WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) today unveiled the Workforce Investment Improvement Act (H.R. 2295), a bill to strengthen job training opportunities for workers and job seekers. This legislation renews workforce development programs under the Workforce Investment Act, a law that has not been reauthorized by Congress since 1998.
“The Workforce Investment Improvement Act is fundamental to aiding in job creation and retention as it addresses the needs of the employer and the employee by seeking to adequately prepare job-seekers with the skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing job market,” said McKeon.
“Having over 14 million Americans currently unemployed and nearly 12% California unemployment has America in an extremely vulnerable position, which is why I consider the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act to be so pressing. I view it as an integral step to rebuilding our economy, getting the American people back to work, and helpingsmall businesses grow.
“The bill focuses on a results-oriented job training system that can effectively serve job seekers and workers in need of retraining and builds on Republican reforms to strengthen and improve pvrograms and services under WIA, with the concurrent goals of putting Americans back to work and making the United States more competitive in the 21st century.
“The key goal of the new reauthorization bill will be to ensure the nation’s workforce development system is resourced to respond quickly and effectively to the changing needs of job seekers and those in need of training through modernizing America’s job training infrastructure,” McKeon continued.
The Workforce Investment Improvement Act aims to strengthen job training opportunities by eliminating duplication, enhancing the role of employers, improving accountability, and increasing state and local flexibility to better serve our nation’s workers. Together, these reforms will ensure the nation’s workforce development system can respond quickly and effectively to the changing needs of job seekers and those in need of training.
For more information, please visit www.McKeon.House.Gov.