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DWD > Workforce Services > JOBS Initiative (Reed Act Funds) JOBS Initiative (Reed Act Funds)

Introduction

The federal Reed Act Funds approved for the Job Opportunities Business Services (JOBS) initiative has been extended through July 1, 2012.  The balance of the funds will continue to be used to meet the workforce needs of Indiana employers in high wage, high skill, and high-demand occupations. 

Under the JOBS initiative, four main goals will be accomplished for Hoosier workers and participating businesses: 

  1. Recruitment assistance – in addition to Indiana Career Connect and access to the resources of the WorkOne, the JOBS initiative will assist participating employers by partnering to provide job fairs and advertising job openings to place skilled workers in high wage, high demand and high skill jobs; 
  2. Job Profiles – The WorkKeys system will be used to show employers the critical skills needed for workers to be successful on the job;
  3. Skills Assessments – The WorkKeys assessments will ensure that participating employers receive objective, reliable information about each candidate’s workplace skills;
  4. Gap training – offers financial assistance to employers to enhance worker skills or fill the skill gaps necessary for success on the job.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (IDWD) has allocated $550,000 for program year July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 to support workforce recruitment and job placement activities.  Requests for funding will be taken on a first-come first-serve basis until all of the funds have been obligated for the program year.  The maximum amount available to each economic growth region (See attachment 1: IDWD Economic Growth Regions) is $50,000, provided funds are still available at the time of the request.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are regional operators.  Business Consultants and WorkOnes that are working on behalf of participating employers should submit the “Request for Consideration” to the Regional Operator for approval or follow the instructions provided by the Regional Operator.

Objectives and Allowable Costs

Workforce recruitment and job placement activities for participating employers will consist of three objectives:  local job fairs, advertisements, and miscellaneous costs associated with WorkKeys’ assessments. 

  1. Recruitment

    1. Job fairs

      The local job fair must have a connection to the JOBS initiative – businesses that are participating in job profiling and using worker assessments for placement.

      Allowable costs include:

      • Audio/visual set up
      • Equipment rental
      • Participation in a job fair
      • Promotions/Advertisements (See advertisements/marketing below)
      • Signage
      • Space rentals
      • Temporary electrical access
      • Venue set-up/tear down
      • Miscellaneous costs associated with conducting a local job fair
      • Salaries are not covered, but may be included as matching funds


    2. Advertisements/Marketing

      Advertisements are for participating businesses with high-wage, high-skill and high-demand vacancies.  The business must have a job order posted to Indiana Career Connect and an approved application on file for the JOBS initiative.

      All advertisements including audio and video must be forwarded to Ryan Scott, Director of Marketing, for approval prior to publication or airing. A representative from Marketing will respond within 72 hours. Ryan’s contact information is:


      Ryan Scott, Director of Marketing
      Marketing & Communications
      10 North Senate Avenue, Rm SE312
      Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
      Telephone: (317) 232-6699
      Fax: (317) 233-4793
      E-mail: rpscott@dwd.in.gov

      Allowable costs include:

      • Billboards
      • Brochures
      • Outdoor
      • Postage
      • Posters
      • Print ads
      • Printing
      • Radio
      • Television
      • Miscellaneous costs associated with producing advertisements

  2. Skills Assessments

    1. Miscellaneous costs associated with WorkKeys assessments incurred by the WorkOne in the administration of WorKeys’s assessments for:

      • Meeting the needs of employers participating in the JOBS initiative

      Miscellaneous costs include the following:

      • Secure short-term assistance to relieve regular staff for large assessment efforts for employers participating in JOBS
      • Room rental for assessing for large attraction or retention projects where the employer is approved for JOBS
      • Supplies to present WorkKeys assessments
      • Equipment
      • Other assessment expenses not covered by ACT licensing agreement

    How to Apply

    Please complete the “Request for Consideration: JOBS initiative/Reed Act Funds” application (See Attachment 2: Application) and obtain approval of the regional operator. Requests should be forwarded for final approval to:


    Brenda Johnson, Assistant Director
    Market Development
    10 North Senate Avenue
    Indianapolis, IN 46204
    Telephone: (317) 233-4415
    E-mail: Bjohnson@dwd.in.gov
    Fax: (317) 232-1821

    Applicants will be notified by e-mail of the approval or denial within three working days.

    Please direct all inquiries to Brenda Johnson or to Patty Vann at (317) 232-1732, pvann@dwd.in.gov

    Evaluation Criteria

    Each request will be reviewed to determine whether the purpose is aligned with the objectives stated above and whether expenses are for allowable costs. Requests for advertisements and job fairs over $4,000 will be evaluated on the amount of matching funds from the co-sponsors and the types and number of job openings.

    Making Purchases

    Prior to initiating a purchase of equipment or miscellaneous items related to WorkKeys, please contact:


    Martha Finch-Anderson
    Program Manager, WorkKeys
    Indiana Department of Workforce Development
    P.O. Box 430
    620 Niblack Blvd.
    Vincennes, IN 47591
    Office: 812-882-8770 x227
    Email: mfinch-anderson@dwd.in.gov

    Martha will determine the appropriateness of the purchase and guide applicants through the purchase process.

    Invoicing for Payment

    A “Request for Consideration” must be on file and approved before invoices can be paid. In cases where an approval is not on file, the applicant runs the risk of incurring the cost of the event or purchase.

    Payments for items that are purchased using the procurement form (equipment purchases, computer-related purchases) will be handled by the agency’s procurement department. It is imperative that the Regional Operators notify Brenda Johnson (BJohnson@dwd.in.gov) of the final cost.

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