LAND OF LINCOLN WORKFORCE INNOVATION BOARD (WIB)

The local Workforce Board for the Land of Lincoln serves the counties of Cass, Christian, Logan, Menard, and Sangamon. The five-county workforce area is governed by a volunteer board responsible for overseeing workforce development initiatives in partnership with local elected officials. WIB membership includes representatives from business and industry, education, community-based organizations, economic development agencies, public vocational rehabilitation and labor organizations. Membership on the Board requires that individuals have optimum policy-making authority in their organization.

The role of the WIB is to ensure that the local workforce system is market-driven and responsive in meeting the employment and training needs of employers and job seekers.

• Serve as a point of contact for business, industry and the public sector to communicate workforce needs
• Provide a forum where private and public sector leaders jointly consider workforce investment needs of the region
• Promote strategies to encourage lifelong learning and improve workplace skills
• Assist in the development of new training programs to benefit the region’s workforce
• Offer advice regarding workforce policy and programs
• Coordinate with economic development efforts and activities to promote the region’s availability of qualified workers
• Promote cooperation and coordination among public organizations, education agencies, private businesses and other interested organizations
• Review and approve local workforce plans for workforce programs to ensure coordination of services and achievement of goals