure a well-trained and productive

workforce. Courses range from traditional classroom settings to distance learning to meet the needs of your employees. ALX offers

courses, seminars and degree and non-degree programs. 

America's Service Locator (www.servicelocator.org)

America’s Service Locator (ASL) gives employers a map and driving

directions to the public service offices with information on career

planing, recruiting employees, locating training, helping employees

deal with job loss, finding child care facilities and more. By typing 

in your address and specifying what information you are looking for,

employers are given contact information, a map and driving directions to the location nearest to them.
YOUR WORKFORCE GLOSSARY

Adult Worker

An adult worker is age 18 and over and is eligible for employment

and training services. Priority for certain services are given to recipients of public assistance and other low-income individuals.

America’s Career Kit

America’s Career Kit is an integrated suite of Web sites that include

America’s Job Bank, America’s Career InfoNet, America’s Learning

eXchange and America’s Service Locator.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination

on the basis of disability. Employers with 15 or more employees and

state and local government employment practices are covered. State

and local governments are also prohibited from discriminating

against individuals with disabilities when providing programs, activities or services. In addition, the ADA prohibits discrimination on the

basis of disability in places of privately operated of public accommodation, including all hotels, restaurants, retail stores, places of recreation and in transportation services.

Apprenticeship Training

Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related

classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by individual employers, employer associations

and joint labor and management partnerships.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives

workers who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by the plan of a previous employer under certain circumstances.

Dislocated Worker

A dislocated worker is an adult who has been permanently laid off

or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment

due to no fault of their own.

Dislocated Worker Unit

The state agency responsible for ensuring effective Rapid Response

services for workers, employers and communities affected by plant

closings and mass layoffs and for connecting those groups to other

available services.

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Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides for

the payment of unemployment assistance to individuals not otherwise eligible for unemployment compensation, whose unimployment

is the direct result of a major disaster as declared by the President of

the United States. 

Federal Bonding Program

The Federal Bonding Program offers services to employers free-ofcharge and serves as an incentive to the company to hire a job applicant who is an ex-offender or has some other "risk" factor in their

personal background.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

offers new protections for millions of American workers that

improves portability and continuity of health insurance coverage.

Job Corps

Job Corps is the nation's largest and most comprehensive residential

education and job training program for at-risk youth, ages 16

through 24. Since 1964, the program has provided more than 1.7

million disadvantaged young people with the integrated academic,

vocational, and social skills training they need to gain independence

and get quality, long-term jobs or further their education. 

Labor Market Information (LMI)

Labor market information provides statistics on occupational trends,

unemployment rates and other economic statistics. 

Manufacturing Extension Project (MEP)

MEP, accessed through www.mep.nist.gov, is a nationwide network

of not-for-profit Centers in over 400 locations nationwide, whose

sole purpose is to provide small and medium-sized manufacturers

with the help they need to succeed.

North American Free Trade Agreement Act-Transitional Adjustment

Assistance (NAFTA-TAA)

The NAFTA-TAA program assists workers who lose their jobs or

whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of imports

from, or a shift in production to, Canada or Mexico.

Older Worker

Older workers are people that are 55 years old or over. Those who

are have low-income may receive services such as government subsiYOUR WORKFORCE GLOSSARY
YOUR WORKFORCE GLOSSARY

dized jobs and assistance in finding job opportunities in the 

private sector.

One-Stop Career Center

A One-Stop Career Center provides employers and workers with

access and resources to obtain employment and training services 

at a single neighborhood location.

Pension Benefits

Workers who were active participants in an employer’s pension plan

may be eligible to roll over vested pension benefits to an Individual

Retirement Account (IRA) or to a new employer’s retirement plan.

Rapid Response

Rapid Response is the program that provides early intervention services designed to respond to layoffs of more than 50 employees

before the layoff actually occurs. Rapid Response helps to transition

workers into new jobs or training opportunities.

School-to-Work 

The School-to-Work (STW) initiative establishes the infrastructure

for a system that facilitates youth in building skill competencies,

learning in a work-based environment and entering into employment that has continuing learning and career potential. STW is

based on existing models and efforts such as career academies,

youth apprenticeship, Tech Prep and cooperative education. The

School-to-Work initiative makes the workplace an active learning

environment. 

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

The TAA program provides aid to workers who lose their jobs or

whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased

imports. Workers may be eligible for training, job search and relocation allowances, income support and other reemployment services.

Trade Readjustment Allowance

Trade Readjustment Allowance is an income support benefit available to those workers who were laid off or had hours reduced

because their employer was adversely affected by increased imports

from other countries. 

Unemployment Insurance (UI) (a.k.a. Unemployment Compensation)

Unemployment insurance is a federal-state program that pays benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed and who meet other

state requirements.

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U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

The U.S. Department of Labor is charged with preparing the

American workforce for new and better jobs, and ensuring the adequacy of America's workplaces. It is responsible for a wide variety of

workplace activities for nearly 10 million employers and well over

100 million workers.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides financial, technical

and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow

their businesses.

Veteran

Veterans have solid training through their military experience.

Veterans are often directed to services that transition and enhance

the skills they acquired in the military.

Wagner-Peyser Act

The Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933 provides for the establishment of a

national employment service system and for federal-state cooperation in the promotion of such system.

Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit

Employers, by hiring eligible welfare recipients, can earn a Welfareto-Work (WtW) Tax Credit for up to $3,500 for their first year of

employment, and $5,000 for their second year of employment. The

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (P.L.

106-170) was signed into law on December 17, 1999 and re-authorizes the Work Opportunity and WtW tax credits for a 30 month period

through December 31, 2001, retroactive to the credits’ expiration

date of June 30, 1999. The re-authorization applies to individuals

who began work for the employer applying for the credit on or after

July 1, 1999, and before January 1, 2002.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit provides federal income tax 

credits for new hires from among eight target groups. An employer’s

federal income tax liability can be reduced by as much as $2400 per

eligible hire. 

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)

WARN offers protection to workers, their families and communities

by requiring employers to provide written notice 60 days in advance

YOUR WORKFORCE GLOSSARY
YOUR WORKFORCE GLOSSARY

of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. This notice must

be provided to either affected workers or their representatives (e.g.,

a labor union), to the Dislocated Worker Unit and to the appropriate

unit of local government.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 provides the framework 

for a new national workforce preparation and employment system

designed to meet both the needs of the nation’s businesses and the

needs of job seekers and those who want to further their careers.

Workforce Investment Board (WIB)

In partnership with state and local elected officials, WIBs plan and

oversee the state and local workforce investment system. These

boards must have at least 50 percent of its members as representatives of private industry and business.

Youth

Youth who qualify for services are those who range from age 14-21,

possibly in low-income family and face a variety of challenges in

becoming self-sufficient and stable in their careers.

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NOTES

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NOTES