Iowa Workforce Development touts more access points for services

Iowa Workforce Department (IWD) Director Teresa Wahlert said today her agency now has 370 virtual access points and 1,102 workstations statewide where Iowans can access employment and workforce data.

She said more access points are being added each week and she expects the total eventually to reach 500.

Joining Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds at their weekly news conference on Monday, Wahlert said IWD's new approach has dramatically increased access for communities across the state.

Reynolds noted that in communities like Boone, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Iowa Falls, Perry and Washington, the IWD hours of access have increased from less than 20 hours to 64 hours a week and that workforce services are now available in every county for the first time in state history. Earlier this year, she said the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices praised Iowa's efforts as a national model saying, “the new system will offer greater availability to the public through evening and weekend hours-a benefit that is currently not available.”

Wahlert says plans call for continuing to enhance technology based services throughout the new system for the benefit of all clients.

Branstad noted that access points are available at 126 libraries, 46 veteran service locations, 13 community colleges, 28 state government locations, 12 private colleges and various other places throughout the state.

“Iowa Workforce Development has succeeded in developing a delivery system that serves Iowans locally and more efficiently while still providing professional workforce staff connections through the use of technology,” the governor said.

Wahlert said individuals can connect with a workforce professional by dialing 866-239-0843 or by live chat at an access point. The access is available from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Staff members will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday within the regional centers and satellite offices. Also, Saturday usage -- a service that was previously unavailable -- encompasses over 25 percent of the services provided during the extended hours, she said.

Wahlert projected the new approach could save the state up to $6.5 million.

Iowa Workforce Development and its partners provide comprehensive workforce services within the 16 integrated IowaWORKS offices, she said, adding that 24/7 access to employment services, unemployment filings, job postings and more is available at www.iowaworkforce.org.

Iowa labor union leaders and Democratic legislators have blasted Branstad for vetoing legislative initiatives to bar bonus pay for state executives, provide tax relief for working families, and fund work force development offices.

Danny Homan, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 61 -- the largest state employees union – has called Branstad's action "a direct slap in the face to Iowa's working families."

Ken Sagar, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, said closing IWD field offices and replacing them with kiosks has "gutted" the system, especially in rural areas, at a time when tens of thousands of jobless Iowans need better help than a bunch of "outdated computers" in public libraries.

Five Democratic state legislators and Homan brought a lawsuit challenging Branstad's item veto of legislation designed to help keep IWD offices open. A court hearing is slated next week.

At Branstad's request, the Iowa Executive Council has hired outside legal counsel at up to $275 an hour rather than have Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller defend Branstad against a lawsuit. Branstad, a Republican, said he prefers to have Des Moines attorney Richard J. Sapp represent him in the court action. On Monday, the council agreed to pay $12,318 in legal costs to the firm representing Branstad.