Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Reform Highlights
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed by President Obama
on July 22, 2014 after passing Congress with broad bipartisan support. WIOA reauthorizes
and amends the Workforce Investment Act (1998) through important workforce system
reforms.
1. Aligns Federal investments with State level strategic planning cross “core” programs.
Including:
a. Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs and the Wagner-Peyser Employment
Service under the Department of Labor; and
b. Adult Education and Literacy programs and Title 1 of the Rehabilitation Act programs
under the Department of Education.
2. Strengthens the governing bodies that establish state, regional, and local workforce
investment priorities.
a. Adds functions to develop strategies to meet worker and employer needs.
3. Emphasizes engaging employers to align training with needed skills and match
employers with qualified workers.
a. Adds flexibility at the local level to provide incumbent worker training and transitional jobs
as allowable activities and promotes work-based training.
b. Also emphasizes training that leads to industry-recognized post-secondary credentials.
4. Aligns the performance indicators for core programs and adds new ones related to
services to employers and postsecondary credential attainment.
a. Performance goals must reflect economic conditions and participant characteristics.
b. Makes available data on training providers’ performance outcomes and requires third party
evaluations of programs.
5. Requires States to identify economic regions and local areas to coordinate planning
and service delivery regionally.
6. Promotes career pathways and sector partnerships to increase employment in indemand industries and occupations.
a. Allows 100% funds transfer between Adult and Dislocated Worker programs.
b. Adds basic skills deficient as a priority category for Adult services.
c. Focuses Youth services on out-of-school youth (75% Out-of-School Youth funds and 25% InSchool Youth funds).
d. Strengthens services for unemployment insurance claimants.
e. Merges WIA core and intensive services into “Career Services”---meaning there is no
required sequence of services.
f.
Allows Governors to reserve up to 15% of formula funds for activities such as innovative
programs.
7. Increases individuals with disabilities’ access to high-quality workforce services to
prepare them for competitive integrated employment.
a. Requires better employer engagement and promotes physical and programmatic
accessibility.
b. Youth with disabilities receive extensive pre-employment transition services.
c. Creates an Advisory Committee on strategies to increate competitive integrated
employment for individuals with disabilities.
8. Requires co-location of Wagner-Peyser Employment Services in American Jobs
Centers and adds the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program as a
mandatory partner.
a. Sec. of Labor will establish a common identifier for the workforce system to help workers
and employers find available services.
b. Allows local areas to award pay for performance contracts so providers get paid for results.
Source: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEN/WIOA_Factsheet_Acc.pdf
WIOA Important Dates
January 18, 2015

Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Education (Ed), and Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) must publish Notices of Proposed Rulemaking
to Implement WIOA
July 1, 2015
 Most WIOA provisions take effect, 1st Program Year begins
 WIA state and local plan provisions continue to apply for the first full Program
Year
 Current performance accountability system remains in effect for first full
Program Year
July 22, 2015
 Template for performance reports by state, local, and Eligible Training Providers
must be developed by Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Education
 DOL, ED, and HHS must publish Final Rules to Implement WIOA
March 2, 2016
 Deadline for State Unified Plan submission
 Levels for new performance indicators negotiated as part of approval for State
Unified Plans
June 30, 2016
 DOL and ED must develop performance indicator relating to effectiveness in
serving employers
July 1, 2016
 One-stop infrastructure cost requirements take effect
 One-stop delivery identifier must be implemented
July 22, 2016
 1st plan describing research studies and multistate project priorities for a 5 year
period is due
 Provisions relating to subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities take
effect
July 22, 2018
 Independent evaluation of the programs and activities authorized in WIOA is
completed (atleast once every 4 years)
Source: http://www.doleta.gov/wioa/pdf/WIOA-Key-Implementation-Dates.pdf
Highlights of WIOA Reforms for Adult
Education
 Increases coordination of core programs through submission of a Unified State Plan
for core programs, that includes the strategic vision and goals of the state and the
operational elements that support the four-year strategy.
o
o
Includes how Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA)-specific elements, including:
 align content standards for adult ed with state-adopted academic standards;
 fund local activities;
 use funds to carry out State leadership activities; and
 assess the quality of education providers.
Must submit Unified State Plans by March 2016.
 Establishes Common Performance Measures across Core Programs that will be
negotiated with each State by the Secretaries of Education and Labor.
o
o
Performance measures include:
 percentage of program participants in unsubsidized employment during the 2nd and
4th quarter after exit;
 median earnings;
 percentage of participants who obtain a postsecondary credential or diploma during
participation or within one year after exit;
 participants achieving measurable skill gains; and
 effectiveness in serving employers.
Negotiated as part of Unified State Plan in March 2016.
 Strengthens alignment between adult education, postsecondary education, and
employers.
o
o
Adult education activities should increase an individual’s ability to transition to
postsecondary education and obtain employment.
Authorizes the use of funds for (concurrently or in combination with other training services):
 Integrated education and training
 “Service approach that provides adult education and literacy activities
concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and
workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster for the
purpose of educational and career advancement.”
 English literacy and civics education programs
 Workforce preparation activities
 “Activities, programs, or services designed to help an individual acquire a
combination of basic academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy
skills, and self-management skills, including competencies in utilizing
resources, using information, working with others, understanding systems,
and obtaining skills necessary for successful transition into and completion
of postsecondary education or training or employment.”
 Supports educational and career advancement for incarcerated individuals to
promote successful reentry and reduce recidivism.
o
o
Increases correctional education funding for states to not more than 20%.
Funds may be used for integrated education and training, career pathways, concurrent
enrollment, peer tutoring, and transition to re-entry initiatives and other services with the
goal of reducing recidivism.
 Encourages establishment of a high-quality local adult education delivery system with
amended considerations.
o
States should consider when providing funding to local program providers:
 Increased emphasis on alignment of activities with regional needs identified in local
plans under Title I;
 serving individuals with disabilities;
 instructional activities based on rigorous research;
 effective use of technology;
 activities that promoted integrated education and training; and
 coordination with education, training, employers, and social service providers.
 Supports professional development opportunities and innovative models to enhance
adult education programs, including new required leadership activities funded
through State leadership funds.
o
State plans should support alignment of core programs through professional development,
technical assistance, and evaluation.
 Promotes activities to improve the quality of adult education programs by ensuring
that resources support activities that better prepare adult students for postsecondary
and career success.
o
o
WIOA reserves 2% of AEFLA funds to carry out national leadership activities.
Secretary should support mandatory technical assistance activities for performance
measures and evaluation.
 Codifies the Integrated Literacy and Civics Education (IEL/CE) program.
o
o
12% of AEFLA funds will be reserved to carry out the IEL/CE program.
Programs should (1) prepare adults who are English language learners for unsubsidized
employment in in-demand industries and occupations and (2) integrate with the local
workforce development system.
Source: WIOA and Overview of Title II compiled by the US Dept of Education
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (www.seakingwdc.org) is a nonprofit workforce “think tank” and grant-making organization that
oversees employment-related programs for youth, the adult workforce and employers in King County, with the goal of a strong economy and self-sufficiency for
every resident.
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provider of employment and training services.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Telecommunications Relay System, 800.833.6384 or 7-1-1.