Introduction

The Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS) was an “early implementer” of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  The Department was created in anticipation of the changes to come under WIA, and began business as DWS in July of 1997.  Early implementation afforded DWS the opportunity to forge ahead of other states and create a one-stop environment, delivering more integrated services, which are seamless, customer-driven, and cost effective.  Today, as a “fully integrated” workforce system, DWS is better prepared to comply with the regulations and requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014. 

DWS provides services to customers in nine Economic Service Areas (ESAs) throughout the state:  Bear River, Wasatch Front North, Wasatch Front South, Mountainland, Uintah Basin, Castle Country, Southeast, Central Utah and Southwest.  Located throughout the state, each ESA has an administrative office and Employment Centers (ECs).  There are currently 34 ECs, and four Centralized Eligibility Centers in Utah.  The DWS ESA map may be accessed here.

The state’s administrative office and services are located in Salt Lake City, in the Wasatch Front South ESA.  Customers may visit any of the ECs throughout the state and apply for services.  Services include career counseling, connection to educational opportunities, vocational assessment, job training opportunities, Veteran’s services, job referrals, computer access, as well as supportive services such as food stamps, financial assistance, Medicaid and child care.  The preferred method of application for supportive services, such as food stamps and Medicaid programs, is via the department’s website, http://jobs.utah.gov, or by contacting the statewide Eligibility Services Division by telephone. Additionally, the department’s website affords job seekers and employers the opportunity to access many services, such as unemployment insurance and job search assistance from any personal computer with internet access.  DWS is “Utah’s Job Connection” for job seekers as well as employers.

The DWS Methods of Administration (MOA) serves as assurance for the Civil Rights Center (CRC) that Utah has appropriate and meaningful measures in place to comply with all the requirements imposed by or under 29 CFR part 38. The MOA serves as a "living document" for the department as well as the CRC. As policies, pathways, forms, flyers and/or other documentation are revised, developed and implemented, MOA updates will be submitted to the CRC.