WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Gary Peters, and Ted Budd reintroduced the Lifelong Learning Act, which would give states and Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) more flexibility to address local workforce needs. The bill would update the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to direct additional resources toward training programs that equip workers with new skills and reconnect people to the job market. Currently, WIOA funding limits how much LWDBs can spend on specific programs.
“If we want a workforce that can keep up with a changing economy, we have to give local communities the flexibility to adapt,” said Hickenlooper. “This bill modernizes training programs and ensures investments go towards what actually works for Coloradans so they can succeed in the future.”
“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,” said Peters. “This bipartisan legislation empowers communities to respond to changing employment needs and connect more individuals to in-demand jobs.”
“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 Budd.
The bill updates WIOA guidelines, allowing LWDBs to:
- Increase the cap on Adult and Dislocated Worker funds for Incumbent Worker Training from 20% to 30%, supporting worker upskilling and layoff prevention amid challenges like automation and COVID-19.
- Expand the allowable cap for transitional job training opportunities from 10% to 15% allowing LWDBs to offer more programs aimed at recruiting individuals back into the labor force. This includes programs for justice-involved individuals, young adults transitioning out of foster care, and those who have inconsistent work histories.
- Allow LWDBs to serve as the one-stop operators in local workforce areas to provide an integrated and coordinated system for delivery of workforce development programs and services tailored to local needs.
“A strong public workforce system depends on empowering employers and communities to work together to meet talent needs and expand pathways that connect jobseekers to in‑demand careers. NAWB is proud to endorse this important legislation.” said Andrew Bercich, CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB).
Hickenlooper chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, where he has championed apprenticeship and workforce development opportunities. As governor, he jumpstarted CareerWise Colorado, a nonprofit designed to create statewide apprenticeship opportunities to prepare students for high-paying, competitive jobs at Colorado companies. He recently helped pass his Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act out of the Senate, which would expand access to job counseling services for Gold Star and surviving spouses.
Full text of the legislation is available HERE.
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