THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (‘WIA”) superseded the Job Training Partnership Act and reformed job training programs by creating a new, comprehensive workforce investment system.  The goal of WIA was to create a new customer-focused system that helps Americans access the tools they need to manage their careers through information and high quality services, and to help U.S. companies find skilled workers. 

The U.S. has dropped to 13th place among the world’s most educated nations for young adults;  37 million adults have started but not finished college.   To rise in the ranks once again and to attain the top ranking for the percent of adults with a college education—as charged by President Obama—more people who historically have not pursued higher education or succeeded in completing their postsecondary education must attend and complete their education.  From both a jobs and a global competitiveness standpoint, private sector colleges can help fill the existing education and skills gap and meet capacity demands that cannot be satisfied by public and private non-profit colleges alone.  Increasing the number of educated people is essential.  Research shows that raising the college graduate rate just a single point will unleash $124 billion per year in economic impact on the 51 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Workforce Investment Act

On March 15, 2013, The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 803, the Supporting Knowlege and Investing in Lifelong Skills Act. H.R. 803 was sponsored by Virginia Foxx, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.