Article by Kevin Bauman and Cody Christensen in the September 11, 2018 issue of American Enterprise Institute

You can read the entire report by clicking here.

Key Points

• The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the primary federal legislation that authorizes many training and workforce development services. These services help train job seekers with skills, but administrative hurdles limit its effectiveness.
• Congress allocates roughly $4.8 billion for WIOA programs that serve six million participants. While smaller than other postsecondary aid programs, job seekers can combine WIOA funding with other state and federal aid to pay for training—although relatively few individuals navigate eligibility requirements needed to do so.
• Additionally, few WIOA participants receive and use funding for actual training services. Policymakers and WIOA caseworkers should prioritize training and simplify reporting
• requirements to encourage a healthy marketplace of WIOA-eligible training providers.