This guidance letter and its attachments replace and supersede prior operating procedures and policy guidance within the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) for H-2B certifications in the entertainment industry, including attachments I - IV of ETA Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 4-03 (TEGL 4-03). This letter describes the special procedures in ETA governing the H-2B nonimmigrant labor certification process for temporary positions in the entertainment industry. This TEGL, as revised, identifies the Chicago National Processing Center as the Center designated to issue ETA determinations on applications for certification to employ temporary workers in the entertainment industry which are initially filed by employers with designated Offices Specializing in Entertainment (OSEs) within the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). This is the only substantive change from previous procedures, under which ETA’s New York City, Dallas, and San Francisco Regional Certifying Officers were designated to issue determinations on these applications.

To inform the state workforce agencies (SWAs) of a revised interpretation of the deadline for enrollment in approved training as a condition of Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) eligibility for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) participants and its effect on Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) eligibility.

To inform states of the guidelines for (a) negotiating PY 2006 performance levels for Wagner-Peyser Act-funded activities under the common measures and (b) re-negotiating Average Earnings targets for the WIA Title IB Adult and Dislocated Worker programs. These negotiated performance goals for PY 2006 will be incorporated in the WIA and Wagner-Peyser Act Two-Year Strategic Plans. This Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) also clarifies the set of youth measures to which states are accountable for the upcoming program year.

To provide State Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) applicants with grant application instructions and procedures for Program Year (PY) 2006 beginning July 1, 2006.

To inform states and local areas of the expansion of ETA’s strategic vision, (as described in TEGL 3-04, dated July 16, 2004) to serve out-of-school and our most at-risk youth, including Indian and Native American youth and youth with disabilities under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

To announce ¬the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 funds to improve UI Information Technology Security.

This guidance letter updates the procedures states should follow to apply for WIA section 503 Incentive Grants.

To provide state workforce agencies (SWAs) information about the training and career development opportunity for Unemployment Insurance (UI) appeals staff scheduled for June 19 - 22, 2006, in San Diego, California; and to encourage staff participation in the conference.

To inform states that May 26, 2006 is the revised deadline for submittal of designations of ASUs, as defined in the WIA, for PY 2006 Youth and Adult program allotments.

To inform grantees of the circumstances affecting requirements for the PY 2006 State Senior Employment Services Coordination Plan (State Plan).