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What does WIOA mean for employers?

Following overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate and House, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law by President Obama on July 22, 2014. 

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WIOA authorizes federal employment and training programs. It is designed to help individuals acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for today’s economy and to connect employers to the skilled workers they need. 

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WIOA is structured to focus more on the employment needs of employers and to develop strategies for meeting those needs. At the local level, the local workforce board will lead efforts to engage employers, including small employers and employers in in-demand industries. The Act promotes the use of sector (e.g., health care, manufacturing) strategies to form partnerships among key stakeholders in a local area. In addition, WIOA retains business majority membership on both state and local workforce boards to reinforce a demand-drive system. It allows greater flexibility for the delivery of training services available to employers by increasing the ability to use on-the-job training, pay-for-performance training contracts and incumbent worker training to meet employers’ needs.

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Training Services Offered

 

WIOA is designed to increase participant access to training services. Training services are provided to equip individuals to enter the workforce and retain employment. Examples of training services include:

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  1. Occupational skills training, including training for nontraditional employment;

  2. On-the-job training (OJT), including registered apprenticeship;

  3. Incumbent worker training in accordance with WIOA §134(d)(4);

  4. Workplace training and cooperative education programs;

  5. Private sector training programs;

  6. Skills upgrading and retraining;

  7. Entrepreneurial training;

  8. Job readiness training provided in combination with other training described above;

  9. Adult education and literacy activities, including activities of English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs, in combination with training; and

  10. Customized training conducted with a commitment by an employer or group of employers to employ an individual upon successful completion of the training.

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City of Cherokee Village

Ray Newcomb helping with flagging and traffic direction during road construction. Ray Newcomb was hired part time from the WIOA program. Ray was retired, and tired of being at home. He works with Planning and Zoning and takes care of all types of things for the city. He oversees community service workers, helps with dump site (discovery and removal), maintains buildings, outside areas of city property, parks, and assists the Cherokee Village Street Department in various ways from time to time.

Ed Soja and Jason White doing potholing work. CVSD hired Ed Soja full time in October 2017 from the WIOA program. Ed relocated to this area to build a home with his wife in the quiet countryside. This is Ed’s first time working for a government entity, his background was in maintenance in the private sector. He volunteers extensively in his community and is a very active member of church.  Ed is very dedicated and works with minimal supervision and instruction, and takes pride in all that he does.

Jason White demonstrating how the  equipment works to some younger residents at the city showcase. Jason White relocated to this area when the family farm was sold. He has extensive experience with farm equipment. Until coming to work for the city of Cherokee Village, he had never been at a job with benefits, i.e.: vacation, sick time, insurance, etc.  He has learned new skills quickly and is an asset for CVSD.

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call us at 870-793-5233

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