Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (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.
One-Stop Career Centers
WIOA mandates that there be at least one physical location to accommodate the integration of services (the “One-Stop Center”). The One-Stop Operator, who manages the day-to-day functioning of the center, is designated by the local Workforce Development Board with the agreement of the local elected official.
One-Stop System Partners
The Workforce Investment Act identifies several required One-Stop System Partners and allows for additional partners designated locally. The required partners are:
- Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Programs
- Youth Opportunity Grants
- Job Corps
- Native American Programs
- Migrant/Seasonal Farm Worker Programs
- Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program II
- Wayner-Peyser Program
- Adult Education & Literacy Activities
- Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
- Welfare-to-Work Grants Program
- Senior Community Service Employment
- Post-Secondary Vocational Education
- Trade Adjustment Assistance & NAFTA
- Veterans’ Education & Training Services
- Community Services Block Grant Act
- HUD Employment & Training Programs
- Unemployment Insurance
Each One-Stop System Partner must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the local Workforce Development Board. The MOU describes the services that will be provided through the One-Stop System, how operating costs of the system will be allocated, and the method of referring individuals between the One-Stop Operator(s) and the One-Stop Partners. WIOA requires that core services be provided by all Partners through the One-Stop System.
Local Workforce Development Board
The role of the local Workforce Development Board (WDB) is system focused and strategic in nature. As a decision-making entity, the WDB determines priorities of service, negotiates measures, facilitates integration, and ensures quality outcomes. By understanding workforce development needs, anticipating trends, and focusing on system outcomes and performance, the WDB can effect substantial long-term change in the economic well being of the community.
Primary responsibilities of the WDB as the following:
- Oversee the local workforce investment system
- Develop a strategic plan for the local system
- Designate the one-stop operator(s)
- Certify eligible providers of youth, training, and intensive services
- Negotiate local performance measures
- Establish performance goals
- Evaluate and improve performance
- Local WDBs are prohibited from directly providing training services (unless there is a waiver from the Governor) and may not directly provide non-training services (unless the local elected official and Governor agree).