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National Association of State Workforce Agencies Announces 2018 Legislative Priorities

Media Contact

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

 

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON - The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) released its 2018 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.

“NASWA’s 2018 Legislative Priorities document represents a simple roadmap for Congress to achieve an even higher level of economic prosperity in the New Year through practical and affordable investment in workforce development,” said Scott B. Sanders, Executive Director of NASWA. “With the labor market tightening across the nation and skilled workers harder to find than ever before, it is crucial for Congress to invest in the public workforce system so employers have the human capital they need for continued success.”

NASWA’s 2018 Legislative Priorities include:

 ENSURE SUFFICIENT, FLEXIBLE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT

  • Provide No Less than FY 2017 Funding Levels for WIOA and Wagner-Peyser Workforce and Training Programs.
  • Maintain Investment for Governors’ Statewide Needs at 15%.
  • Increase Flexibility and Programmatic Alignment for Maximum Utilization of Investment

REFORM UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI)

  • 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.
  • Align Apprenticeships with Workforce Development and Invest No Less than $100 Million.

IMPROVE THE DISABLED VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAM (DVOP)

  • Expand Categories for Significant Barriers to Employment (SBE) to Allow DVOP Specialists to Improve Service to Veterans and Eligible Spouses.

ENSURE SUCCESSFUL WIOA IMPLEMENTATION

  • Promote the Successful Collaboration 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 2018 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.