Skip Top Navigation
Texas Workforce home |  site index  |  about us  |  contact information 
Navigational Tabs Businesses and Employers Home Page Job Seekers and Employees Home Page Service Providers Home Page Boards and Network Partners Home Page Researchers and Policy Makers Home Page
         

PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing.

Workforce Investment Act Information

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) reformed federal employment, training, adult education, and vocational rehabilitation programs by creating an integrated "one-stop" system of workforce investment and education services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth.

The Texas workforce system comprises 28 local workforce development areas (workforce areas). Each workforce area utilizes a network of over 280 Texas Workforce Centers and satellite offices statewide to provide services to employers and job seekers.

bullet dot   The Workforce Investment Act (Public Law 105-220)

The full text of the Workforce Investment Act, signed into law on August 7, 1998 by President Clinton.

bullet dot   WIA Title I Final Rule

Downloads available -- cover letter and comments on the WIA Final Rule submitted by the Texas Workforce Commission to the United States Department of Labor July 14, 1999.


State Workforce Investment Plan Approval Letter

bullet dot   The US Department of Labor has approved Texas’ WIA State Plan. 
**Approval of the WIA waivers is still pending.

State Workforce Investment Plan

bullet dot   Strategic State Plan for Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Wagner Peyser Act for the period July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2010


Waivers

WIA provides authority for the Secretary of Labor to waive statutory and regulatory requirements of the Act and the Wagner Peyser Act. The Texas Workforce Commission (Commission) has sought and received waivers from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) regarding certain WIA requirements. The intent of the waivers is to provide local workforce development boards and the state of Texas the greatest flexibility possible to design and deliver services that meet the needs of employers and job seekers.

   Complete List of Approved Waivers
   Guidelines for Implementing Workforce Investment Act Waivers (PDF)


Texas WIA Eligibility Guidelines

The Guidelines for Determining Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Eligibility ("WIA Eligibility Guidelines") contain policies and procedures for completing WIA eligibility for customers. This copy of the WIA Eligibility Guidelines was released with WD Letter 32-03, Change 2.

bullet dot   WIA Eligibility Guidelines (PDF)

In addition, following are links to the WIA Eligibility Guidelines Desk References, which will be updated online, as needed:


WIA Questions and Answers

bullet dot   Questions and Answers about the Workforce Investment Act


Workforce Investment Act: Program Year Reports

bullet dot    Workforce Investment Act: Program Year 2007 Annual Report (PDF: 2 MB)

bullet dot    Workforce Investment Act: Program Year 2006 Annual Report (PDF: 6.1 MB)

bullet dot    Workforce Investment Act: Program Year 2005 Annual Report (PDF: 7.4 MB)


Local Workforce Development Board
Planning Guidelines

bullet dot   Local Workforce Development Board Planning Guidelines


Statewide List of Certified Training Providers

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 requires training providers to apply for certification to receive WIA funds and to be included on the Statewide List of Certified Training Providers. General information and instructions for accessing the Statewide List of Certified Training Providers are provided here.

bullet dot   Statewide List of Certified Training Providers


Youth Activities Provider List

Under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) identify providers of youth activities by awarding grants/contracts on a competitive basis and based on the recommendations of the LWDB's Youth Council. The statewide directory of youth providers is arranged by Local Workforce Development Areas (LWDAs) and will be updated on a regular basis to include additional providers as information becomes available.

bullet dot   Youth Activities Provider List: Excel or PDF


Data Validation Resource Document

To ensure that data validation requirements fit Texas’ needs and can be successfully implemented by Boards, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has devised the Data Element Review, which outlines the minimum source document requirements for validating required elements.

bullet dot   Data Element Review: Word or PDF


WIA Resource Documents

The following are links to important documentation related to the Workforce Investment Act.

bullet dot   House-Senate Conference Report on H.R. 1385 (1.1 MB)

House Report 105-659 contains the language of the new law as well as the explanatory statement of the joint House-Senate conference committee.

bullet dot   H.B. 1863 (74th Texas Legislature)

In its passage of House Bill (HB) 1863, the 74th Texas Legislature positioned Texas to become a leader in the nation's effort to implement a new workforce investment system.


WIA Related Web Sites

The following web sites have information related to the Workforce Investment Act.

bullet dot    United States Department of Labor

bullet dot    Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies

bullet dot    National Governor's Association (NGA)


Grandfather Provisions and Texas

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison delivered a colloquy that applauded the United States Congress for their recognition of the approach the Texas Legislature took in restructuring its workforce system.

bullet dot    Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison's Colloquy

Sections 111, 117, 189 and 194 of the Act describe the major grandfather provisions addressed in the Workforce Investment Act.

bullet dot    Grandfather Provisions Work for Texas


Last Revision: October 20, 2009