n 2003, the U.S. Labor Department asked members of the business community and
others with a stake in America’s Job Bank for their opinions about the free public
job site.
The department did not heed their advice. Thanks to a decision announced last year by the Labor
Department, America's Job Bank closed at the beginning of this month.
But participants at three feedback sessions sponsored by the
Labor Department in 2003 gave America’s Job Bank a solid endorsement, according
to a report summarizing the seminars. The four-hour forums focused on the set of
government services known as the CareerOneStop E-Tools, which include America’s
Job Bank and a career information resource called America’s Career InfoNet. America's Career InfoNet continues to operate.
"Participants of all three forums said that the E-Tools are
extremely comprehensive, reliable, and informative," the report said. The report,
titled "Executive Summary: CareerOneStop Electronic Tools Mini-Forums July 2003,"
added: "Participants of all three forums said that while they appreciate the value
of AJB, they would continue to use other job boards in addition to AJB because they
like having choices. They noted that this does not detract from the value of AJB
because the need for AJB is valid and it can enhance the workforce system by contributing
more resources and information."
Workforce Management received the document from David Morman,
a former Labor Department official who managed America’s Job Bank. A Department
of Labor spokeswoman denied that the department created the document. Technically,
Morman says, it was created by a contracting firm, LRG, and that fact is noted at
the bottom of each page: "For internal use only. Prepared by LRG, Inc. for Office
of Workforce Investment, U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration.
8/22/03."
The three forums took place in July 2003, with a total of
about 50 participants. The first forum was devoted to "workforce development professionals,"
including the chief information officer of the South Carolina Employment Security
Commission. The second seminar focused on educators and members of workforce development
and economic development systems. Its participants included community college officials
and an official with the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The last forum
was attended by members of the business community, including representatives from
chambers of commerce.
The report noted room for improvement at America’s Job Bank,
including the concern that "many local jobs are not included in the information
uploaded by the states to AJB."
But the report indicated that, if anything, participants called
for investing more in America’s Job Bank and the other E-Tools, especially through
more marketing: "Some of the employer participants have used AJB but said that most
employers are not even aware of this suite of E-Tools." In addition, they said that
for DOL/ETA to invest in the development and operation of the services and then
not market the services was "fiscally irresponsible."
According to the report, participants at the forum devoted
to the business community had an opportunity to call for the elimination of America’s
Job Bank or other E-Tools. "Overall," the report stated, "the participants agreed
that everything in the suite should be maintained."
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