Information on the Buildup in Public Service Jobs

Under title VI of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973, as amended, programs were designed to provide temporary employment assistance to the rapidly increasing number of unemployed persons in the nation. October 1976 amendments provided for the reservation of funds to employ long-term unemployed and low-income persons in title VI project jobs. The impact of these 1976 amendments on long-term unemployed and low-income individuals was reviewed.

The amendments may be having a positive influence on absorbing more income transfer recipients, particularly those receiving welfare payments. However, the ability to absorb welfare recipients and unemployment beneficiaries into title VI has been limited, approximately 2.6 percent of this universe was employed in title VI jobs as of September 30, 1977. Skimming of the best qualified has occurred in the program, with lower-skilled and lower-educated participants obtaining proportionately fewer jobs than those with higher education and skill levels. The eligibility determination system relies largely upon certification of statements made by the applicants, very little of the data is verified by prime sponsors. The net financial incentives for accepting a title VI job varied by location and by type of income transfer beneficiary. Most of the participants were employed in projects categorized as public works, environmental quality, social services, education, or parks and recreation.