Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Give States Flexibility to Respond to Local Workforce Needs

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would provide states and Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) with budgetary flexibility to implement programming that responds directly to local employment needs. Peters' Lifelong Learning Act would update the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to allocate additional resources to workforce training programs that address current talent shortages by upskilling existing employees and reconnecting individuals to the job market. Currently, WOIA provides federal funding to LWDBs, but the amount of funding that can be utilized for specific programs is limited.

"I'm proud to lead this commonsense legislation that would allow local workforce development leaders, who know their communities best, to implement the right strategies for strengthening their regional job markets," said Senator Peters."This bipartisan legislation empowers communities to respond to changing employment needs and connect more individuals to in-demand jobs."

The Lifelong Learning Act updates WIOA guidelines, allowing LWDBs to:

• Utilize up to 30 percent of their Adult and Dislocated Worker budget for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT), which helps employers equip current employees with in-demand skills that expand career opportunities and avert layoffs. IWT programs have been crucial in helping LWDBs respond to broad labor market issues, such as increased automation and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. WIOA currently limits LWDBs from investing more than 20 percent of its budget for IWT programs.

• Expand the allowable cap for transitional job training opportunities from 10 to 15 percent, allowing LWDBs to offer more programs aimed at recruiting individuals back into the labor force. This includes programs for justice-involved individuals, young adults transitioning out of foster care, and those who have inconsistent work histories.

• Allow LWDBs to serve as the one-stop operators in local workforce areas to provide an integrated and coordinated system for delivery of workforce development programs and services tailored to local needs. WIOA includes a requirement that LWDBs identify and select a one-stop operator via a competitive process.

Peters reintroduced this bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO). The legislation is endorsed by the Michigan Works! Association, Third Way, and the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). Below are statements in support of the legislation:

"By providing states with additional tools to tailor workforce programs, the Lifelong Learning Act will empower Michigan Works! Agencies to better connect job seekers with quality training, support employers facing persistent talent shortages, and build a more resilient economy for communities across our state," said Ryan Hundt, Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Works! Association.

"We applaud Sen. Peters for recognizing that local workforce boards need the flexibility to respond to rapidly evolving labor market conditions," said Andrew Bercich, CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). "A strong public workforce system depends on empowering employers and communities to work together to meet talent needs and expand pathways that connect jobseekers to in demand careers. NAWB is proud to endorse this important legislation."

"Local workforce boards understand what workers and employers across their communities need to thrive-knowledge that is essential for adaptation in our rapidly changing economy," said Gabe Horwitz, Senior Vice President of the Economic Program at Third Way. "The Lifelong Learning Act will ensure local workforce boards are equipped with the flexibility and tools they need to help businesses grow and workers succeed. We applaud Senator Peters and Senator Budd for their commitment to making our workforce development system reflect the needs of regional economies across the country."

Peters has led numerous efforts to expand access to skills training opportunities and help more Michiganders secure in-demand, good-paying jobs. In 2023, he introduced legislation to strengthen reentry initiatives that prepare individuals for employment and connects them with workforce training initiatives. He previously helped enact bipartisan legislation that included provisions he authored to expand access to career and technical education (CTE) opportunities outside of the traditional four-year degree career pathway. Peters introduced bipartisan legislation that was signed into law to allow more veterans to use their GI bill benefits toward securing a registered apprenticeship.

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