AWI PROGRAMS

Workforce Investment Act

• The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), (Acrobat.pdf version)
• WIA Final Rules Without Comments & Background
• WIA Final Rules
• Government Grant Policies and Circulars
• Common Rules for State and Local Governments (29 CFR 97-Includes Records Retention)
• Common Rules for Educational Institutions and Non-Profit Organizations (29 CFR 95-Includes Records Retention)

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) (Acrobat.pdf version), comprehensive reform legislation that superseded the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and amended the Wagner-Peyser Act. The WIA also contains the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (title II) and the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 (title IV).

The WIA reformed Federal job training programs and created a new comprehensive workforce investment system. The reformed system is customer focused to help Americans access the tools they need to manage their careers through information and high quality services, and to help U.S. companies find skilled workers.

• Streamlining services through better integration at the street level in the One-Stop delivery system. Programs and providers will co-locate, coordinate and integrate activities and information, so that the system as a whole is coherent and accessible for individuals and businesses alike.

• Empowering individuals in several ways. First, eligible adults are given financial power to use Individual Training Accounts (ITA's) at qualified institutions. These ITA's supplement financial aid already available through other sources. Second, individuals are empowered with greater levels of information and guidance, through a system of consumer reports providing key information on the performance outcomes of training and education providers. Third, individuals are empowered through the advice, guidance, and support available through the One-Stop system, and the activities of One-Stop partners.

• Universal access. Any individual will have access to the One-Stop system and to core employment-related services. Information about job vacancies, career options, student financial aid, relevant employment trends, and instruction on how to conduct a job search, write a resume, or interview with an employer in available to any job seeker in the U.S., or anyone who wants to advance his or her career.

• Increased accountability. The goal of the Act is to increase employment, retention, and earning of participants, and in doing so, improve the quality of the workforce to sustain economic growth, enhance productivity and competitiveness, and reduce welfare dependency. Training providers and their programs also have to demonstrate successful performance to remain eligible to receive funds under the Act.

• Strong role for local workforce investment boards and the private sector, with local, business-led boards acting as "boards of directors," focusing on strategic planning, policy development and oversight of the local workforce investment system. Business and labor have an immediate and direct stake in the quality of the workforce investment system. Their active involvement is critical to the provision of essential data on what skills are in demand, what jobs are available, what career fields are expending, and the identification and development of programs that best meet local employer needs.

• State and local flexibility. States and localities have increased flexibility, with significant authority reserved for the Governor and chief elected officials, to build on existing reforms in the order to implement innovative and comprehensive workforce investment systems tailored to meet the particular needs to local and regional labor markets.

• Improved youth programs linked more closely to local labor market needs and community youth programs and services, and with strong connections between academic and occupational learning. Youth programs include activities that promote youth development and citizenship, such as leadership development through voluntary community service opportunities; adult mentoring and follow-up; and targeted opportunities for youth living in high poverty areas.

• Program Information, Reports and Forms
• Resources
• State Guidance and Legislation
• Questions and Answers
• WIA Management Information System
• WIA Training Information