The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorizes and amends the Workforce Investment Act. Washington's Workforce Board has been tasked by the Governor with coordinating the planning and implentation of the Act in our state.
Click here for WIOA Committees and Materials
Committees helping shape new act
The Workforce Board is committed to an open, inclusive process of gathering input and recommendations to design the state's new WIOA system. The WIOA Steering Committee co-chairs and three subcommittees have been named.
Governor names Workforce Board state WIOA Board
This letter from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee affirms the Workforce Board's structure, which is equal parts business, labor, and government. The letter designates the Board as the official State Workforce Development Board under WIOA, and provides direction on the Governor's vision for system transformation under the Act. The letter also highlights the Board's successful history of partnership and consensus-building. |
More info on the Workforce Investment Act, which ended in the middle of 2015.
Staff contacts:
Terri Colbert, (360) 709-4623
Eric Wolf, (360) 709-4614
Rebecca Reule, (360) 709-4640
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New State Strategic Plan--NEW!
Get more details about the plan, including key strategies.
Or read Talent and Prosperity for All, the newly approved plan.
Committees, timelines, and WIOA overview
Local Workforce Development Areas
All local workforce development areas must develop a local plan to be submitted for approval by May 2, 2016.
What is WIOA?
Passed in July 2014, it's the first federal reform of the workforce system in 15 years. WIOA replaces and modifies the Workforce Investment Act, started in 1998. Most WIOA provisions become effective July 1, 2015.
What are WIOA's goals?
WIOA was designed to improve the quality of the workforce, increase economic self-sufficiency, reduce welfare dependency, meet employer skill requirements, and enhance the nation's productivity and competitiveness.
Key features of WIOA:
- Applies one set of accountability metrics to every federal workforce program under the bill.
- Requires states to create single strategic plan for training, employment services, adult education & vocational rehabilitation.
- Better aligns workforce areas, labor markets, and economic development regions.
- Strengthens evaluation and data reporting.
Which core programs are included in WIOA?
1. Employment and Training Programs
- Disadvantaged Youth Services
- Economically Disadvantaged Adult Services
- Dislocated Worker Programs
2. Basic Education for Adults under Title II
3. Wagner-Peyser Employment Services
4. Vocational Rehabilitation Services
More about WIOA from the U.S. Department of Labor
WIOA video overview from U.S. Department of Education
WIOA Operational Group
Public comment sought on draft WIOA targets--Deadline March 17
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Workforce Planning Regions
In the fall of 2015 the Workforce Board solicited feedback on proposed Workforce Planning Regions, offering the public and stakeholders the chance to weigh in. Workforce planning regions unite neighboring Workforce Development Councils with shared economic conditions, demographics, or labor pools to create a regionally coordinated strategic plan.
Comment sought on proposed WIOA rules
In the spring of 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education issued proposed rules for public comment. The Workforce Board gathered feedback on these proposed rules in early May. Board staff reviewed all submitted comments with staff from the state's Employment Security Department. The Board then developed a consolidated set of recommendations.
Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM)
The U.S. Departments of Education and Labor issued five separate NPRMs, over 2,600 pages, covering all aspects of WIOA. Comments were accepted by the federal agencies through June 15. Get more information on the NPRM webpage.
On the NPRM page, you'll also find information on youth transitions and WIOA guidance from the Departments of Labor and Education. |
Proposed WIOA Performance Targets
View the complete list |
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