Practicing Partnerships and WIOA
Impact of WIOA: History, Intention, Impact on Internal Systems
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act( WIOA), signed into law on July 22, 2014, is the first legislation reform of the federal public workforce system in fifteen years. It supersedes the Workforce Investment Act( WIA) of 1998 and amends Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Beginning July 1, 2015, the transition began into the full implementation of WIOA.
Nationally, WIOA presents the opportunity to improve job and career options for our nation’ s jobseekers and workers by supporting an integrated system to link diverse talent( people) to businesses( jobs / career paths). It supports a high quality, one-stop center system aligning investments in workforce, education, and economic development. It reinforces the partnerships that are essential to provide job seekers and workers with high-quality education, training, and supportive career services. Businesses are also able to find skilled workers and access support, such as education and training for their current employees.
WIOA establishes structures for core programs to more effectively work together. The U. S. Department of Labor( DOL) has issued guidance on the timeframes for implementation of changes in WIOA. Each state has been charged with submitting a State Unified Plan and Common Performance Accountability provision. WIOA has empowered State and Local elected officials and private sector-led workforce boards with the responsibility of developing strategic, integrated plans that support economic growth and labor force needs
intended to grow the capacity and performance of the workforce system.
What does this mean for adult basic education and Metro North ABE?
WIOA requires that ABE programs have representation on local Workforce Development Boards and actively participate in local strategic planning. ABE, as a core program, is charged with supporting specific activities on the local boards including participation
WIOA Partners Review
Adult Basic Education is one of six core programs in WIOA. Other core programs include the Adult Dislocated Worker Program, Youth Programs, Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Services, and Rehabilitation programs. Additional programs authorized by WIOA include Job Corps program, the Youth- Build program, Native American programs, and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker programs.
Metro North ABE has a history of collaboration and partnership with many of these and other local programs and resources. Because WIOA places greater emphasis on one-stops achieving results for jobseekers, workers, and partnerships, WIOA will support our continued work together.
WIOA will continue to support the practice of career pathway development. Specific career pathway development is promoted by the workforce center based on local needs and economics. ABE can continue to support this development by offering contextualized, career-specific instruction to individuals entering( bridging) into postsecondary training, and assisting those same students after the transition into postsecondary to ensure success( integration). ABE’ s work in this area
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