The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Department of Labor (DOL), in coordination with the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS), has worked to prepare everyone for the implementation of WIOA. The WIOA Resource Page provides information and resources for States, local areas, non-profits and other grantees, and other stakeholders to assist with implementation of the Act. This page is updated to reflect newly developed materials, including responses to frequently asked questions.
WIOA FINAL REGULATIONS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education have issued five rules implementing WIOA. WIOA is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers.
On August 19, 2016, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education announce the publication of the WIOA final rules in the Federal Register:
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: Joint Rule for Unified and Combined State Plans, Performance Accountability, and the One-Stop System Joint Provisions - Final Rule
(Effective Date: October 18, 2016) - Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: Department of Labor Only - Final Rule
(Effective Date: October 18, 2016) - State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program; State Supported Employment Services Program; Limitations on Use of Subminimum Wage - Final Rule
(Effective Date: September 19, 2016, with the exception of 34 CFR 361.10; 34 CFR 361.23; 34 CFR 361.40; and subparts D, E, and F of part 361, which become effective October 18, 2016) - Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: Miscellaneous Program Changes - Final Rule
(Effective Date: September 19, 2016, with the exception that the removal of part 388 becomes effective October 1, 2016) - Programs and Activities Authorized by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) - Final Rule
(Effective Date: September 19, 2016, with the exception of subparts H, I, and J of part 463, which become effective October 18, 2016)
Additional information on the final rules, including the materials below, are available here.
Innovation and Opportunity Network on WorkforceGPS (ION) also features technical assistance on strategies fundamental to WIOA implementation, such as customer-centered design, strategic boards, career pathways and sector strategies; it will also host technical assistance specific to the regulations as it is available. Use ION to find peer learning groups and calls, fact sheets, and details on training events; visit the ION Community of Practice at: https://ion.workforcegps.org/.
WIOA Partner Resource Pages
Department of Education
Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE): http://www.ed.gov/AEFLA
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative (OSERS) - Rehabilitation Services Administration: https://rsa.ed.gov/wioa.cfm
Department of Health and Human Services
Peer TA website: https://peerta.acf.hhs.gov/ofa-initiative/426
Disclaimer: This regulation has been submitted to the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) for publication, and is currently pending placement on public inspection at the OFR and publication in the Federal Register. This version of the regulations may vary slightly from the published document if minor technical or formatting changes are made during the OFR review process. Only the version published in the Federal Register is the official regulation.
WIOA Reference Map
The WIOA website and the Innovation & Opportunity Network are working in concert to provide you with the most up-to-date information concerning WIOA. This graphic shows what can be found on the two websites and we encourage you to utilize them as a cross-reference tool.
WIOA'S THREE HALLMARKS OF EXCELLENCE
- The needs of businesses and workers drive workforce solutions and local boards are accountable to communities in which they are located
- One-Stop Centers (or American Job Centers) provide excellent customer service to jobseekers and employers and focus on continuous improvement
- The workforce system supports strong regional economies and plays an active role in community and workforce development
ALL THINGS WIOA
We are striving to keep our WIOA website updated with the important information you need to best implement the new law. Provide us with your feedback to help ensure this website remains the go-to for all-things WIOA!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 2, 2016
Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity Regs Published
The U.S. Department of Labor's Civil Rights Center (CRC) announces publication of WIOA Section 188 nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regulations (29 CFR Part 38) in the Federal Register on December 2, 2016. The rule's updated provisions generally reflect obligations already imposed by changes to other nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws that expanded, for example, protections against unlawful discrimination on the basis of disability, national origin (including limited English proficiency), and sex.
Check out the rule, a Fact Sheet, FAQs, and other related information on the CRC's Web site at https://www.dol.gov/crc/188rule.
October 28, 2016
WIAC Meetings Scheduled
The Workforce Information Advisory Council (WIAC) will meet from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, and Thursday, Nov 17. The meeting will be held at the BLS Janet Norwood Training and Conference Center, Rooms 9 and 10, in the Postal Square Building at 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20212.
The WIAC is currently in the process of identifying and reviewing issues and aspects of the WLMI system and statewide systems that comprise the nationwide system and how the Department and the States will cooperate in the management of those systems. As part of this process, the Advisory Council meets to gather information and to engage in deliberative and planning activities to facilitate the development and provision of its recommendations to the Secretary in a timely manner.
For more information, go here.
August 19, 2016
WIOA Final Rules
The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education announce the publication of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act final rules in the Federal Register, on Friday, August 19, 2016.
Check out the rules and other related information here.
June 30, 2016
WIOA Final Regulations Publicly Available
The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education have made publicly available five rules to implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Pub. L. 113-128). President Barack Obama signed WIOA into law on July 22, 2014. WIOA is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers.
Check out the rules and other related information here.
June 30, 2016
Performance Accountability Resources Issued
The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education have collaboratively issued Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provisions related to performance accountability. The associated documents encompassed in this release include: a Participant Individual Record Layout, reporting calculation specifications, and quarterly and annual report templates. All of these documents have been approved by the Office and Management and Budget for collection through June 30, 2019. You may access the documents here.
May 4, 2016
SNAP E&T Offers WIOA Guidance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released the inaugural SNAP E&T (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training) Monthly Review, a newsletter that provides best practices, updates on the program nationally, and opportunities to learn more about SNAP E&T.
Along with the first e-blast, also available is the first in a multi-part series of policy briefs on SNAP E&T, Why Now is The Time for States to Build SNAP E&T Programs. This lays out the potential role of SNAP E&T in a State's skilled workforce strategy and outlines some initial first steps states should take. You can read about it here.
Also, go here to learn about TANF questions related to WIOA combined and unified plans.
