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2017 Legislative Priorities

Media Contact

Michelle Marshel, Director, Communications & Events
Phone: (202) 999-0168 | Email: mmarshel@naswa.org

(Washington, DC) - The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) released its 2017 legislative priorities today. NASWA’s legislative priorities advance states’ efforts to ensure our nation’s workforce system meets employers’ needs for a qualified workforce and promote high-quality employment and careers for workers. The agenda is comprised of five main categories with 10 specific points for congressional action.

“With the focus on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) implementation, it is important to ensure Congress understands our appreciation for the new collaborative opportunities WIOA has provided the states,” said Scott B. Sanders, Executive Director of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, “Continued investment in the system and increased flexibility for states is critical toward helping employers and jobseekers prepare for the 21st century workforce,” he said.

Below are the association’s priorities:

ENSURE SUFFICIENT, FLEXIBLE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT

  • Provide no less than current investment levels for workforce and training programs. • Maintain investment for governor’s statewide needs at 15 percent.
  • Increase flexibility between funding streams to support coordination among federal/state programs. REFORM UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI)

SAFEGUARD VETERANS PROGRAMS

  • Maintain the vital role of veterans training programs in the workforce development system.

ENSURE SUCCESSFUL WIOA IMPLEMENTATION

  • Help states improve the integrity of the UI program. • Support UI programming.

EXPAND SUPPORT FOR REEMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND APPRENTICESHIPS

  • Invest in reemployment services programming at no less than $185 million. • Invest in apprenticeships at no less than $100 million.
  • Maintain the vital role of veterans training programs in the workforce development system
  • Promote the successful connection of education, vocational rehabilitation and human services programs to WIOA. • Eliminate impediments to real-time, integrated state data sharing.

For a complete rundown of NASWA’s agenda, visit 2017 Legislative Priorities.

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About the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (www.naswa.org): NASWA is the national organization representing all 50 state workforce agencies, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. These agencies deliver training, employment, career, business, and wage and hour services, in addition to administering unemployment insurance, veteran reemployment, and labor market information programs. NASWA provides policy expertise, shares promising state practices, and promotes state innovation and leadership in workforce development.