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Workforce Investment Act.
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
WIA Fiscal Year 2012 Funding: State-by-State Impact Estimates Under FY 2012 House Labor-H Appropriations Bill | November 2011
WIA Fact Sheet, 112th Congress | February 2011
Recommendations for WIA Reauthorization | February 2011
Building “Career Pathways” for Low-Skilled Workers Through the Workforce Investment Act | January 2010
Transition Recommendations to USDOL for immediate improvement of WIA, TAA | November 2008
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
- Overview of Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants (Title IV) | Training Policy in Brief, 2007
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 4227 and HR 4297 respectively. The committee is currently scheduled to mark-up HR 4297 in late spring or early summer, and the House may vote on the bill shortly thereafter. It is unlikely that the Senate will take up any House-passed bill, and Congress will probably need to take up WIA reauthorization again in the next Congress. However, the House bill remains important as it will almost certainly serve as the starting point for any future congressional WIA reauthorization conversations.
NSC Analysis:
NSC Letter in Support of the Workforce Investment Act of 2012 (HR 4227) | March 23, 2012
NSC Testifies at House Legislative Hearing on WIA Bill (HR4297) | April 17, 2012
Workforce Investment Act of 2012 (HR 4227)
- Draft Legislation
- NSC Summary - Title I: Workforce Investment Systems
- NSC Summary - Title II: Adult Education and Literacy
Workforce Investment Improvement Act (HR4297)
- Draft Legislation
- Funding Consolidation Chart
- NSC Analysis
- Section-By-Section: Original Foxx WIA Bill (HR 3610)
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
