The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act BRIEFING FOR THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS OCTOBER 30, 2014
Agenda Overview of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Transition to WIOA and Key Implementation Dates Tools and Resources 3
WIOA Overview President Barack Obama signed WIOA into law on July 22, 2014. Passed by Congress with wide bipartisan majority (the Senate voted 93-5 and the House of Representatives voted 415-6). Broad vision of workforce programs: reaffirms ongoing role of American Job Centers and also requires coordination and alignment of key employment, education, and training programs. Promotes program alignment at the Federal, State, local, and regional levels. Builds on proven practices such as sector strategies, career pathways, regional economic approaches, work-based training. 4
WIOA Overview / Job-Driven Training Aligns with and complements the President s Vision for Job-Driven Workforce Development prepare workers for 21 st century jobs and ensure American businesses have skilled workers to be competitive in global economy. The Vice President issued a report, Ready to Work: Job-Driven Training and American Opportunity, based on his review of Federal job training programs on July 22, 2014 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/skills_report.pdf) Job-Driven Training Involves 3 Important Themes Business Engagement Strong Data Stakeholder Collaboration 5
Programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and retains and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner- Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Identifies core programs : Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Youth formula programs and Wagner- Peyser employment services administered by the Department of Labor; and Adult education and literacy programs and Vocational Rehabilitation state grant programs that assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment administered by the Department of Education. Authorizes the Job Corps, YouthBuild, Indian and Native Americans, and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker programs, and evaluation and research activities conducted by DOL. 6
Highlights of Reforms to the Public Workforce System under the Act Requires states to strategically align workforce development programs to support job seekers and employers. Promotes accountability and transparency of programs. Fosters regional collaboration to meet the needs of regional economies. Streamlines and strengthens the strategic roles of workforce development boards. Enhances services provided to job seekers and employers through the one stop centers. Improves services to employers and promotes work-based training. 7
Highlights of Reforms to the Public Workforce System under the Act Provides access to high quality training Enhances workforce services for the unemployed and other job seekers. Improves services to individuals with disabilities. Makes key investments in serving disconnected youth and other vulnerable populations, including Native Americans and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers. Increases the performance and quality of the Job Corps program. Reinforces connections with Registered Apprenticeship. 8
Transition to WIOA and key implementation dates In general, the Act takes effect on July 1, 2015, the first full program year after enactment, unless otherwise noted. Title IV, amendments to the Rehabilitation Act takes effect immediately. The State Unified Plans and Common Performance Accountability provisions take effect July 1, 2016. Notices of Proposed Rulemaking must be published by January 18, 2015 (no more than 180 days after enactment). Final Rules must be published by January 22, 2016 (no more than 18 months after enactment). 9
Transition to WIOA and key implementation dates States can spend no more than 2% of PY 2014 allotment for transition activities. Of that amount, not less than 50% is to be made available to local entities for those activities. The Department anticipates issuing further guidance on the use of PY 2014 funds for this purpose shortly. ETA will develop process and guidance for States that choose to voluntarily submit and implement the WIOA Unified Strategic Plans before the statutory required date of July 1, 2016. 10
Technical assistance tools and resources Department of Labor WIOA Resource Page (www.doleta.gov/wioa) WIOA Dedicated Email (DOL.WIOA@dol.gov) Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education s WIOA Resource Page (www.ed.gov/aefla) Rehabilitation Services Administration s WIOA Resource Page (http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/wioareauthorization.html) 11
Stakeholder engagement DOL, in coordination with Education and Health and Human Services, has to ensure states and local areas, other grantees, and stakeholders are prepared for implementation of WIOA. Stakeholder input is critical to the success of WIOA implementation. Secretary Perez and Secretary Duncan hosted calls with the more than 4,000 workforce system leaders and stakeholders on July 23, 2014. August November Stakeholder Webinar Consultations and Regional Town Hall Meetings Information on opportunities to provide input is available at www.doleta.gov/wioa. DOL will be providing in-person and virtual technical assistance throughout the implementation period. 12
Comments? 13
THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) K E Y R E F O R M S T O T I T L E I I T H E A D U L T E D U C A T I O N A N D F A M I L Y L I T E R A C Y A C T ( A E F L A ) October 30, 2014 14
PURPOSE OF AEFLA The purpose of AEFLA is to create a partnership among Federal government, States, and localities to provide adult education and literacy services that: Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency Assist adults who are parents or family members to become full partners in the educational development of their children Assist adults in completing high school U.S. Department of Education 15
EXPANDED PURPOSE OF AEFLA AEFLA s purpose is expanded to: Promote transitions from adult education to postsecondary education and training through career pathways Assist immigrants and English language learners to: Improve reading, writing, math, speaking, and comprehending the English language Acquire understanding of American government, individual freedom, and responsibilities of citizenship U.S. Department of Education 16
NOTABLE CHANGES AFFECTING ADULT EDUCATION The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: Aligns federal investments to support job seekers and employers Establishes common performance measures and encourages common data systems across core programs Strengthens alignment between adult education, postsecondary education, and employers Modifies State grant competition requirements to encourage improvements to adult education delivery system Increases support for correctional education U.S. Department of Education 17
WIOA RESOURCES U.S. Department of Education OCTAE Website: http://www.ed.gov/aefla Email: AskAEFLA@ed.gov OSERS Website: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/wioareauthorization.html Email: RSA.WIOA@ed.gov U.S. Department of Labor Website: http://www.doleta.gov/wioa Email: DOL.WIOA@dol.gov U.S. Department of Education 18
WIOA and Career Pathways: On the Ground Implementation Alisha Hyslop ACTE Director of Public Policy October 30, 2014
WIOA Opportunities Career pathways and credentials focus Program alignment Eased access to training Increased flexibility Entire conversation around education-labor market connection is shifting
WIOA Challenges Separate systems Administrative barriers Infrastructure funding Differences in language/terminology Data and reporting issues
Career Pathways Related Legislation Other Federal Laws: Perkins Career and Technical Education Act Higher Education Act Elementary and Secondary Education Act Many smaller grant programs, often sectorspecific
Career Pathways Related Legislation Key State Trends: Increased funding for career and technical education Governance changes Amended graduation requirements Secondary-postsecondary transition activities Partnerships Industry certifications/data
Career Pathways Related Legislation State Laws: Florida s CAPE Act California s Career Pathways Trust Louisiana s Jump Start Program Colorado s Accelerated Education and Skills Training Program Missouri s Innovation Campuses Oregon s Connecting Students to the World of Work Program Texas Workforce Innovation Needs Programs Vermont s Flexible Pathways Initiative