Problems Affecting the Accuracy and Timeliness of Employment Service Reporting Systems

In response to a congressional request, GAO reported on three types of reporting systems used by state employment services. GAO looked at the problems experienced with these systems, how the problems affect labor market information, operational and procedural problems that may prevent the successful implementation of various Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) requirements, and factors which the Secretary of Labor should consider when formulating the guidelines and regulations for implementing the JTPA.

GAO found several issues within the Job Bank, the Applicant Data System (ADS), and the Employment Security Automated Reporting System (ESARS) that raise questions about the successful implementation of some of the JTPA information system requirements. The systems are experiencing several problems which affect the accuracy and timeliness of the reports and the data which they contain. GAO believes that the operational and procedural problems should be corrected to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the data in the systems. Only a few states which GAO contacted have the resources and capabilities to correct the problems and to independently meet JTPA requirements. In the past, state officials have depended on the Department of Labor to provide technical and programing assistance, as well as financial support and other resources for the successful operation of the systems. However, Labor's regulations for implementing the JTPA requirements have not been issued, and the degree to which Labor will assist states with their systems has not yet been established.