Congress enacted the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in 1998 to replace the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) which had been the federal government's employment and training assistance program for 16 years. Unlike JTPA which allowed services and funds to flow through State agencies, WIA mandates more local involvement and ostensibly more local control.

The WIA provides the framework for a unique public private partnership to address employers needs for a skilled workforce and employees needs for training in high demand areas. WIA is an effort to empower individuals seeking employment by providing them with appropriate resources and training to increase their skill level to help meet the needs of the business community.

The Office of Economic Development works with the State DLIR Workforce Development Division (WDD) to provide services for Adult and Dislocated Workers programs and with UH Maui College Ku'ina Program to provide services for Youth.

The program is administered locally by The Office of Economic Development with an advisory board composed of a majority of private sector representatives. Other board members represent employee groups, non-profit service providers, and public sector agencies.

Draft WIA And Wagner-Peyser Local Area Plan

The County of Maui's Draft Local Area Plan under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 and Wagner-Peyser Act continues to be available for public comment through May 2, 2013.  The plan represents the County's Workforce Investment Board's efforts to maximize and coordinate resources under WIA for the period July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2017 with the assurance that the County will operate the WIA and Wagner-Peyser programs in accordance with this plan and applicable federal and state laws and regulations. 

Any comments may be submitted in writing to the:

Office of Economic Development
2200 Main Street, Suite 305
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793

Workforce Development Division/Work Source Maui
2064 Wells Street, Suite 108
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
or
Workforce Development Division/Work Source Molokai
55 Makaena Street
Kaunakakai, Hawaii 96748