Piedmont Workforce Network

About the Workforce Investment Act

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) goes further than the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) that it replaces. The WIA is state and locally driven, will provide a One Stop service delivery system, and depends on strong involvement by local elected officials and the private sector. The system to be developed under the WIA provides the opportunity for business and industry to link more closely with job access and training programs and provide leadership for the development of a workforce that meets the needs of localities as defined in their economic development plans. Implementation of the WIA began July 1, 2000.

The Local Geographic Area

Our Local Workforce Investment Area includes all of Planning Districts 9 (Counties of Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock) and 10 (City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson). The Governor has approved this area as Local Workforce Investment Area VI (LWIA VI), Piedmont Workforce Network.

Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB)

The LWIB has the central role of providing leadership and direction on local strategic workforce issues, identifying local needs and developing strategies to address those needs. LWIBs must be made up of a majority of private sector representatives. The Piedmont Workforce Network Board has 50 members, 27 of whom are business representatives. Other members include representatives of education, economic development, labor, Community Based Organizations, and One Stop required partners.

Click to see the Bylaws for the LWIB.

Chief Local Elected Officials (CLEOs)

Under the WIA, the role of the Chief Local Elected Officials (CLEOs) is more prominent to ensure that there is vision, leadership and accountability for the system that is reflective of and responsive to the local area. New opportunities now exist for the CLEOs to take an active role in establishing and overseeing this new system and working as active partners with the local workforce boards, while also having a more visible role with the Commonwealth through the Virginia Workforce Council and the Governor.

Click to see a list of the Piedmont Workforce Council.