Dec. 15, 2005 –The Senate Committee on Labor and Agriculture in Frederiksted Wednesday heard testimony on the operations of the Department of Labor.
Testifiers included Commissioner of Labor Cecil Benjamin and Paul Arnold, chairman, Human Resources Investment Council.
A press release from the Senate Public Affairs office said that Arnold gave an overview of the Workforce Investment Act, which was established in 1998 by Executive Order. He said the Act replaced the Job Training Partnership Act and it mandated the use of the one-stop service to integrate employment and training programs for displaced workers. He added that the one-stop center remains a priority as does getting funds for training.
The release further stated that, according to Arnold, the Workforce Investment Board of the Virgin Islands, operating as the Human Resource Investment Council, is responsible for developing and coordinating workforce policies. He added that the Board functions without a full complement because eight positions are not filled. Arnold said a major problem is a lack of interest from the governor's office and some board members.
Chaired by Sen. Terrence "Positive" Nelson, the committee also heard from managers and directors of the Department of Labor such as: Dave Barber, supervisor, Surveys and Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics; June Austin, law judge; Rupert Ross, director of Information Technology, Mary Lang, Occupational Safety and Health; Wanda Morris, director Workman’s Compensation; Glynn Smith, assistance commissioner; Roy Davis, director Planning, Research and Monitoring, Evyon Pryce, director, Administration; Eleuteria Roberts, assistance commissioner; and Velez Jaime, director Unemployment Insurance.
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