Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) in reintroducing the Lifelong Learning Act,which would provide states and Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) with budgetary flexibility to implement programming that responds directly to local employment needs. The bipartisan legislation would update the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to allocate additional resources to workforce training programs that address current talent shortages by upskilling existing employees and reconnecting individuals to the job market.
“In today’s labor market, practical knowledge and on-the-job training are essential, especially for workers who may have lost their jobs or who face some career uncertainty. Increasing funding flexibility for training programs and offering Workforce Development Boards more leeway is critical for modernizing the American workforce and closing the skills gap. I am proud to join Sen. Peters and Hickenlooper in this bipartisan effort that will help workers and employers alike keep our economy moving forward,” said Senator Budd.
“I’m proud to lead this commonsense legislation that would allow local workforce development leaders, who know their communities best, to implement the right strategies for strengthening their regional job markets. This bipartisan legislation empowers communities to respond to changing employment needs and connect more individuals to in-demand jobs,” said Senator Peters.
“If we want a workforce that can keep up with a changing economy, we have to give local communities the flexibility to adapt. This bill modernizes training programs and ensures investments go towards what actually works for Coloradans so they can succeed in the future,” said Senator Hickenlooper.
The Lifelong Learning Act is endorsed by Third Way and the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB).
BACKGROUND
The Lifelong Learning Act updates WIOA guidelines, allowing LWDBs to:
• Utilize up to 30 percent of their Adult and Dislocated Worker budget for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT), which helps employers equip current employees with in-demand skills that expand career opportunities and avert layoffs. IWT programs have been crucial in helping LWDBs respond to broad labor market issues, such as increased automation and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. WIOA currently limits LWDBs to investing no more than 20 percent of their budgets in IWT programs.
• Expand the allowable cap for transitional job training opportunities from 10 to 15 percent, allowing LWDBs to offer more programs aimed at recruiting individuals back into the labor force.
• Allow LWDBs to serve as the one-stop operators in local workforce areas to provide an integrated and coordinated system for the delivery of workforce development programs and services tailored to local needs. WIOA requires LWDBs to identify and select a one-stop operator through a competitive process, requiring approval of the Governor and chief elected officer.
###
