Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Implementation Study
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) aimed to transform and modernize the workforce system by embracing evidence-based practices, boosting the accessibility of programs and services—especially among people with barriers to employment—and improving program quality and outcomes. SPR joined Mathematica to document and analyze how the system responded to the new law.
Project Highlights
With support
from the US Department of Labor (DOL), SPR and Mathematica teamed up to complete the first comprehensive study of how states implemented WIOA requirements.
Our team reviewed
federal guidance and technical assistance provided to states, analyzed program and participant data, fielded a survey to state workforce administrators.
We conducted
site visits to 18 states to identify key changes in these programs and in literacy and vocational rehabilitation programs.
The study team produced
an overview report, five topical reports, and a technical appendix.
“[The WIOA planning process] felt more that you were involved from the ground up, and it felt more as though you had the opportunity to weigh in and change and influence the outcome.”
Services to Young People
Most agencies met or were on track to meet the new requirement to spend 75% of their youth program funds on out-of-school youth, which was a reversal of their previous work with schools to build career pathways. Program data revealed a decrease in the number of youth participants served and in the length of time most participated in the program.
Services to Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Employers
WIOA’s changes to the Adult and Dislocated Worker programs and resulted in only incremental changes to service delivery and partnerships. The emphasis on career pathways in WIOA aligned well with ongoing efforts to collaborate. Some agencies designed new and improved processes for referral, intake, and staffing, and many developed cross-program business services teams.
Workforce Governance and Planning
WIOA requirements resulted in more strategic planning and more administrative tasks for workforce boards. The emphasis on career pathways at the state level encouraged local boards and their staff to strengthen their connections with the K-12 and higher education, despite the out-of-school youth spending requirement.
Related Resource
Operationalizing Changes to the Title I Youth Program Under WIOA
This report focuses on implementation of WIOA’s changes to the Title I youth program. It covers changes regarding funding, service delivery approaches, performance accountability, and program elements.
Related Resource
State and Local Efforts to Strengthen Workforce System Governance and Planning Under WIOA
This report focuses on implementation of key changes to governance of the workforce system and how state and local workforce boards engage in planning across the core programs. It discusses the successes and challenges, promising practices, and possible areas for further technical assistance for workforce system governance and planning.
Related Resource
New Requirements for American Job Center Systems Regarding One-Stop Operators, Partnership Agreements, and Certification
This report focuses on implementation of key changes to financial and management requirements for the American Job Center (AJC) system in order to seamlessly deliver services to all workforce customers across various partners.
Related Resource
Change and Continuity in the Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs under WIOA
This report focuses on implementation of key changes to the Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker programs under WIOA. It discusses the successes and challenges, promising practices, and possible areas for further technical assistance related to WIOA for these two programs.
Related Resource
Performance Accountability, Eligible Training Providers, Labor Market Information, and Evaluation Requirements Under WIOA
This report focuses on implementation of WIOA’s changes to data-driven areas under the law.
Related Resource
Early Insights from State Implementation of WIOA in 2017
This brief describes early WIOA implementation efforts, based on data collected during pilot site visits to four states and eight local areas in fall 2017.
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