Labor Announces New Division Of Business Partnerships

Jan. 24, 2003
No. 02-79

(Juneau) -Greg O'Claray, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development today announced the formation of the Division of Business Partnerships within the department. The new division is structured to strongly emphasize the critical nature of enhanced relationships with employers by aligning federally mandated employer-led workforce investment boards and functions into a single division.

The federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, mandated that states create employer-led boards to provide optimum policy-making authority in the development and oversight of workforce development and training programs. To fulfill the basic requirements of the federal act, in 1999 the Alaska Human Resources Investment Council was designated the state's workforce investment board. The board's name was changed in 2002 to the Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) and it was moved into the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The new division will encompass the AWIB, the Alaska Workforce Investment Office, Balance of State Workforce Investment Board, and other functions needed to support the board system.

"Developing our human resources is a critical part of growing a strong economy for Alaska. Partnering with Alaska's businesses and employers in the development of jobs and workforce training will ensure that a well-trained Alaskan workforce is available to fill employers' needs," said O'Claray. "Creating the Division of Business Partnerships sends a clear signal to industry and business that Alaska is not only open for business, but ready to do business."

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