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Department Of Labor's Job Expands

July 1, 1999
No. 00-01

On July 1, 1999, new legislation expanded the Alaska Department of Labor's scope of responsibilities and changed the name to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.  The change is a result of the passage of House Bill 40, combining two departments and expanding the focus of two others.

The new Department of Labor and Workforce Development takes on several functions of the former Department of Community and Regional Affairs, including the Job Training Partnership Act JTPA) program, the State Training and Employment Program (STEP), and the Alaska State Community Service Commission that administers AmeriCorps. The legislation also transfers from the Governor's Office the Alaska Human Resource Investment Council (AHRIC), created in 1995 to develop a more efficient and cost-effective employment and training system for Alaska's employers and job seekers, and the system of one-stop career centers known as the Alaska Job Center Network.  Transfer of the AHRIC takes effect on July 1, 2000.  The consolidation legislation also transfers three functions of the Department of Education to Labor, including Adult Basic Education (ABE), the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the State Independent Living Council.

The consolidation objectives are to modernize state government and strengthen the delivery of workforce development services to Alaskans.  The Department of Labor and Workforce Development is developing a consolidation and orientation plan for the expanded functions.
 
 

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