The Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

In 1998, President Clinton signed the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), a federal law designed to improve the quality of the U.S. workforce, enhance the competitiveness of the nation, and reduce welfare dependency.

As the nation’s principal workforce development legislation, the WIA mandated the creation of a centralized workforce system in each state, along with a workforce investment board to oversee each workforce system. It also focused on meeting the needs of businesses for skilled workers, as well as the training, education, and employment needs of individuals.

To bolster the future of the U.S. workforce in today’s global economy, the WIA rewrote federal statutes governing programs of job training, adult education and literacy and vocational rehabilitation with the goals of:

• Streamlining workforce-related services;
• Eliminating the duplication of services;
• Empowering both businesses and individuals to obtain the services and the skills they want and need; and
• Encouraging businesses to provide information and leadership in the development of the nation’s workforce.

The WIA also offers more flexibility to local workforce development boards to operate programs, shifting both responsibility and accountability from the federal level to the state levels.

In Arizona, the WIA legislation resulted in the creation of the Governor’s Council on Workforce Policy, a diverse group of people pulled from many backgrounds, including public and private sector, city and state government, large and small business, industries, youth groups and higher education. This council advises the Governor and state legislature about workforce matters, helping Arizona prepare for the future workforce needs of the state, its people and businesses.

To satisfy WIA requirements, Arizona also created more than 50 One-Stop Service Centers to serve the employment and training needs of job seekers, businesses, and communities located throughout the state. These centers offer a variety of programs to employers, job seekers, youth, mature workers, new entrants to the workforce, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

In addition to the walk-in centers, a web-based resource called the Arizona Workforce Connection provides immediate, online access to workforce development information and programs.

Want to learn more about the WIA visit the U.S. Department of Labor website.