Moving in the Right Direction

The House Education and the Workforce Committee is currently considering comprehensive reforms to the nation’s workforce development system. The Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012 (H.R. 4297) advances commonsense changes to federal job training assistance by eliminating dozens of ineffective and redundant programs, strengthening the role of employers, promoting new tools that will help close the skills gap, and delivering real accountability over the use of taxpayer dollars.

Opponents of reform are turning to the usual false rhetoric to justify a “no” vote on legislation that will help put Americans back to work. The following facts will help set the record straight.

MYTH: The Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012 prevents key leaders from participating in the workforce development system. 

FACT: H.R. 4297 strengthens the effectiveness of workforce investment boards – responsible for policy and oversight at the state and local levels – to ensure they can quickly respond to the changing needs of local communities. 

FACT: Unfortunately, 19 federal mandates dictating the size and representation of the boards have left many mired in bureaucracy. We cannot double-down on failed federal policies that cripple state and local decision-making. 

FACT: The Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012 strengthens the role of America’s job creators in workforce training – requiring a two-thirds majority for employer representation on the workforce investment boards. 

FACT: H.R. 4297 empowers state and local leaders to determine the remaining members of the board. If local leaders believe union officials, community college leaders, or representatives for seniors and disabled workers best represent the local workforce, they can appoint these leaders to the board. 

FACT: The Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012 does not prohibit any interest group from serving on the board; instead, H.R. 4297 grants state and local leaders the authority to create an investment board that can best address the needs of the workforce.

To learn more about the Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012, click here. Part I and Part II of this series are also available here.

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