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Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

WIOA is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation’s public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers. Source: U.S. Department of Labor

WIOA Overview

  • WIOA Bill
    The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) guides Pennsylvania’s workforce and adult education initiatives, ensuring programs work together to support learners, job seekers, and employers.
  • U.S. Department of Labor WIOA
    Employment and Training Administration supports state and local adult education and workforce systems by providing grants, data, and resources to help adults gain skills, find employment and navigate career pathways.
  • AEFLA and WIOA
    This website provides information about the federal statute (AEFLA, Title II of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or WIOA) and its implementing regulations that govern adult education and family literacy programs. It explains how AEFLA supports adult learners—including English learners, parents, and incarcerated individuals—to gain essential skills, participate in education and training, and move toward economic self-sufficiency and civic engagement. It also covers how adult education aligns with the one-stop workforce system through WIOA’s performance accountability, state planning, and shared system provisions.
  • Program Memorandum from OCTAE
    This webiste outlines the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Title II of WIOA, and related regulations that guide adult education programs and their alignment with the workforce system.

Introduction to WIOA Resources

  • NRS 101: Measuring Performance under WIOA online course
    This self-paced online course provides an overview of WIOA indicators and reporting requirements, including how to use NRS tables and identify key data collection needs. In just 30–45 minutes, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the “what,” “why,” and “how” of federal accountability reporting.
  • NRS Basics Activity Packet
    The NRS Basics Activity Packet offers hands-on training activities to help local program staff understand WIOA and NRS reporting requirements. It supports learning through practical exercises focused on collecting and recording performance data effectively.

2024-2028 PA WIOA Combined State Plan

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires the governor of each state to submit a four-year unified or combined state plan outlining the state’s workforce development strategy. Pennsylvania’s Combined State Plan includes the six WIOA Core programs: (Adult, Dislocated Worker, Youth, Wagner-Peyser, Adult Basic Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation), as well as optional programs (PA Department of Labor and Industry, 2024). The PDF version of the plan is posted on the PA Department of Labor and Industry website.

NEW Adult Education Strengthens Workforce: This flyer provides a brief overview of the services provided through adult education funding and how these services support the PA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan. Adult education programs can share this flyer with workforce partners, community organizations, and local elected officials.

Pennsylvania Workforce Development Areas Industry Sectors

The PA Workforce Development Areas Industry Sector Focus document provides a listing of industry sectors that are the focus of Pennsylvania’s workforce development areas’ local plans. Programs can use this resource to link to the local plans and support ongoing planning with workforce development partners. 

WIOA Support Websites

  • WorkforceGPS
    WorkforceGPS, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides workforce professionals, educators, and business leaders with resources, training, and research to support workforce development and improve employment outcomes.
  • PA CareerLink®
    PA CareerLink®, part of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, connects job-seekers with family-sustaining jobs and helps employers find skilled candidates through a user-friendly job-matching system.
  • National Skills Coalition
    This website provides resources and information related to high-quality skills training and is focused on supporting the urgent need for an inclusive, skilled workforce.
  • Career Pathway Exchange
    This is a free information service that consolidates and distributes career pathways-related resources, events, and information from Federal and State agencies and partner organizations. The Exchange streamlines information from multiple outlets to facilitate a deeper national dialogue on career pathways systems development and implementation.
  • CLASP Publication 
    This summary of key provisions focuses on opportunities to improve services in Title I and Title II WIOA core programs.
  • Workforce Staff Training
    This portal is a pilot project established to provide on-demand training for workforce development staff in Pennsylvania. The short online modules were developed by Pennsylvania workforce development system staff. The trainings include best practices shared by these experienced staff.