NC H1004

Expresses the General Assembly's opinion that local Workforce Investment Act (WIA) services should be streamlined by realigning local workforce development areas with councils of governments (COGs) boundaries established under G.S. 160A-470.

Notes that the Program Evaluation Division found North Carolina's 23 local workforce development areas are based on criteria from federal employment programs nearly 40 years old and are not strategically aligned with economic development activities.

Identifies that realigning workforce development areas with COG regions would reduce the number of local areas from 23 to 16 by disbanding nine areas, including six single-county areas, and increase county range per area from three to 12 counties.

Recognizes that larger workforce development areas would receive increased funding, allowing more programs and resources for job seekers, while COGs already have administrative infrastructure managing other state and federal programs.

Endorses recommendations made by the Program Evaluation Division and the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee to improve workforce development system integration and accountability.