The Workforce Professional Development Program (WPDP)

WHAT IS IAWP? The International Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP) is a worldwide educational association providing its members with training and learning opportunities to help them better serve their customers. IAWP offers educational scholarships, a professional development program, and the Certified Workforce Specialist (CWS) certification program. Our theme this year is Collaborating for Innovative Solutions in the 21st Century.

WPDP: What is it? A series of study guides and tests to increase your knowledge about the workforce development system. Modules: History of Workforce Development (Units 1-4) Unemployment Insurance (Units 1-4) Labor Market Information (Units 1-4) Business and Jobseeker (Units 1-4)

Why do it? Job excellence in the 21st century requires enhanced professional development and “big picture awareness.” This program provides you with that awareness. The WPDP classifies your knowledge level and may be used as a substitute for experience or education. It has become a respected and recognized measurement of core program knowledge. Use WPDP for: Staff orientation Cross-training Staff development

Who does it? There are 40 current active participants. 203 WPDP Masters (have passed all four areas). Masters come from 36 different states. There are currently 22 Certified Workforce Specialists (CWS) from 13 different states. (August 1, 2015)

Program Development Initial developmental of the Professional Development Program began in 1986 with a task force of nine individuals representing: IAPES (now known as IAWP) Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies (now known as the National Association of State Workforce Agencies) Southern Test Development Field Center of Raleigh, NC, and Schroeder Consultants of Des Moines, IA.

Program Development (con’t.) Other milestones: Job Training specialist module developed, a joint initiative of IAPES and the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) – Revision and redesign with assistance from SC Employment Security Commission’s Labor Market Information Division, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Unemployment Insurance Service Created an Enhancement Council to oversee future research and redevelopment under the association's newly established IAPES Foundation. Council membership consisted of six members with career experience in workforce development programs, unemployment insurance, and labor market information – Revisions and updates, available in Microsoft Word 2005 – Revisions and updates 2010 – Revisions and updates Revisions and updates; broke into four sections for each study guide topic; moved to electronic-only study guides and online testing 2014 – Ongoing revisions and updates to reflect new legislation

NOW, LET’S LOOK AT CONTENT…

HISTORY OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT The Workforce Development System: European and US Origins The Great Depression and New Deal Programs of the 1930s Mobilizing America at War - The 1940s The 1950s – Adjusting to Peacetime Realities Embracing the Great Society — the 1960s The 1970s - Finding a More Comprehensive Approach to Job Training Fine-Tuning in the 1980s Reinvention — A New Way for the 1990s The Workforce of the 21 st Century – 2000 and Beyond

BUSINESS & JOBSEEKER SPECIALIST Connecting Businesses and Job Seekers with Workforce Development Customers and Job Seekers Serving the Business Community Tools and Techniques

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SPECIALIST Unemployment Insurance – An Overview Taxation Benefits The Claims Process Monitoring the UI Program

LABOR MARKET INFORMATION SPECIALIST Connecting Workforce Development with Labor Market Information Labor Market Information Overview LMI Concepts and Measures BLS Programs Occupational Projections Process Non-BLS Programs

TESTING PROCESS

Tests 25 multiple-choice questions 75% correct answers to pass (19 out of 25) Tests are online and available anywhere an Internet connection is available

Timeframes 36 months to complete each module Once you complete all the WPDP units you will receive a WPDP Master designation and are qualified to apply for certification as an IAWP Certified Workforce Specialist (CWS). Costs $10 for each unit (includes study guide and exam)

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Professional Certification “The growth of certification programs is also a reaction to the changing employment market. Certifications are portable, since they do not depend on one company's definition of a certain job. Certification stands about the resume and the professional reference by being an impartial, third-party endorsement of an individual's professional knowledge and experience.” Phillip Barnhart, author of The Guide to National Professional Certification Programs

Why? For employers: Providing knowledgeable specialized workforce professionals Establishing a minimum standard of knowledge and skill for the personnel Increasing employer’s confidence and peace-of-mind in its workforce Helping maintain a high level of performance For individuals: Improves promotion possibilities Shows initiative Possible salary increase Improved performance and confidence

LINKS IAWP Website: Summary of WPDP & CWS: gevault/f pdf Detailed info on WPDP & CWS: p.html

CONTACTS Education Chair Jean Berry (CA) WPDP Coordinator Theresa Austin (GA) CWS Coordinator Richard Eskridge (GA)

President James Thomas