For Release 8 a.m. CST, August 21, 2002


More information about America's Job Link Alliance:
Marc Lowe, (785) 296-5056, mlowe@awts.org
http://www.kansasjoblink.com/

Oklahoma Job Link Unveiled

Involvement with America's Job Link Alliance Saves Time and Money

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) has unveiled the Oklahoma Job Link web site (www.oklahomajoblink.com). This new web site allows job seekers the opportunity to search for jobs, post their resume and apply for jobs online. For employers, Job Link provides online job posting and job tracking services designed to help employers find the talent they need to run their business. The new web site also helps OESC staff manage and monitor caseloads, assess employment barriers, establish training and employment plans, search for service providers and WIA certified training providers and programs, and track job placements. OESC Staff, in turn, use this information to generate required federal reports.

Oklahoma Job Link utilizes the America's Job Link Alliance's system design, including job matching and resume management as well as a WIA-compliant case management application known as Service Link. Oklahoma Job Link, reflecting the flexibility of the America's Job Link Alliance approach, was modified to meet specific business requirements in Oklahoma as well as to integrate Job Link and Service Link with the state's staff assisted service interface system.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission says that participation in the Alliance has saved Oklahoma taxpayers an estimated $1.9 million in development costs as well as $400,000 in maintenance costs. By collaborating in the Alliance, Oklahoma was able to design, develop, and implement a job seeker and employer self-service tool utilizing O*NET. Because of Oklahoma's participation in the America's Job Link Alliance, the state was able to leverage the analysis, functionality, and design of the self-service module for employers and job seekers, which was already developed and tested by other Alliance members.

"Our involvement in the Alliance not only saved us time and money, but it provided us with a product that could be easily adapted to our needs," said OESC Executive Director Jon Brock.

America's Job Link Alliance

The America's Job Link Alliance (Alliance) is an innovative approach to building technology solutions helping Alliance members to maximize the return on their investments. The concept behind the Alliance was to create a framework to allow states to accept, modify and implement technology solutions built and tested by others. In return, states agree with other members to share modules, programs, and enhancements to the system, which they have developed. This arrangement reduces the development risk and cost for all members. In addition to providing technological solutions, Alliance members share marketing ideas, lessons learned, and training materials which have improved business practices and foster innovation.

The Alliance is an innovative approach to systems building that is redefining how states resolve their systems building needs and helping them reach the highest level of success in workforce development strategies and business practices.

Current members of the Alliance include the Idaho Department of Labor, the Kansas Department of Human Resources, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Nebraska Workforce Development - Department of Labor, the New Mexico Department of Labor, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, and the Vermont Department of Employment and Training.

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