President Signs New Workforce System Legislation

Earlier this week, President Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the first legislative reform in 15 years of the public workforce system. WIOA will help job seekers and workers access employment, education, training and the services they need for a successful career. It will also assist employers by matching them with the skilled employees they need to compete in a global economy.

Congress passed WIOA by a wide bipartisan majority. The new federal legislation will guide the structure and delivery of job training and re-employment programs administered by the nation’s workforce development system. Millions of Americans access these services each year to obtain good jobs and a better living.

According to the White House, the Administration will continue to work with business and union leaders, school administrators, workforce experts, and state and local elected officials to replicate successful training strategies in communities throughout the United States.

Congressman Brett Guthrie attended the signing ceremony. Guthrie introduced a similar bill after being elected to Congress to revise and reauthorize the federal job training programs. He serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which has jurisdiction over many of the issues relevant to skills training, jobs and the economy.

The Kentucky Career Centers - Lincoln Trail offer a one-stop solution to employers  and job seekers. With four full-service centers in the area, both employers and job seekers have direct access to information about everything from job openings to specialized assistance and training programs. The Career Center staff is also available to help employers access the most recent labor market information, on-the-job training opportunities and other employment-related assistance.

Read more about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act here.

And here: Ready to Work: New Actions to Expand Job-Driven Training and Broaden the Pathway to the Middle Class