Rep. Lee Votes to Pass Workforce Bill that Includes Her Community-Based Workforce Development Act

May 17, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Lee voted to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 (WIOA), which includes Rep. Lee's Community-Based Workforce Development Act. Rep. Lee's bill would authorize a new federal grant program to assist state and local workforce systems with establishing sector-based partnerships that bring employers, educators, and workers together to train workers for in-demand jobs.

"As we continue to rebuild from this pandemic, we must stay laser-focused on diversifying our economy. That's why I introduced the Community-Based Workforce Development Act," said Rep. Susie Lee. "Today, the House voted to pass my bill as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022. This legislation is the backbone of our nation's workforce development system, and now it will be even stronger, thanks to the inclusion of my bill that will bring together workers, educators, and employers to create training programs to prepare workers for good-paying jobs available in our communities."

WIOA provides training and career services that help working people across the country get the skills they need and help employers secure a qualified workforce. WIOA includes funding for job training for adults, dislocated workers, and youth as well as supportive services to help participants complete training and join the workforce.

Specifically, the legislation:

Fully funds WIOA programs by authorizing roughly $80 billion over six years, which will allow the workforce system to train one million workers per year by 2028;
Establishes a permanent Department of Labor program to help individuals released from incarceration transition back to employment and access sustainable career pathways;
Expands summer and year-round jobs programs for youth;
Strengthens the quality of the Job Corps program;
Codifies partnerships between employers and community colleges to provide high-quality job training;
Strengthens industry and sector partnerships to better meet the needs of both employers and job seekers; and
Provides funding for innovative approaches to workforce development.

The legislation will authorize the following total amounts for workforce development activities from FY23 through FY28:

$19.2 billion for dislocated worker employment and training activities.
$12 billion for adult employment and training activities.
$11.9 billion for the Job Corps program.
$7.9 billion for youth workforce investment activities.
$7.7 billion for a new sector-based employment program.
$7.1 billion for a new summer and year-round employment program for youth.
$5.3 billion for adult education and literacy programs.
$2.3 billion for reentry employment opportunities for "justice-involved" adult and youth.
$1.1 billion for the YouthBuild program.

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Issues: Economy, Jobs, & Small Businesses