On July 22, 2014 President Barack Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) into law. WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed the Act by a wide bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform in 15 years of the public workforce system. Title II of WIOA provides funding for adult education through the Ault Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA).
Maine Adult Education has begun transitioning from programs and services guided by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to WIOA. A collection of resources are available that explore the impact of the law and the steps that the state office and local programs must take to be in full compliance.