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Employment and Workforce seeks $1.27M recurring for shared IT services, $887K one‑time migration
Summary
The Department of Employment and Workforce asked the House Ways and Means subcommittee for recurring funds of about $1.27 million to participate in Department of Administration shared IT services, a one‑time migration estimate of $887,000, $325,560 for IT recruit/retention, and $29,338 for regional workforce advisers.
The Department of Employment and Workforce requested several technology and personnel investments Tuesday as it seeks to modernize systems that support employers and jobseekers across the state.
William Floyd, executive director of DEW, told the House Ways and Means subcommittee his agency’s budget request is grouped into three categories: information technology modernization and retention, funding for regional workforce advisers, and the agency’s annual proviso updates.
For IT modernization, Floyd said DEW requests approximately $1,271,050 annually to participate in shared services hosted by the Department of Administration and an $887,000 one‑time migration estimate to move agency systems into the shared environment. "That amount is the estimate that Department admin has given us for that," Floyd said of the recurring shared‑services cost.
Floyd also detailed a recruit‑and‑retain request: recurring funds of $325,560 to close a pay gap he said leaves 93% of DEW’s IT staff paid below the state average and contributing to higher turnover.
On workforce programs, DEW asked for $29,338 to cover a 2% general increase for regional workforce advisers, who Floyd described as connectors between schools and employers and who receive appropriations from the Education Improvement Act that do not automatically receive the general increase.
Floyd described development of a central 'portal' to connect jobseekers and employers, noting DEW launched a "Find Your Future" website that will feed into the portal. He said the agency has retained an IT specialist FTE and a consultant to help develop an RFP and hopes to issue and evaluate an RFP within the coming year. He also noted the appointment of Dr. Rebecca Battle Bryant as director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development.
Floyd asked the committee to amend proviso 83.5 to update its fiscal-year reference from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, to continue existing Reed/REIT Act spending authority.
Committee members asked about staffing; Floyd said the agency has 810 authorized FTEs, 691 filled and 119 vacant, and explained some authorized positions exist without funding because of legacy organizational changes. The subcommittee adopted the packet of provisos and will continue to monitor DEW’s modernization and procurement progress.
The DEW presentation concluded without a roll‑call vote; lawmakers requested follow‑up materials and documentation on procurement and staffing figures.
