Representatives John Tierney (D-MA), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) and George Miller (D-CA) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The legislation, the Workforce Investment Act of 2012 seeks to streamline and improve workforce programs, strengthen workforce investment system accountability and promote innovation and best practices within the workforce investment system. The bill would take the following actions:

• Streamline and improve workforce services by streamlining and coordinating the operation of vocational and job training programs with educational programs.
• Improve accountability and transparency through performance measures and reporting across programs by using uniformed performance measures across various programs to inform employers and workers.
• Promote innovation and promising practices to spur innovation and new strategies in the workforce system.
• Expand the role of community colleges in job training through the Administration’s Community College to Career Fund, an initiative to expand the ability of community colleges to train workers in high-growth industries.
• Develop a 21st century delivery system for adult education literacy and workplace skills services through greater access to adult education, literacy services and workplace skills.
• Engage youth through multiple pathways to success for youth to participate in summer jobs and pre-apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training.
• Create competitive employment services and opportunities for individuals with a disability to receive training and support services needed for employment.