Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Implementation

President Barack Obama signed WIOA into law on July 22, 2014. WIOA is designed to help jobseekers 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 wide bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform of the public workforce system in more than 15 years. Every year, the key programs that form the pillars of WIOA help millions of jobseekers and workers connect to good jobs and acquire the skills and credentials needed to obtain them.

WIOA Programs

WIOA brings together, in strategic coordination, the core programs of federal investment in skill development:

Employment and training services for adults, dislocated workers and youth, and Wagner-Peyser employment services administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) through formula grants to states
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 (DoED)

WIOA also authorizes programs for specific vulnerable populations, including the Job Corps, YouthBuild, Indian and Native Americans, and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker programs, as well as evaluation and multistate projects administered by DOL. In addition, WIOA approves other programs administered by DoED and the Department of Health and Human Services.

WIOA replaces the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and retains and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the WagnerPeyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Key Links for Additional WIOA Information

Quick Facts About WIOA

WIOA requires that federal agencies, states and local Workforce Development Boards (WDB) with employment and training programs develop job-driven training services to ensure employers and jobseekers know what to expect when they participate in a training program. The services include the following:

ENGAGING EMPLOYERS - Work upfront with employers to determine local hiring needs and design training programs that are responsive to those needs
EARN AND LEARN - Offer work-based learning opportunities with employers - On-the-Job Training, internships, pre-apprenticeships, and registered apprenticeships - as training paths to employment
SMART CHOICES - Make better use of data to drive accountability, describe what programs are offered and what is taught, and offer user-friendly information for jobseekers to choose programs and pathways that work for them
MEASURING MATTERS - Measure and evaluate employment and earnings outcomes
STEPPING STONES - Promote a seamless progression from one educational stepping stone to another, and across work-based training and education, so all efforts result in progress
OPENING DOORS - Break down barriers to accessing job-driven training and hiring for any American who is willing to work, including access to supportive services and relevant guidance
REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS - Coordinate activities between American Job Centers, local employers, education and training providers, economic development agencies, and other public and private entities, to make the most of limited resources

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Services Provided

EDSI understands WIOA implementation requirements and the impact they will have on local WDB operations and service activities. We have been at the forefront of aligning service integration and building partnerships with states, community based organizations, education, business and economic development organizations, and industry, which provides a strong foundation for implementation of WIOA. We look forward to sharing our experience and services, and see numerous opportunities to assist you in implementing WIOA. These opportunities include, but are not limited to:

Implementing integrated services at the One-Stop Centers and Access Points.
Aligning programs and ensuring that customers have access to quality services and can make smarter choices.
Expanding industry partnerships by working with employers, training providers, community based organizations and economic development organizations to promote OJT, incumbent worker training opportunities, internships and apprenticeship opportunities.
Working with employers to determine their hiring needs by using tools such as Skilldex JTAs, which identify the skill set requirements of the job. Skilldex is a task-based software and methodology utilized for job placement and measuring skill acquisition.
Using Skilldex JTAs to identify and refer jobseekers who meet the skill requirements of the job.
Promoting work-based learning opportunities with employers. We are experienced in managing and promoting OJT, internships, pre-apprenticeships, and registered apprenticeship programs in multiple states.
Reviewing training programs to ensure they are responsive to employer needs.

Are you looking for an easy-to-implement WIOA Career Pathways Program?

We partner with workforce development boards and engage with employers and educators to build fully aligned pathways that make a huge impact on your regional workforce. Our career and industry guides are professionally designed to engage job seekers and optimize your regional career pathways.

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Let's Get Started

We understand local WDB operations and the critical need to be flexible and responsive to both state and local needs. We have been in the forefront of aligning service integration 60+ program operations around the country. EDSI's model of service integration is not only colocation of partners, but rather a true alignment of services and resources to better assist jobseekers and employers. Our experience in operating WIA and EARN services, and our success in building partnerships with states, community-based organizations, education, businesses, economic development organizations and industry partnerships provides a strong foundation for the implementation of WIOA.

We would love to hear from you. We'll listen to your needs and demonstrate how we can help.