Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

President Barack Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, The Opportunity Act) into law on July 22, 2014. The Opportunity Act is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed the Act by a wide bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform in 15 years of the public workforce system.

Every year the key programs that form the pillars of The Opportunity Act help tens of millions of job seekers and workers to connect to good jobs and acquire the skills and credentials needed to obtain them. The enactment of The Opportunity Act provides opportunity for reforms to ensure the American Job Center system is job-driven—responding to the needs of employers and preparing workers for jobs that are available now and in the future.

The Opportunity Act supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In general, the Act takes effect on July 1, 2015, the first full program year after enactment, unless otherwise noted. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will issue further guidance on the timeframes for implementation of these changes and proposed regulations reflecting the changes in The Opportunity Act soon after enactment.

More information can be found at the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration site for WIOA and at the following links:

• WIOA Fact Sheet: The Big Picture 
• WIOA Fact Sheet: Quick Overview of All Final Rules 
• WIOA Fact Sheet: Detailed Overview of All Final Rules 
• WIOA Fact Sheet: Veterans
• WIOA Resources
• ION Workforce GPS