This article is from Cal-Tax Digest, published by the California Taxpayers' Association. Dozens of different government-funded efforts have been created over the years with the common objective of helping people learn skills that will help them get a job, keep a job, or get a better job.
Employers also benefit when applicants and employees are more skilled and ready to work.
Last year, Congress updated the federal job training law, renaming it the Workforce Investment Act. In California, the Legislature is treating the new federal law as an opportunity to review and improve the state's efforts in preparing people for work and giving employers a significant role in designing programs. A report card will measure the success of each training program based on tracking whether trainees later found jobs. The state board must integrate labor market information and economic development data to make expenditure decisions for training relevant to California's dynamic business growth. Education agencies that provide occupational training will be included on the state and local boards along with such traditional agencies as the Employment Development Department.