More than any other time in the passage of employment training laws, the recently enacted Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides the opportunity to improve the employment and training efforts funded with public resources.

The WIA insists on the involvement of business representation at a significant level by setting up Workforce Policy Boards to make decisions about how to allocate funding and to mold and direct the local workforce development system. Under the WIA, business must make up 51% of all Workforce Policy Boards.

We have the chance now, more than ever, to make our voice and perspective be heard!! In addition to the Workforce Policy Board, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce has created a new website, www.trainingtowork.com, to assist employers with finding training to develop their current workforce; access new sources of employees who have recently updated their skills; and provide feedback on training programs in the area to contribute to continual improvement of the programs.

Find more information on the WIA Legislation at http://www.usworkforce.org/.