What's New in Workforce Investment?

The U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Small Business Administration have jointly announced a new website to support state workforce and unemployment agencies in implementing or enhancing Self-Employment Assistance programs. Today's announcement expands on guidance issued in May, which included $35 million in funding for states to implement or expand these programs made possible through the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.

A key component of the new website is the SBA toolkit, which contains several free, online resources available through the SBA to support new entrepreneurs. Helping budding entrepreneurs gain access to SBA's partners and its many resources is key to operating a successful Self-Employment Assistance program. Through the site, the SBA continues to offer free online business courses on topics such as How to Prepare a Business Plan, Franchising Basics, Government Contracting, Green Business Opportunities and more. Entrepreneurship and Business Planning, Entrepreneurial Marketing and Finding Money to Start a Business are some of the other courses available through this new website. The site also highlights successful practices from states currently operating Self-Employment Assistance programs to assist new states as they implement or enhance their programs.

The new Self-Employment Assistance website can be found at https://sea.workforce3one.org.

Information on implementing or enhancing an Self-Employment Assistance program and the available grants can be found at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/UIPL/UIPL_20_12.pdf

Training and Employment Notice 15 -12 provides additional information on the website and tookit.

Copy of the Letter to Governors from Hilda L. Solis, Secretary of Labor, and Karen G. Mills, Administrator, Small Business Administration.