Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

President Barack Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) into law on July 22, 2014. WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed the Act by a wide bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform in 15 years of the public workforce system.

Every year the key programs that form the pillars of WIOA help tens of millions of job seekers and workers to connect to good jobs and acquire the skills and credentials needed to obtain them. The enactment of WIOA provides opportunity for reforms to ensure the American Job Center system is job-driven—responding to the needs of employers and preparing workers for jobs that are available now and in the future.

WIOA supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In general, the Act takes effect on July 1, 2015, the first full program year after enactment, unless otherwise noted. 
Recent Updates:
WIOA Waiver Updates
  • On November 22, 2023 the Office of Workforce Investments posted a draft WIOA waiver request asking to waive the requirement that a minimum of 75% of WIOA Youth Program funds be spent on Out-of-School youth.
    • Public comments were accepted through December 23, 2023.
    • Oregon received no public comments.
    • This waiver request was approved by the US Department of Labor (DOL).
    • A copy of the waiver approval can be found here.

Policy and Guidance Updates                            
  • Draft versions of policies are posted for review and public comment here.​

Final performance targets for WIOA title I & III programs

(On May 16, 2024, Oregon received notification of finalized, agreed-upon performance targets for Program Years 2024 and 2024. These targets replaced the numbers proposed in Oregon's WIOA state plan.)
How do I know what I might be eligible for? 
​If you or someone you know is interested in seeing if you are eligible for WIOA grant-funded programs or job training in Oregon, the best place to do so is at one of our WorkSource Oregon centers. Some of our centers may be serving customers in a limited capacity; it may be best for you to make an appointment before you visit.
 
A good place to start is https://worksourceoregon.org/ . It includes an interactive map of our locations, an introductory video, and other useful links including phone numbers for all of Oregon’s offices, so you can find services near your location.
 
Eligibility for many WIOA-funded programs begins with completing an electronic registration. Prospective participants may do that by visiting https://secure.emp.state.or.us/wso/index.cfm?event=common.ehAuthentication.dspLogin#no-back-button and clicking on “Create your account” near the center of the page (unless you already have a WorkSource Oregon account).
 
Once your registration is complete, you can contact a WorkSource Oregon center and meet with staff who can help determine (and help you access) any resources and services for which you may be eligible.

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