The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) provides workforce services and supports through statewide and local One-Stop Career Center systems that have at their core the goals of enhanced employment, retention, and earnings of individuals; increased occupational skills attainment; and improved national economic growth through better productivity and competitiveness.

Since the passage of WIA in 1998, governors have initiated broad structural reforms in their workforce development systems. These reforms are producing highly skilled workers that will help strengthen American's business and the economy. Yet, experiences from states reveal that many challenges remain, such as providing a comprehensive, seamless system of education and training for workers; meeting reporting requirements; coping with resource constraints and fully engaging the business community as partners.

NGA Position

Governors believe that WIA reauthorization presents an important opportunity to enhance the federal-state workforce system, support state innovation, and provide greater authority to governors in overseeing the implementation and coordination of workforce programs. Combining a comprehensive, integrated, and flexible workforce system with nimble state economic development strategies, the nation will have the tools for speedy, effective responses to the changing needs of workers and businesses alike, as they compete in the global economy. To strengthen the nation's workforce development system, governors recommend that Congress adopt the joint recommendations from NGA, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), and the National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs.

Legislative Proposals and Official Policy:

ECW-01. Governors' Principles to Ensure Workforce Excellence Policy

NGA-NASWA-Chairs WIA Recommendations
NGA, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), and the National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs submitted joint recommendations to Congressional leadership on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

NGA-NASWA Common Measure Proposal: Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act
NGA and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) released joint recommendations outlining their proposal for common measures during the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act.

Related Materials:

• NGA Testimony on New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce Investment Act (2009)
  February 26, 2009 testimony by Sandi Vito, Acting Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, on behalf of NGA before the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness in preparation for the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

• NGA Memo to President-Elect Obama Transition Team on Key Workforce Priorities for the Nation’s Governors
  December 16, 2008, Memo providing feedback to the President-Elect Obama Transition Team on key priorities of governors to improve the nation’s workforce system.

• NGA Oral Presentation on Transforming Workforce Legislation (2008)
  On November 17, 2008, Bennett Blodgett from Governor Timothy Kaine’s office spoke on behalf of the NGA, Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee to the staff of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee.  The Senate Staff Listening Session on Workforce brought together a cross-section of interested stakeholders to identify key priorities, suggestions, and challenges that will serve to inform the legislative process in the 111th Congress. 
  
  
• Governors Release Conference Letter on FY08 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations (2007)
  NGA sent a letter to Senate and House leadership outlining governors' priorities for the fiscal year 2008 (FY08) Labor-HHS-Education appropriations conference report.
  
  
• NGA Testimony on WIA Reauthorization (2007)
  July 26, 2007 testimony by Charles Ware (Chair, National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs) on behalf of NGA before the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
  
  
• WIA FY08 Rescission Memo on Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations
  
  
• NGA-NASWA-State Workforce Board Chairs Joint Letter on WIA Reauthorization
  July 17, 2007 letter (from Governor Gregoire, Governor Rell, NASWA President Halley, and NASWBC Chair Ware) to Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Kennedy and Ranking Member Enzi, and to House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon urging them to incorporate the joint NGA-NASWA-State Workforce Board Chairs recommendations as they develop legislation to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act.
  
  
• NGA Letter Regarding Bipartisan WIA Proposal
  July 31, 2006 letter (from Governor Pawlenty and Governor Gregoire) to Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Kennedy, and to House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Miller urging Congress to include NGA’s bipartisan workforce proposal to allow states to coordinate funding in the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
  
  
• NGA Letter on WIA Reauthorization
  March 24, 2005 letter (from Governor Sebelius and Governor Pawlenty) to Chairman Enzi and Senator Kennedy concerning reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act.
  
  
• NGA Testimony on WIA (2005)
  April 14, 2005 testimony by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Chair of the NGA Education, Early Childhood, and Workforce Committee, before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Lifelong Education Opportunities.