Since 1935, the government has been passing acts that areintended to put unemployed members of society back into the laborforce. The first of these acts was highly successful, employingsome three million people in the first year of its existence andmore than eight million by the time it was terminated in 1943. Thisprogram, the WPA, built hundreds of thousands of miles of highwaysystems and roads, worked on or constructed 124,000+ bridges,125,000+ public buildings, 8,000+ parks and 853 airport landingfields.

Since the ending of this program, other programs and acts havebeen instated and terminated, including the ComprehensiveEmployment and Training Act (CETA) that was in service from 1973-83and was nationally funded and the Job Training Partnership Act(1982) that established job-training services for adults, youth andother people who were economically disadvantaged.

One of the most recent programs is the Workforce Investment Act,which was started in 1998. This program was designed to create aone-stop shop, so to speak, where people can find information aboutraining, education a d employment. The WIA is an incredibly helpfulprogram for more than just the one searching for work. The programprovides: guidance and advice to those who are looking for work andmeet the requirements; resources, mentoring, and assistance witheducational goals for youth who meet the requirements; assistancewith laid-off workings and a better trained pool of potentialemployees for companies and employers and, finally, a reduced needfor welfare and services to meet local needs within thecommunity.

Students should be aware of these, and other, programs similarin design. It is our responsibility, as well-educated members ofsociety, to be willing and able to help our community in any way wecan. As potential business owners, teachers, journalists, lawyers,doctors and so on, we need to know what it is we can offer toothers. With the programs such as these we can offer training,education, mentoring, and other assistance.

Sincerely,

Simpson College Juinor

Member of Econ 223