BRAC 2005: ETA Announces Tools and Services Available through the Workforce Information System for Affected Civilian and Military Workers

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced on May 13 that the Department's recommendations to close or realign military facilities in the United States will better position U.S. forces to confront this century's threats. The BRAC recommendations, if adopted would close 33 major bases and realign 29 more.

Department of Defense May 13 News Release

BRAC 2005 Closure and Realignment Impacts by State

The Base Realignment and Closure Web Site provides employees, managers, supervisors, and human resources specialists the latest information on BRAC, and the variety of transition assistance programs offered by the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies.

The Department of Defense BRAC Transition "Other Websites" also provides access to a number of electronic tools including the BRAC Coach, Career One Stop, and Career Voyages.

Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao released the following May 13 statement on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations:

"The U.S. Department of Labor stands ready to assist all workers affected by base closures in finding other good job opportunities. Support is available through the local One Stop Career Centers and Department of Labor training programs to help these workers make a successful job transition."

The Employment and Training Administration's Assistant Secretary Emily Stover DeRocco has also emphasized that the "public workforce system has a key role to play and can provide much leadership in assisting with the transition." The Assistant Secretary's full statement (this should be a link to the text that is currently found on the Active Desktop)

The Department of Labor continues to work in partnership with the Department of Defense to ensure that the nation's workforce development system is responsive to the needs of those affected. These information products, services and guidance include:

• TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER 2-05
  The Employment and Training Administration issued Training and Employment Guidance Letter 2-05 on August 11, 2005 to key principals in the workforce investment system. This TEGL delineates federal, state and local roles and responsibilities in providing support to the BRAC initiative. It also describes expectations for a system-wide response that is quick, user-friendly, valuable and compassionate in assisting workers and businesses in BRAC-impacted communities. The TEGL discusses the need to a system response that is demand-driven and linked to economic development, and encourages the use of Workforce Investment Act funding to respond to community need. The TEGL also provides case studies of successful base conversions implemented by communities following previous BRAC rounds.



• TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER 16-03 (CHANGE 2)
  Change 2 to Training and Employment Letter (TEGL) 16-03 on the use of National Emergency Grant (NEG) Funds Activities Related to BRAC 2005 was released on May 24.



• BRAC COACH
  The Department has developed the BRAC Coach to assist workers, businesses and local workforce staff who may be impacted by realignment or closure.



• BRAC NATIONAL EMERGENCY GRANT "QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS"
  ETA has developed a set of "questions and answers" to provide additional guidance on Change 2 to TEGL 16-03.



• TOLL-FREE NUMBER
  The staff at the Toll-Free Help Line (1-877-US2-JOBS; TTY: 1-877-889-5627) are ready to assist all callers by directing them to the appropriate employment, training or career guidance resources to be found in our 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers.



• ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY SPOUSES
  The MILspouse.org Web site has been recently updated to provide valuable links to BRAC announcements and technical assistance products.



• EMAIL BOX FOR QUESTIONS FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS
  An email box has been created for questions from community leaders. If we can be of assistance, you can send email to bracquestions@dol.gov.