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March 31, 2006

Work Readiness and Employment Plans Merger Implemented | Changes to SKIES Job Seeker Services Anticipated
Go2WorkSource.com Version 7 Training wraps up | Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) Database in SKIES Project update

Work Readiness and Employment Plans Merger Implemented
“The Work Readiness and Employment Plans merger moved into production on March 22, 2006” states Jennifer Jaske, SKIES business analyst. “Let us introduce you to the Service(s) Plan” continues Jaske. SKIES Version 3 enhancement #123 requests the combining of the Work Readiness and Employment Plans, whereas #119 merges the Goals and Objectives tabs into the Services tab. “We had moved the Service(s) Plan into the SKIES training environment to give trainers the opportunity to see what to expect once implemented; we tried this approach with these enhancements at the specific request from a few local SKIES trainers.” states Kris Moritz, SKIES State Training Coordinator. Local SKIES trainers were provided the opportunity to take a peak at the new plan prior to implementation to provide technical support to local users.

Changes to SKIES Job Seeker Services Anticipated
Changes to SKIES Job Seeker Services will be moved into production and training environments the first weekend in April. As you know, WorkSource Operations Division partnered with the Workforce Development Council to co-chair a statewide job seeker services and definition workgroup. This partnership collaborated with the Workforce Development Councils; the E&T Division, WIA administration staff; SKIES administration staff; WorkSource administration staff, to include Wagner Peyser and WorkFirst; and service delivery staff representation from all twelve service delivery areas.

The workgroup’s task was to first, identify any duplicative SKIES statewide job seeker services in the core, intensive, and training categories then recommend deactivation of those from services selection. Second, they were to define all selectable statewide job seeker services in the SKIES core, intensive, and training categories.

Go2WorkSource.com Version 7 Training wraps up
“SKIES State Trainer, Sarah Wilson and WorkSource Operations Division’s, Peni Cenedella will be wrapping up Go2WorkSourc.com Version 7 training on Job Seeker & Employer enhancements and Referral Queue” states Ron Byington, Business Systems & Performance. “Trainers have received a warm welcome at all facilities and have been provided with valuable feedback regarding the new features” continues Byington. Sarah and Peni will wrap up the statewide training sessions by Friday, March 31, 2006.

Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) Database in SKIES Project update
“SKIES business analyst, Elise McKnight, is currently finishing the majority of business and functional requirements for the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) Database in SKIES Project” states Rachel Johnston, Business Systems & Performance. “Development on the initial features has begun” continues Johnston. Since units from across divisions assists the TAA customer, business experts from WorkSource Operations Division, Employment and Training Division, Unemployment Insurance Division and staff that provide direct service delivery to TAA customers have been involved in the development process. Next steps include strategies for business process planning and training. Information regarding the scope of the TAA Database project in SKIES is available on the SKIES web site at http://www.wa.gov/esd/skies/
 

January 30, 2006
More on Common Measures | SKIES Version 3 Enhancement-Select Next Record
Workgroup Meets to Define Seeker Services Available in SKIES

More Common Measures
On October 3, 2005 the first phase of the functional changes were made to SKIES in order to facilitate data collection in response to Common Measures and new federal reporting requirements. Since then the Department of Labor has made some changes to the Trade Assistance Participant Report (TAPR). Additional functional changes have been made to SKIES related to these changes. These changes were implemented and available to users on January 26, 2006.

The program exit outcome of "Retirement" has been added to the exit outcome drop down list through Job Seeker>Seeker Programs. In October "Recalled by Layoff Employer (TAA only) was added to the exit outcome drop down list. When "Recalled by Layoff Employer (TAA only) is selected by users, the users will have to attach job placement information for this exit outcome..

SKIES Management Reports have not been modified to reflect application changes at this time. Reports will be modified at a later date. Users will be notified when this occurs. For additional information or Frequently Asked Questions regarding this topic please visit the Inside SKIES web site at www.wa.gov/esd/skies

SKIES Version 3 Enhancement-Select Next Record
SKIES Version 3 Enhancement Select Next Record Job Seeker > Seeker Services and Employer > Employer > Information was moved into production and became available to users on January 9, 2006. This enhancement provides the User the ability to select the next Job Seeker record through the Seeker Services screen and also includes the ability to select the next Employer record through the Employer Information screens. This enhancement is the third phase of implementation of already implemented features. For more information visit the Inside SKIES web site at www.wa.gov/esd/skies

Workgroup meets to define Seeker Services Available in SKIES
A statewide task team co-chaired by Marlena Sessions, Seattle King County Workforce Development Area and M’Lissa Carson, Employment Security Department, WorkSource Operations Division - Program Services Administration met on January 5, 2006. Their task was to identify all the statewide job seeker services that are used for reporting purposes, make recommendations on suppressing duplicative services as well as making recommends on system-wide definitions for reporting needs. This task team has representation from all twelve workforce development areas. Representation includes Workforce Development Area partners, Employment Security Department WorkSource staff, SKIES Business Systems & Performance staff, Workforce Investment Act Administration, Employment & Training Monitoring Administration and WorkFirst Administration staff.