WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA)

History of WIOA:

WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed the Act by a broad bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform in 15 years of the public workforce system.

• President Barack Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) into law on July 22, 2014.
• WIOA supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In general, the Act takes effect on July 1, 2015, the first full program year after enactment, unless otherwise noted. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will issue further guidance on the timeframes for implementation of these changes and proposed regulations reflecting the changes in WIOA soon after enactment.

IMPROVES SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITIES:

WIOA increases individuals with disabilities’ access to high-quality workforce services and prepares them for competitive integrated employment.

• AJCs will provide physical and programmatic accessibility to employment and training services for individuals with disabilities.
• Youth with disabilities will receive extensive pre-employment transition services so they can successfully obtain competitive integrated employment.
• State vocational rehabilitation agencies will set aside at least 15 percent of their funding to provide transition services to youth with disabilities.
• A committee will advise the Secretary of Labor on strategies to increase competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.
• VR state grant programs will engage employers to improve participant employment outcome.