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Workforce Investment Act.
Recent Analyses
Workforce Investment Act of 2013 (HR 798)
- Section-by-Section - Title I: Workforce Investment Systems
- Section-by-Section - Title II: Adult Education and Literacy
SKILLS Act (HR 803)
In 1998, Congress passed the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), replacing the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) as the largest single source of federal funding for workforce development activities. WIA was to create a universal access system of one-stop career centers, which would provide access to training and employment services for a range of workers, including low-income adults, low-income youth, and dislocated workers.
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress made substantial, badly-needed new investments in WIA. As Congress looks to reauthorize WIA in 2012 it will be an opportunity to help ensure our nation’s workers receive the services and supports they need to go back to work and begin rebuilding our economy. Ensuring that every U.S. worker has at least an industry certification, vocational degree or two years of college should be a national priority.
This page contains overview materials on WIA, as well as analysis and recommendations for reauthorization developed by National Skills Coalition.
National Skills Coalition Platform and Overview
Workforce Stakeholders Group Statement on Reforming Job Training Programs in America | March 2013
WIA Fiscal Year 2012 Funding: State-by-State Impact Estimates Under FY 2012 House Labor-H Appropriations Bill | November 2011
Recommendations for WIA Reauthorization | February 2011
Building “Career Pathways” for Low-Skilled Workers Through the Workforce Investment Act | January 2010
Overview Materials:
- Overview of WIA Title I | Training Policy in Brief, 2011
- Overview of WIA Title II | Training Policy in Brief, 2011
- Overview of Wagner-Peyser (Title III) | Training Policy in Brief, 2012
Current Law
House Reauthorization
Democrats and Republicans on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce have introduced separate legislative proposals to reform and reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act – HR 798 and HR 803 respectively. The committee is currently scheduled to mark-up HR 803 on Wednesday, March 6, and the House may vote on the bill shortly thereafter. It is unlikely that the Senate will take up any House-passed bill, but will likely conference their own version of a WIA reauthorization bill with the House passed bill during this Congress. As a result, the House bill will serve as an important starting point for any future congressional WIA reauthorization negotiations.
NSC Analysis:
Workforce Stakeholders Group Statement on Reforming Job Training Programs in America | March, 2013
NSC Letter in Opposition of the SKILLS Act (HR 803) | March 4, 2013
NSC Letter in Support of the Workforce Investment Act of 2013 (HR 798) | February 14, 2013
Workforce Investment Act of 2013 (HR 798)
SKILLS Act (HR 803)
- Draft Legislation
- Funding Consolidation Chart
- NSC Summary - Title I: Amendments to the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
- Section-by-Section - Title I
- NSC Summary - Title II: Adult Education and Family Literacy Education Act
- Section-by-Section - Title II
Note: NSC Executive Director Andy Van Kleunen testified in opposition to HR 4297, now HR 803, at a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing during the 112th Congress. As the bill has been changed only very slightly, this testimony still speaks to the current legislation introduced in the 113th Congress.
NSC Testifies at House Legislative Hearing on WIA Bill (HR4297) | April 17, 2012
Senate Reauthorization
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) released discussion drafts of each Title of the proposed Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization bill in June 2011. This is the product of a two year bipartisan effort to renew and improve the nation’s primary workforce system. Although a mark-up of the bill was originally scheduled for June 29, the committee was unable to reach a bipartisan agreement on how to proceed and the process stalled. It now seems unlikely that the Senate will take up WIA reauthorization in the current Congress. Click below to download discussion drafts of each individual Title.
NSC Analysis:
NSC Letter to Senate HELP Committee on WIA Draft | June 17, 2011
NSC Detailed Recommendations for Improving the WIA Draft | June 17, 2011
Title I: To support a comprehensive and coordinated workforce development system, Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 2011 streamlines governance provisions such as boards and plans and establishes common performance indicators across the four core WIA programs.
Title II: One stop delivery system, job training formula programs, and national programs.
Title III: Adult Education
Title IV: Amendments to the Wagner-Peyser Act
Title V: Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act
Title VI: General Provisions
