Today, President Obama signed the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) into law. The legislation:

  • Updates and improves federal workforce development programs already in place;
  • Aids workers in attaining skills for 21st century jobs;
  • Provides supports to people with disabilities to enter and remain in competitive, integrated job settings;
  • Fosters the modern workforce on which American businesses rely to compete.

The enactment WIAO is critical to the CEO Council’s Talent priorities, which focus on aligning the needs of the business and higher education communities to facilitate continued economic growth.

The CEO Council and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce recently signed a joint letter with the National Metro Business Alliance to members of the U.S. House and Senate to outline support for the legislation.

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was first enacted in 1998 and expired in 2003. The CEO Council and the Chamber have long supported the reauthorization. The new agreement is a six-year bill.

You can read more coverage on this important legislation here:

http://time.com/3015682/obama-to-sign-bill-improving-worker-training/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/07/22/obama-job-training-bill/12987339/

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-07-22/obama-signs-bipartisan-job-training-legislation