Job Training Partnership Act: Racial and Gender Disparities in Services
HRD-91-148
Published: Sep 20, 1991. Publicly Released: Oct 25, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the extent and possible causes of disparities in the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) program, focusing on: (1) the extent to which disparities occur in the services provided to women and minorities; (2) factors within local project operations that contribute to such disparities; and (3) efforts by states and the Department of Labor (DOL) to monitor the services provided to various demographic groups.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| To provide clear authority and to ensure that DOL exercises that authority, Congress should amend JPTA to require that participants be independently assessed and receive career counseling before they are referred to providers for specific services. |
Closed – Implemented
|
Amendments to JTPA (P.L. 102-387), enacted in 1992, adopted this recommendation. |
| To provide clear authority and to ensure that DOL exercises that authority, Congress should amend JTPA to require DOL to encourage SDA to use incentives for contractors to provide training that involves higher costs and risks, such as training for women in nontraditional jobs. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Amendments to JTPA (P.L. 102-387), enacted in 1992, did not adopt this recommendation, and it is unlikely that Congress will take further action on this recommendation in the foreseeable future. |
| To provide clear authority and to ensure that DOL exercises that authority, Congress should amend JTPA to require that adequate data be collected by DOL to enable it to identify service disparities. |
Closed – Implemented
|
The Department of Labor has issued regulations that will require the collection of data on individual participants that will provide a basis for identifying service disparities. |
| To provide clear authority and to ensure DOL exercises that authority, Congress should amend JTPA to require that DOL promptly investigate disparities that might represent violations of civil rights, make violation or nonviolation findings promptly, and take immediate steps to enforce appropriate civil rights laws when violations are found. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Amendments to JTPA (P.L. 102-387), enacted in 1992, did not adopt this recommendation, and it is unlikely that Congress will take further action on the recommendation in the foreseeable future. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Labor | DOL should ensure that states, SDA, and JTPA contractors understand that it is a violation of federal law for federal funds to be used in a discriminatory manner. |
Closed – Implemented
Labor implemented JTPA-specific regulations on January 15, 1993, that provide clarification, codification, and consolidation of responsibilities and procedures applicable to the enforcement of the non-discrimination and equal opportunities provisions of JTPA.
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Topics
Adult educationCivil rightsDisadvantaged personsEmployment discriminationEmployment assistance programsFair employment programsMinoritiesMonitoringVocational educationWomen's rights