Governor Bob Riley recently named Calhoun Community College employee, Denny Smith, to the state Workforce Investment Board.  Smith works in the Business and Industry division at Calhoun where he is the ACT Assessment Center director.

The Workforce Investment Board serves as the primary oversight and strategic planning body for the state under the Federal Workforce Investment act of 1998.  The purpose of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is to enable localitites to develop and operate a training system to serve youth and adults, in order to increase the employment, retention, and earnings capabilities of participants. 

The WIA was built around five principles:

1. To create of a One-Stop environment for all job seekers.
2. To empower job seekers to chose their individual training services
3. To provide universal access to the workforce development system.
4. To strengthen accountability through strict performance measures.
5. To ensure a strong leadership role for business though business-led boards to place and oversee the local system.

“It is vital to our state’s economy that we have well trained and highly skilled workers to meet the needs of new and expanding businesses.  We must be ready to assist Alabama industries as they compete in today’s global economy.  Denny Smith is a great addition to the Alabama Workforce Investment Board, and I thank him for his willingness to serve the citizens of this state.  He will play an important role in our efforts to equip today’s workers for tomorrow’s challenges,” Gov. Bob Riley said.