Washington, DC— Today, the House of representatives passed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 (WIOA) to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act with the support of Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04). The bill passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 220-196 and provides approximately $80 billion in funding for workforce development over the next six years.
“Connecticut is leading the nation in innovation and job opportunities,” said Himes. “We need to ensure that our workers have the skills, training and education necessary to take advantage of those opportunities in high-wage, growth-oriented fields. WIOA is the foundation of our nation’s workforce development and provides job training and resources for workers to maintain a competitive advantage and build a better life for them and their families.”
“The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides access to the training, education, and employment services that all of America’s workers need to prepare for and fill 21st-Century jobs,” said Joseph Carbone, President and CEO of The WorkPlace, the workforce development board for Southwestern Connecticut. “Giving workers the skills they need and employers the workforce they require is of critical importance as we experience a labor shortage with more open positions than workers prepared to fill them. I applaud the efforts of Connecticut’s delegation including Representatives Himes and DeLauro along with Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for their perseverance and commitment to updating this critical law.”
The bill will:
- Fund the training of an additional one million workers each year for six years
- Expand youth training and education programs
- Support Job Corps, the largest free residential education and job training program for young adults ages 16–24
- Strengthen public private partnerships
- Work to enhance the bonds between colleges and employers
- Promote innovative approaches to worker training and development
- Ease the transition for formerly incarcerated people into the workforce
“Our future economy will only be as strong as the investments we make today,” continued Himes. “Passing WIOA is an integral part of securing that future and supporting Southwest Connecticut families.”
A link to the section by section of the bill can be found here. With any questions or comments, please contact Patrick Malone at Patrick.malone@mail.house.gov.
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