The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federal law that substantially changes how workforce programs are delivered nationwide. In March 2016, the District submitted a Unified State Plan to the US Departments of Labor and Education detailing how it will use the new law to create an innovative, comprehensive plan to move the city forward. DC’s State Plan lays out specific strategies and operational components for overall workforce system improvements, focusing on five key areas: system alignment, access, performance, business alignment, and youth services. There is special attention paid toward high-growth industries to ensure that DC residents are prepared for the jobs of today and of tomorrow.
The WIOA State Plan guides the District’s workforce development system in assisting state residents, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, to move into high-quality jobs and careers while also helping employers hire and retain skilled workers.
As a single area, the Mayor must submit a WIOA State Plan to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor that outlines a four-year strategy for the State’s workforce development system. The publicly funded workforce development system is a national network of agencies that provide a range of employment, education, training, and related support services. States must have approved plans in place to receive funding for core programs.