DIRECTIVE	:	TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 28-98
TO	:	ALL STATE JTPA LIAISONS ALL STATE WORKER ADJUSTMENT LIAISONS ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES ALL ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER SYSTEM LEADS
FROM	:	DAVID HENSON Director Office of Regional Management
SUBJECT	:	Tools of the Trade: A Learning Resources Catalogue for Workforce Professionals

1. Purpose. 

   1. To announce the completion and distribution of Tools of the Trade: A Learning Resources Catalogue for Workforce Professionals, containing more than 800 descriptions of courses, books, web sites, reports and sample materials designed to help workforce development practitioners and partners as they build their One-Stop systems under the Workforce Investment Act; and

   2. To announce the establishment of an electronic niche site for workforce professionals on America's Learning Exchange (ALX) -- http://www.alx.org/wfd.html -- which contains the information listed in Tools of the Trade.

2. Reference. Training and Employment Information Notice (TEIN) No. 36-97, "One-Stop Resource Sweep of Training and Technical Assistance Resources", dated May 14, 1998.

3. Background. Tools of the Trade: A Learning Resources Catalogue for Workforce Professionals was developed in response to the capacity-building priority established by the National One-Stop Capacity Building Workgroup. The Workgroup, made up of Federal, State and local One-Stop representatives, suggested that the system would benefit from a "tell us what's out there" product providing training tools and other resources for One-Stop staff and partners.

4. Content. Tools of the Trade incorporates the 400 listings already contained in the document entitled "One-Stop Resource Sweep of Training and Technical Assistance Resources" issued via TEIN 36-97 in May 1998 plus nearly 450 additional learning resources recently identified. Each resource listing includes a description and objectives, information on delivery methods, cost, length, and more. Those items in the public domain are clearly indicated.

   While Tools of the Trade, which is approximately 1000 pages in length, contains a significant number of resources, it is by no means all inclusive. It is hoped that workforce practitioners will continue to contribute to the resource base (see item number 8 below). As indicated in the disclaimer at the front of the document, inclusion of materials in the document does not constitute or imply their endorsement by the Department.

   Tools of the Trade also contains the recently completed One-Stop Competencies Matrix which provides a comprehensive listing of tasks, in Tools of the Trade.

   Together, the components of Tools of the Trade allow users to determine training needs and design a training plan, find curriculum and other learning resources in the public domain that can be used or adapted, locate training providers, and connect with colleagues who have experience in developing learning resources for One-Stop staff.

5. Electronic Speciality Data Base Availability. The various resource listings contained in Tools of the Trade are available on the Internet in a searchable format at http://www.alx.org/wfd.html. This is the specialty site for workforce development practitioners hosted by America's Learning eXchange. Workforce practitioners are encouraged to use the Internet version because it is free and searchable, and will be updated and expanded in the future.

6. Distribution. Under separate cover, each State One-Stop Lead will receive three copies of Tools of the Trade. Recipients are free to duplicate this information.

   Additional print copies of the document may be ordered from Technical Assistance and Training Corporation (TATC) for a production and mailing fee of $175 each. Send orders (prepaid by check) to Technical Assistance and Training Corporation, Attn: Alisa Tanaka, 2409 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. Ms. Tanaka can be reached by phone at (202) 408-8282, by fax at (202) 408-8308, or via e-mail at tanakaa@tatc.com. Diskette versions of the database used for the document in Access or Excel formats are available for $25 each from the TATC as well.

7. Further Material/Assistance. A flyer explaining the resources of Tools of the Trade and the ALX website is attached for State use. Conference or workshop speakers on the skill competencies and Tools of the Trade resources are available (on an expenses paid basis) by contacting Alisa Tanaka at TATC at (202) 408-8282 or tanakaa@tatc.com.

8. Action Required. State One-Stop Leads are requested to:

   1. Duplicate and distribute the Tools of the Trade flyer in order to make One-Stop practitioners and State and local partners throughout the State aware of the resources contained in Tools of the Trade. Encourage One-Stop staff and other partners to take advantage of the ALX Internet site to access these materials.

   2. Duplicate and distribute to One-Stop staff and other partners copies of the attached "One-Stop Capacity Building Product Description" form which they may use to provide further resources to be listed on the ALX workforce development practitioner speciality data base site. They should send any information they wish to share directly to TATC at the address listed on the form. Please stress to your colleagues that, through such sharing, they and the system at large will benefit from the wealth of experience and expertise already available.

      It should be noted that an electronic update feature for the ALX web site version of Tools of the Trade is anticipated which will allow practitioners and providers to add new resources and update current information. This feature will be announced immediately upon availability.

9. Inquiries. Questions on Tools of the Trade: Learning Resources for Workforce Professionals should be directed to your ETA Regional Office; to Alisa Tanaka at (202) 408-8282 or e-mail: tanakaa@tatc.com; or to Karen Staha of the National Office One-Stop Team at (202) 219-8395 x189 or e-mail: kstaha@doleta.gov.

10. Attachments. 

    • Tools of the Trade Flyer

    • One-Stop Capacity Building Product Collection Form

11. Separate Cover. 

    Tools of the Trade: A Learning Resources Catalogue for Workforce Development Professionals will be sent under separate cover by May 28.

NOTE: Tools of the Trade not available to DMS