Urge Your Senators to Support the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

SHRM asks that you contact both of your U.S. senators and urge them to advance legislation that would reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

WIOA is the foundation of workforce development investments at the federal level. It emphasizes collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including federal, state and local governments as well as community colleges, workforce boards and private employers, to improve the effectiveness of workforce development efforts and promote economic growth.

Reauthorizing WIOA will strengthen employer engagement and ensure workers remain competitive in the evolving job market by fostering partnerships between workforce development agencies and businesses.

Bipartisan support continues to grow in Congress for WIOA reauthorization. On June 12, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on this important workplace issue, demonstrating that senators are actively seeking solutions to address workforce development challenges. This follows the passage of SHRM-supported H.R. 6655, a Stronger Workforce for America Act by the U.S. House of Representatives in April.

By leveraging your expertise in talent management and development, you can be a crucial advocate for WIOA reauthorization, which is key to building a competitive, skills-based workforce.

Employers and the government must work together to develop a skilled, productive, and inclusive workforce to compete and succeed in the modern global economy. WIOA reauthorization is a crucial step to addressing workforce shortages and will help both HR professionals and workers facilitate skills-based hiring and support employer-led upskilling efforts.

Stay tuned for more updates on this critical workplace issue.