Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

The public workforce system is governed by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), a federal law which was last reauthorized in 2014. In 2024, as Congress worked to reauthorize this law, the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) actively advocated for policies that would improve and strengthen the system. 

• On December 3, after Congressional committee leaders reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to enact A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWA), NAWB issued this statement.

• On November 27, NAWB released a summary of the bipartisan agreement.

• On November 22, NAWB shared its initial impressions of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional agreement.

• In August, NAWB  provided a status update on federal appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and where things stand with WIOA reauthorization.  

• In July, NAWB joined with the US Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the National Association of Counties to provide detailed feedback on the Senate Discussion Draft.

• In June, the US Senate released a Discussion Draft bill, and asked for feedback from stakeholders across the workforce development sector. 

• In April, following passage of HR 6655, NAWB expressed serious concerns about the bill,

• In December, 2023, NAWB reacted to a bill introduced in the House to reauthorize the workforce development laws.

For more information about WIOA, visit:

U.S. Department of Labor

Congressional Research Service