River Parishes Workforce Development Board

Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) are regional entities created to implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Every community in the fifty states, is associated with a Local WDB (LWIB). For each LWIB, a chief elected official appoints members to sit on the WDB. These appointed positions are unpaid. At least 50% of a WDB’s membership must come from private businesses. There are also designated seats for representatives from labor unions and educational institutions like community colleges as well. Beyond these basic guidelines, many aspects of how an individual WDB operates can vary.

The WDB’s main role is to direct federal, state and local funding to workforce development programs. WDB’s conduct and publish research on these programs and the needs of their regional economy. They also oversee the One-Stop Career Centers, where job seekers can get employment information, find out about career development training opportunities and connect to various programs in their area. One-Stop Career Centers also provide many no-cost services to employers as well. Services vary by state and WDB.

The River Parishes Workforce Development Board works in conjunction with economic development related organizations in order to maximize the reaction time and create resources to intervene for the dislocated, adult, and youth workforce members of the River Parishes.