Bill Overview
Title: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and expands programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The bill also revises workforce investment, vocational rehabilitation, employment, training, and literacy programs for eligible individuals. For example, the bill increases workforce representation on state and local workforce investment boards from 20% to 30%; reworks one-stop center infrastructure funding by requiring costs to be covered by state allocations of WIOA funds; establishes subsidized youth employment programs that include work-readiness training and mentoring; allows states and localities to partner with educational institutions to address the skill needs for in-demand jobs; establishes grants to connect youth in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence with in-demand jobs; eliminates a requirement that the Department of Labor ensure that individuals participating in WIOA activities comply with Selective Service laws; modifies the allotment of youth workforce investment funds to states; requires Labor to prioritize providing access to certain services to girls and women and applications for assistance from minority-serving institutions; expands the Job Corps program, including by serving individuals in outlying areas and relaxing age requirements; establishes grants to expand training programs through industry or sector partnerships; expands grants for integrated English literacy and civics education to outlying areas; and expands Wagner-Peyser employment services to the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. The bill also provides statutory authority for Labor to award competitive grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to improve employment and training outcomes and reduce recidivism of justice-involved youth; and competitive grants for states to create workforce longitudinal administrative databases.
Sponsors: Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
Target Audience
Population: Eligible individuals for workforce development programs worldwide
Estimated Size: 8000000
- The WIOA 2022 modifies and expands existing workforce development programs impacting individuals seeking employment training.
- Programs are aimed at eligible individuals including unemployed, underemployed, low-income individuals, and out-of-school youth.
- The bill expands youth employment programs and the Job Corps, indicating a focus on younger individuals seeking job readiness and entry-level employment.
- The expansion of literacy and civics education programs targets individuals with limited English proficiency, including immigrants.
- The inclusion of justice-involved youth in training programs means this group will also be directly impacted.
- The global applicability indicates potential benefits for people in territories and areas with U.S. affiliations.
Reasoning
- Given the budget limitations, the impact is more pronounced on younger demographics, low-income individuals, and those seeking entry-level employment opportunities.
- The policy primarily advantages states' workforce systems by elevating workforce representation in planning and implementation.
- Expansion into outlying U.S. territories will enable greater service diversity, augmenting opportunities for residents in these areas.
- The subsidy for youth employment and ease of Job Corps entry suggests substantial benefits for younger individuals, particularly those from underserved backgrounds.
- Training programs for justice-involved individuals can facilitate reintegration and employment, potentially reducing recidivism.
- Integrated literacy and civics education expansion targets those with limited English proficiency, a demographic likely featuring immigrants.
- Service changes, like the increased workforce board representation, might have less direct impact on immediate individual well-being but enhance system responsiveness over time.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy can offer training in digital skills; it's hard to find affordable programs.
- Support from mentors or getting real-life work experience would be awesome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Construction worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm looking for programs that could help me move up or change my field entirely.
- The training at Job Corps sounds like a good opportunity for my kids when they're older.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
High school graduate (Houston, TX)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I really need a second chance to get a steady job and stay out of trouble.
- Programs for people like me with my background are essential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retail worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- English language classes would be helpful for my job and my child’s schooling.
- Hope these programs make education and job searching easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Freelance artist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need stable work that still allows creativity, sector partnerships might offer unique opportunities.
- Subsidized employment programs might open doors to new projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Manufacturing supervisor (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important for older workers to also have training opportunities to stay relevant in the workforce.
- Hoping the policy benefits my children entering the job market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 21 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any boost in employment programs can only be good as I'm about to join the workforce soon.
- Mentorships from the industry sector partnerships sound promising.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Unemployed (Denver, CO)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want opportunities to re-enter the workforce albeit at a slower pace or less demanding role.
- Programs seem youthful but administrators might need new skills too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
High school student (Honolulu, HI)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If training programs are available through local schools, that would greatly aid my future career path.
- It's exciting to hear about educational enhancements and tech focus.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Clerk (American Samoa)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Eager for job training that can lead to career advancement.
- Access to opportunities often feels limited here; these could be great.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $3000000000)
Year 2: $2600000000 (Low: $2100000000, High: $3100000000)
Year 3: $2700000000 (Low: $2200000000, High: $3200000000)
Year 5: $2900000000 (Low: $2400000000, High: $3400000000)
Year 10: $3200000000 (Low: $2700000000, High: $3700000000)
Year 100: $5000000000 (Low: $4500000000, High: $5500000000)
Key Considerations
- Program expansions require significant initial investments that might face political and logistical challenges.
- Long-term success hinges on effective implementation and execution at the state and local levels.
- Variable program efficacy could lead to disparate outcomes across different localities.