Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Alaska
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The noted purpose of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) is to "provide safe and legal working conditions and advance opportunities for employment." The DOLWD manages the state's unemployment services, as well as worker's compensation.
Budget
A link is provided on the DOLWD website to the State of Alaska official proposed department budget for fiscal year 2012.[1]
Proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Budget - All Funds
| Program | FY2010 Actuals | FY2011 Authorized | FY2012 Governor’s Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Commissioner | $2,091.30 | $1,590.70 | $1,729,40 |
| Administrative Services | $18,162.20 | $20,436.70 | $20.085.90 |
| Workers' Compensation | $10,191.70 | 11,748.30 | 11,943.70 |
| Labor Standards and Safety | $9,578.10 | $10,882.70 | $11,260.40 |
| Employment Security | $57,622.50 | $62,912.90 | $63,195.20 |
| Business Partnerships | $38,947.90 | $51,755.00 | $47,639.10 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation | $23,012.00 | $26,536.80 | $25,652.50 |
| Alaska Vocational Technical Center | $12,226.10 | $12,868.30 | $15,103.70 |
| Department Totals | $171,831.80 | $198,731.40 | $196,609.90 |
Programs
Department services include filing unemployment insurance and benefits claims[2] and worker's compensation and appeals.
Unemployment figures for 1999-2009, including unemployment insurance claims, are as follows:[3]
| Year | Total Labor Force1 | Total Unemployment1 | Total Unemployment Rate (TUR) Percent1 | Covered Employment | Insured Unemployment | Insured Unemployment Rate (IUR) Percent | Percent Ratio IUR to TUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 270,040 | 19,014 | 7.0 | 214,644 | 11,170 | 5.2 | 73.9 |
| 1991 | 278,799 | 23,000 | 8.2 | 218,367 | 13,237 | 6.1 | 73.5 |
| 1992 | 288,777 | 25,797 | 8.9 | 221,795 | 13,880 | 6.3 | 70.1 |
| 1993 | 293,758 | 22,500 | 7.7 | 226,475 | 12,213 | 5.4 | 70.4 |
| 1994 | 300,742 | 22,544 | 7.5 | 223,455 | 13,554 | 6.1 | 80.9 |
| 1995 | 303,666 | 21,568 | 7.1 | 237,816 | 12,885 | 5.4 | 76.3 |
| 1996 | 308,573 | 23,021 | 7.5 | 239,746 | 13,120 | 5.5 | 73.4 |
| 1997 | 311,961 | 21,998 | 7.1 | 244,255 | 12,095 | 5.0 | 70.2 |
| 1998 | 313,079 | 19,140 | 6.1 | 250,251 | 12,140 | 4.9 | 80.3 |
| 1999 | 316,507 | 19,488 | 6.2 | 252,228 | 12,866 | 5.1 | 82.3 |
| 2000 | 319,002 | 19,678 | 6.2 | 258,428 | 12,290 | 4.8 | 77.4 |
| 2001 | 321,484 | 19,790 | 6.2 | 265,945 | 12,224 | 4.6 | 74.2 |
| 2002 | 328,385 | 23,273 | 7.1 | 271,349 | 13,980 | 5.2 | 73.2 |
| 2003 | 336,549 | 25,787 | 7.7 | 274,755 | 14,259 | 5.2 | 67.5 |
| 2004 | 339,859 | 25,106 | 7.4 | 279,161 | 13,471 | 4.8 | 64.9 |
| 2005 | 344,305 | 23,715 | 6.9 | 285,455 | 12,443 | 4.4 | 63.8 |
| 2006 | 350,936 | 22,950 | 6.5 | 290,310 | 11,649 | 4.0 | 61.5 |
| 2007 | 352,291 | 21,416 | 6.1 | 294,016 | 10,503 | 3.6 | 59.0 |
| 2008 | 357,458 | 23,059 | 6.5 | 297,925 | 10,995 | 3.7 | 56.9 |
| 2009 | 360,877 | 28,751 | 8.0 | 296,720 | 14,277 | 4.8 | 60.0 |
The department administers the Alaska Job Center Network, which provides job training information and job seeker resources[4], including job fairs and recruitment opportunities.[5] The DOLWD also runs ALEXsys, Alaska's Job Bank.
The Research and Analysis Division provides data and statistics regarding employment and unemployment rates, wages, population, housing, and economic trends.[6]
DOLWD runs a variety of Veterans Services for veterans and eligible spouses funded by the U. S. Department of Labor, including priority job referral services, career counseling, career assessments, and educational services.[7]
The department also runs Youth Services programs, such as the Alaska Performance Scholarship for in-state colleges or training programs; career guides, the Alaska Career Ready program; job fairs for students; and Referrals to Education or Training Services.[8]
Leadership
The Commissioner of the DOLWD is Click Bishop. Commissioner Bishop is responsible for the overall management of the department.[9]
Transparency
Contact information including phone, fax, and email is provided for the Commissioner, but further information about executive staff does not seem to be available.[9] Administrators and their contact information are listed with each division within the department. A link is also provided to the searchable State Employee Directory.[10]
A link is posted on the Department homepage to the State's online checkbook.
A public records request for is available for workers compensation records, but general information regarding the freedom of information law or requesting general department records does not seem to be posted.[11]
Procurement information and active Department contracts do not seem to be available.
Annual reports are posted for certain divisions within the department, such as the Labor Relations Agency and Workers Compensation Division.[12][13]
Unemployment
Per data released by the DOLWD, unemployment rates for Juneau and the state fell in April. Juneau's unemployment dropped from 5.8 percent to 5.3 percent, the second lowest in the state, and the state rate fell from 8.8 percent in March to 7.7 percent in April.[14]
External links
References
- ↑ Department of Labor and Workforce Development Fiscal Year 2012 Proposed Budget
- ↑ Unemployment Insurance
- ↑ Unemployment Insurance Actuarial Study and Financial Handbook 2009
- ↑ Alaska Job Center Network
- ↑ Job Fairs
- ↑ Research and Analysis
- ↑ Veterans Services
- ↑ Youth Services
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Commissioner
- ↑ Directory
- ↑ WC Forms
- ↑ Labor Relations Agency Forms
- ↑ Workers Compensation Annual Reports
- ↑ Alaska widens lead on unemployment rate, May 21, 2011
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