Workforce Innovation and Opportunity act (WIOA)
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federal law that provides an opportunity to collaborate with partners in Utah's economy, including business, labor, education, and government. The vision of WIOA is to achieve and maintain an integrated, job-driven workforce system that links our diverse, talented workforce to U.S. businesses and improves the quality of life for our citizens.
Goals
- Increase access to education, training and employment, particularly for vulnerable populations and people with barriers to employment
- Create a comprehensive, high-quality workforce by aligning workforce investment, education and economic development
- Improve the quality and labor-market relevance of workforce investment, education and economic development efforts
- Promote improvements in the structure and delivery of services
- Increase the prosperity of workers and employers
- Reduce welfare dependency, increase economic self-sufficiency, meet employer needs and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation
Utah's One-Stop Centers (American Job Centers)
WIOA requires that states each have at least one “comprehensive one-stop center” that provides physical access to all the area’s employment-related services. Utah has 12 comprehensive centers and 19 affiliate centers statewide, with a major focus on the referral process and cross-training employees — ensuring that everyone working at the center and partner agencies understands the breadth of services available and can connect customers to them.
The centers support job seekers and workers with the high-quality career services, education and training and supportive services they need to get good jobs and stay employed, and to help businesses find skilled workers and access other support including education and training for their current workforce. To find a center near you, click here.
Career and Education Assistance
Career and Education Assistance is available through Utah’s network of comprehensive and affiliate one-stop centers (AJCs). This program serves as a resource for job seekers and employers, with an emphasis on supporting career advancement, long-term job retention, and workforce alignment.
This assistance is designed to help eligible individuals navigate the requirements of the modern labor market by providing a bridge to further education, specialized training, or new career pathways. Support is primarily available to:
- Adults: Adults seeking to increase self-sufficiency through skills development.
- Dislocated Workers: Individuals who have been separated from employment due to layoffs or economic shifts.
- Youth (Ages 14-24): Eligible young adults seeking to develop foundational skills and connect to educational and employment opportunities
Business Services
Business Services are integrated into the operations of all comprehensive and affiliate one-stop centers throughout Utah. This function serves as a strategic link between the workforce system and the private sector, ensuring that employment and training activities are directly informed by industry demand. The WIOA partner network collaborates with Utah businesses to provide data-driven resources and customized support.
Adult Education Services
Adult Education empowers out-of-school individuals ages 16 and above to become self-sufficient, by gaining the skills necessary for postsecondary education and training employment and personal success. Adult Education assists adults in obtaining the knowledge and skills needed for success in college, employment and self-sufficiency while completing a secondary education and basic literacy instruction. Adult Education is a program of instruction below the collegiate level for adults and is comprised of Adult High School Completion, Adult Basic Education, English Language Acquisition, and GED® preparation.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
The mission of Vocational Rehabilitation is to assist individuals with disabilities to prepare for, obtain or maintain employment and achieve independence.