How do I get more information?
For more information contact Marc Lowe, AJLA-TS Director, of the America's Job Link Alliance at:
Marc Lowe
AJLA-TS Director
America's Job Link Alliance
1309 SW Topeka Boulevard
Topeka, KS 66612
Toll-Free: (800) 255-2458
How do I join the Alliance?
By subscribing to an Alliance product a state automatically becomes an AJLA member. States desiring not to participate as an AJLA member may opt-out.
Is there a fee to join the Alliance? Will there be a fee in the future?
The only fees states pay are based on which products they subscribe to. Alliance membership is free and open to all AJLA subscribing states.
What new or future enhancements are planned (i.e. U.I., WOTC, etc.)? How will priorities be set? How will expenses be shared?
The members of America's Job Link Alliance have made and are discussing possible future enhancements/applications to their systems.
Recent Enhancements:
O*NET
O*NET is a powerful tool that allows skill-based job matchingthat state workforce agencies can have it implemented into their systems.
UI Features
Members of the America's Job Link Alliance believed that the UI system and the labor exchange system needed to be more fully integrated. With that in mind, Kansas recently implemented:
Claimant Resources
- Initial Claims (Allowing UI claimants to file initial claims over the Internet)
- Continued Claims (Allowing UI claimants to file continued claims over the Internet)
- Linkage to Job Listings (Provide claimants with links to specific job opportunities for which they qualify)
Employer Resources
- Tax Functions (Employers are able to go on-line to conduct their tax functions)
Enhancement Opportunities being Researched:
Reporting
America's Job Link Alliance members want to enhance the reporting function of their systems to allow for local reports that are not required by law but that are helpful to manage one-stop career centers. They also believe it is critical to have reports on providers in order to adequately mange One-Stops service delivery systems and develop continuous improvement programs.
Fiscal Management
America's Job Link Alliance members are working together to develop a full service WIA, Welfare to Work and TAA fiscal management module that will roll up local area budgets, obligations, and expenditures into a state level management system.
WOTC
America's Job Link Alliance members believe that it is cumbersome and difficult for employers to file for tax credits such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. An on-line application process is needed to streamline the process.
Alliance members in consultation with the U.S. Department of Labor will set enhancement priorities.
If I don't want to participate in the development of a certain feature, do I have to share in the expense?
The Alliance members will set development priorities. Applications considered that lack adequate Alliance support would be developed by individual or groups of Alliance members outside the Alliance framework.
In some cases, some states may develop one application and exchange the completed program for another application developed by another state or states.
How does the Department of Labor and NASWA view the Alliance?
Both organizations view the America's Job Link Alliance as one of the viable options states may select for a WIA compliant operating system. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor has invested more than $2.5 million dollars in the Alliance to further its development efforts.
What states are considering joining?
Currently 27 states use Alliance products with additional states expressing interest in the AJLA suite of products.
How will you resolve member conflicts? Who will lead the Alliance?
A Board of Directors govern the America's Job Link Alliance and resolve conflicts according to their by-laws.
If we have NASWA, why is there a need for the Alliance?
The Alliance has been created to help each member maximize the return on its investments in a specific set of information systems and to achieve the highest level of success in the workforce development strategies and business practices that surround the design, implementation, operation, management and improvement of a specific set of systems. The National Association of State Workforce Agencies is far broader than that and has a whole array of value added member services that the Alliance does not and will not offer.
How much did Kansas invest in kansasjoblink.com?
The Kansas Department of Human Resources invested $2.5 million dollars in kansasjoblink.com. That included an $800,000 feasibility study to evaluate all of the workforce development options that were available to them.
Is kansasjoblink.com ADA compliant?
Yes.
What is AJLA-TS?
AJLA Technical Support (AJLA-TS) is a national information systems support center providing data processing systems, training services and products for state and national workforce development operations. It is charged with providing technical support and administrative assistance to all customers. Under the merger of the America's Job Link Alliance and America's Workforce Technology Solutions (AWTS), AJLA-TS continues offering all AWTS products and services according to the approved FY 2003 Work Plan.
AJLA-TS will be overseen by an expanded AJLA Board of Directors, and guided on technical and programmatic issues by an expanded AJLA Steering Committee. States will continue purchasing services/products through the traditional NASWA/state contract or through NASWA enhanced services.
