On July 1, 2015 a new era in Workforce Development began for the Buffalo and Erie County area. On that day, new legislation under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 went into effect. Changes in labor market demand and the absence of a qualified labor pool mandated new approaches to education, skills training, and service delivery. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) replaces WIA and will be in effect for the next five years (2015-2020).
Under WIOA, the local workforce system will continue to be overseen by a private sector-driven board appointed by Erie County Executive, Mark C. Poloncarz and City of Buffalo Mayor, Byron W. Brown. The Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) is charged with developing, coordinating, and overseeing publicly funded workforce development/training initiatives. The WDC serves as the Fiscal Agent of the WIB, and partners with NYSDOL to serve as the One Stop System Administrator
Our Mission
To provide leadership in promoting the economic vitality of our region, by supporting job growth and ensuring that those that are unemployed, under-employed and dislocated have the education, skills and workforce preparation to meet employer’s needs.
Our Vision
Create a demand driven workforce investment system that is responsive to regional economic development goals, by addressing the needs of job seekers and businesses and aligning the work of system partners toward common goals and outcomes.
The “heart” of our workforce system continues to be our One Stop Career Centers. These Centers offer a multitude of resources for job seekers and businesses under one roof. The typical One Stop Career Center serves thousands of individuals who are seeking employment, changing jobs, reentering the workforce, or learning new skills. The One Stop Career Centers are an ideal source for workforce solutions for many local employers. WIOA also enhanced the current workforce system by mandating greater alignment with regional partners to deliver more comprehensive services to workers, job seekers, and employers. We strive for a more job-driven approach to training and skills development by building closer relationships with key workforce partners, business leaders, labor unions, educational institutions, and non-profits.
The One Stop System includes:
Comprehensive Career Service Center:
Affiliate Career Service Centers:
How We Are Funded
Additional grants are actively pursued at the local, State and Federal level to support our local workforce system.
WIB By-Laws
