Supporting Workers (WIA/VR Reauthorization)

Background: The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-220) integrates several federal employment and training programs, and is the primary workforce development vehicle of the U.S. Department of Labor.  WIA was designed to create a universal access system of one-stop career centers to provide access to training and employment services for a range of workers, including low-income adults, low-income youth, dislocated workers and people with disabilities.  The system uses a central one-stop career center designed to provide core employment services to job seekers and to meet the needs of employers.  The Vocational Rehabilitation Act (Title IV of the WIA) is the primary federal/state program assisting individuals with disabilities – including individuals with the most severe disabilities – to secure employment.

WIA/VR and Goodwill: In 2007 alone, more than 180,000 people were referred to Goodwill Industries for employment services through the Workforce Investment Act and state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies.  Goodwill agencies operate one-stop centers to provide skills training, job placement and job retention services to people with disabilities, welfare recipients and other job seekers.  Many local Goodwill agencies are one-stop lead operators, or operators in association with other service providers, and are active on state and local workforce boards.  These workforce boards aim to offer guidance for training programs that will meet the requirements of local employers.