Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), states have the opportunity to reset their state workforce boards so they oversee the entire publicly-funded workforce system. This report from the National Governors Association provides a framework for high-performing boards. That framework includes three critical roles: set and communicate the vision for the workforce system, model and manage strategic partnerships that achieve that vision, and use data to hold the system accountable to that vision. The report also includes examples of how states have implemented each role.

The Innovation & Opportunity Network created these five illustrated customer scenarios to demonstrate how different types of customers would access services in a high-quality American Job Center. These scenarios are designed to help train staff on how to help five common types of customers find employment: individuals with disabilities, farmworkers, justice-involved individuals, and single mothers. Each scenario is fully illustrated and contains definitions and links to additional resources.

This searchable database of WIOA-related activities from the National Conference of State Legislatures includes legislation enacted in state legislatures during the 2015 session. Issues related to WIOA implementation include sector strategies, career pathways, adult education, career and job training, work-based learning, pay for performance initiatives, state plan issues, and general workforce legislation.

Newly released joint guidance provides direction for the implementation of operational requirements under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) pertaining to the one-stop delivery system. Under WIOA, workforce development, education, and human services partners are encouraged to provide streamlined and efficient career services for all customers through the American Job Center Network. This webinar was the first in a series of technical assistance resources being provided to the workforce system. Staff from the Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services provided a high level review of key components of the joint guidance to include: characteristics of the American Job Center Network and benefits of participating in the American Job Center Network. A review of upcoming one-stop technical assistance events was also provided during this event. The webinar was held on February 15, 2017, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET.

The Youth Summer Jobs Community of Practice from WorkforceGPS provides an online platform for workforce professionals, employers, and other stakeholders to learn and share information about summer employment experiences and opportunities. The website includes blog posts, discussions, and a resource library.

This brief, published in November 2015, is one of a series in the Heartland Alliance’s National Initiatives on Poverty and Economic Opportunity’s WIOA Planning and Implementation Toolkit. WIOA prioritizes services to older and out-of-school youth, as these youth will likely face additional barriers to employment and have different services needs as compared to younger and in-school youth. As TANF agencies consider their role in summer jobs programming and other opportunities for youth, this brief provides lessons learned around practical program design and recommendations for serving this priority population in the context of WIOA.

The Innovation and Opportunity Network from WorkforceGPS released new focus areas identified by the Employment and Training Administration. The 11 focus areas include: All About WIOA; Financial Grants Management; One-stops and American Job Centers; Performance Accountability; Services to Adult Job Seekers and Workers; Services to Businesses and Employers; Services to Youth; State and Local Governance; System Alignment; Target Populations and National Programs; and Wagner-Peyser Employment Services and Unemployment Insurance.

This brief from the Education Commission of the States examines how to increase coordination between community colleges and local workforce boards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It specifically discusses how states can utilize federal investments to improve these partnerships.

This website, created by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) program, consists of open source educational resources to train adults for occupations in 16 high-demand fields such as manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and information technology.