WIA Waiver Authority: Increased Flexibility and Improved
Programmatic Outcomes
The general statutory and regulatory waiver authority granted to the Secretary of Labor is a continuing authority granted by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) at section 189(i)(4),
Public Law 105-220, and provides increased flexibility to states and local areas in implementing reforms to the workforce development system in exchange for state and local accountability for results, including improved programmatic outcomes.
The waiver authority also provides an important opportunity for States and localities to continue to organize services into a workforce development system through the concepts of One-Stop Career Centers and School-to-Work systems which enhance the training and opportunities available to adults, dislocated workers and youth.
Background
There are three waiver authorities contained in WIA that have the potential to make a significant contribution to promoting innovative changes to the nations workforce development systems. Each provision authorizes waivers, as well as limits eligibility for such waivers.
The three waiver authorities are:
General Statutory/Regulatory
Waiver authority to the Secretary of Labor to grant to States limited statutory and regulatory waivers of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Wagner-Peyser Act (WIA sec. 189(i)(4).
Workforce Flexibility Plan (Work-Flex)
A Workforce Flexibility Plan under which authority to grant certain WIA, Wagner-Peyser and Older Americans Act statutory and regulatory waivers to local areas is delegated by the Secretary to the Governor for up to five years (WIA sec. 192).
Native American Program Waivers
Authorizes the Secretary to grant requests submitted by bonafide Native American Grantees to waive certain statutory and regulatory requirements of WIA Title I that are inconsistent with the specific needs of such entities (WIA sec 166(h)(3).