Workforce Development Division

Improving employment opportunities for Alabamians is the mission of the Workforce Development Division.  WDD focuses on jobs, education, career development and job-training programs as it works to encourage economic development, prepare workers for stable and high-paying jobs and partners with employers.  WDD programs help the unemployed and welfare recipients to find work, assist students to prepare for future careers, serve persons with disabilities and aid workers when plants close.  WDD coordinates federal job-training programs that give citizens the tools they need to manage their careers and help companies identify skilled workers.  Through partnerships with companies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations, Workforce Development offers Alabamians a brighter future.

Workforce Investment Act

The U.S. Congress passed the Workforce Investment Act in 1998 to create a customer-focused approach to investing in workforce activities.  Under WIA, the Workforce Development Division works with the Alabama Workforce Investment Board and Local Workforce Investment Boards to integrate employment, training, and career development programs.  The Governor appoints the state board members to help oversee the statewide workforce investment system, including Alabama’s One-Stop Career Centers, which provide employment assistance, adult education and job training, and services for youth and dislocated workers.

The state and local boards develop and administer workforce activities in local workforce investment areas.  Working together, board members promote workforce development partnerships with local governments, schools, community college, businesses, local chambers of commerce, family service centers, and non-profit organizations.

Alabama’s Career Center System

Alabama’s network of 30 One-Stop Centers and 31 satellites are strategically located throughout the state.  Job development, occupational and educational training, vocational rehabilitation, veterans’ services, and unemployment insurance information are offered.  Employers work with local centers to locate employees with specific skills and the goal is to consolidate the delivery of services at a single location.  Many centers are electronically linked with partner agencies, such as the Alabama Departments of Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Rehabilitation Services, and Education, two-year colleges and others.

Incumbent Worker Program

In a constantly changing marketplace that requires new technology and demands new skills, the Incumbent Worker Program helps workers upgrade and acquire new skills so that employers can meet foreign competition, avoid layoffs and stay open.

Rapid Response Team

The Workforce Development Division provides on-site assistance to workers when plants announce layoffs.  Once ADECA receives notice of plant closings or substantial layoffs, the Rapid Response Team swiftly reacts and meets on-site with employers and employees affected by job loss.  At the employee group meetings, workers receive information about unemployment compensation, pension benefits, job training, employment services, health insurance, credit counseling, and many other services.

Youth Programs

WIA funds also provide services including programs for out-of-school youth that lack basic skills and are unemployed or underemployed and assistance for those with disabilities.

Toll-Free Jobs Help Line

1-877-US2-JOBS - Thousands of Alabamians call our toll-free help line which helps students, parents, workforce professionals, the unemployed, and underemployed make informed career decisions.  Callers request state labor market data, information on career, educational and training options, financial assistance, apprenticeships, unemployment insurance, and employment in the airport security and healthcare fields.

Alabama Customized Employment Program

The Alabama Customized Employment Program for Individuals with Disabilities provides for strategic planning and implementation activities designed to improve the employment and career advancement of people with disabilities.  The key goal of this program is to build the capacity of the Alabama Career Center System to develop and implement customized employment services to persons with disabilities.