1. (1) Job service resources must be used to assist with the reemployment of unemployed workers using the most efficient and effective means of service delivery. The job service program of the employment security department may undertake any program or activity for which funds are available and which furthers the goals of this chapter. These programs and activities must include, but are not limited to:

   1. (a) Giving older unemployed workers and the long-term unemployed the highest priority for all services made available under this section. The employment security department must make the services provided under this chapter available to the older unemployed workers and the long-term unemployed as soon as they register under the employment assistance program;
   2. (b) Supplementing basic employment services, with special job search and claimant placement assistance designed to assist unemployment insurance claimants to obtain employment;
   3. (c) Providing employment services, such as recruitment, screening, and referral of qualified workers, to agricultural areas where these services have in the past contributed to positive economic conditions for the agricultural industry; and
   4. (d) Providing otherwise unobtainable information and analysis to the legislature and program managers about issues related to employment and unemployment.

2. (2) Individuals who are eligible for services under the federal workforce innovation and opportunity act, P.L. 113-128 or its successor, must be provided the opportunity to enroll in self-employment assistance or entrepreneurial training programs to prepare them for self-employment on the same basis as they are provided the opportunity to enroll in other training programs funded under the federal workforce innovation and opportunity act. The department must work with local workforce development councils to ensure that the contracting process with training providers is efficient and that the number of entrepreneurial training providers on the state's eligible training provider list is sufficient to meet demand. Each local workforce development council must:

   1. (a) Notify all individuals eligible for services under the workforce innovation and opportunity act of the availability of self-employment assistance and entrepreneurial training; and
   2. (b) Establish and implement a plan for expending workforce innovation and opportunity act funds on self-employment assistance and entrepreneurial training at a rate that is commensurate with either the demand for such services or the rate of self-employment within the council's workforce development area.

[ 2017 c 39 s 10; 2012 c 40 s 4; 1995 c 135 s 4. Prior: 1987 c 284 s 3; 1987 c 171 s 2; 1985 ex.s. c 5 s 3.]

Notes:

Intent—1995 c 135: See note following RCW 29A.08.760.

Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1987 c 171: See notes following RCW 50.62.010.

Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1985 ex.s. c 5: See notes following RCW 50.62.010.