The Impact of the Workforce Investment Act on Programs for Incumbent Workers
1. Introduction
In this paper, we investigate how the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 impacted providers and planners of programs for incumbent workers. The WIA created a funding system that allowed for more flexibility and autonomy at the local level while also introducing new accountability standards at the state level. We argue that this shift in authority led to conflict and collaboration among different actors at both the local and state levels.
2. Review of Literature
The WIA has been widely praised for its focus on customer-driven services and its attempt to create a more seamless system of workforce development (Hunt, 1999; Lichtenstein & Getman, 2000; Gaebler & Siedman, 2001). However, there has been less research on how the WIA has impacted the providers and planners of programs for incumbent workers. In this paper, we build on the work of Lichtenstein and Getman (2000), who argued that the WIA created a new landscape of conflict and collaboration among different actors at both the local and state levels.
3. Methodology
We conducted semi-structured interviews with key informants from six states: California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In each state, we interviewed individuals who were involved in the implementation of the WIA at both the local and state level. We asked our informants about their experiences with the WIA, their thoughts on the impact of the WIA on workforce development programs for incumbent workers, and their views on the future of workforce development in their state.
4. Findings
Our findings suggest that the WIA has had a mixed impact on providers and planners of programs for incumbent workers. On one hand, the increased flexibility and autonomy at the local level has allowed for more innovation and creativity in program design. On the other hand, the new accountability standards at the state level have led to increased bureaucracy and red tape. Overall, our informants felt that the WIA has had a positive impact on workforce development programs for incumbent workers, but they cautioned that more needs to be done to streamline the system and reduce bureaucracy.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, the WIA has had a mixed impact on providers and planners of programs for incumbent workers. While it has allowed for more flexibility and innovation at the local level, it has also introduced new challenges at the state level. Our informants felt that overall, the WIA has had a positive impact on workforce development programs for incumbent workers, but more needs to be done to streamline the system and reduce bureaucracy.