GAO's Work Relating to the Job Training Partnership Act

GAO testified on the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), which superseded the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), focusing on: (1) the program for disadvantaged youth and adults; (2) participant support limitations and the participants being served; and (3) the dislocated workers program. GAO noted that the largest differences between JTPA and CETA participants were in their educational status and the percentages of youths and unemployed persons. During the transition period, the most commonly provided services were transportation, child care, handicapped services, and health care services. Over 80 percent of these services were funded in cash payments, and several areas reported receiving additional funds from other areas such as state social services and public welfare, city and county governments, and private industry. GAO found that limitations of JTPA participant support assistance have resulted in participants who were less economically disadvantaged and more highly motivated, but they are also participating in fewer and shorter training programs. GAO also found that, because states have a wide latitude in implementing the dislocated workers program, little information was available on how the program was working. Current administration budget proposals which would significantly reduce funding for this program were justified because there were sufficient unused carryover funds available from previous years; however, 92 percent of these program funds were already obligated in the states that were reviewed.