Multiple Employment Programs: National Employment Training Strategy Needed

GAO discussed the federal employment training programs and the need for a national employment training strategy. GAO noted that: (1) the fragmented system of federal programs creates problems that hamper attempts to help workers obtain training and employment; (2) duplication of services can add unnecessary costs to program operations and increase the burden to clients and employers; (3) a lack of information leads to confusion about how to access services; (4) multiple administrative entities and funding sources lead to additional administrative costs; (5) the lack of an integrated client tracking system makes it nearly impossible to relate client services to program outcomes; (6) several states have taken initiatives to reorganize their service delivery system to better coordinate services at the local level; (7) coordination efforts are hampered by differences in program requirements; and (8) some state and local program staff are reluctant to share information with programs competing for funding.