A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8210
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-21: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 14.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T08:06:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 (H.R. 8210)
Purpose
Reauthorizes and reforms the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to create a more effective, accountable workforce system. Emphasizes evidence-based training, skills development (including digital and AI literacy), performance incentives, and alignment with employer needs to boost employment, earnings, and economic mobility, especially for youth, adults with barriers to employment, and dislocated workers.
Key Provisions
- Updated Purposes and Definitions (Secs. 101-102): Expands WIOA goals to include global competitiveness, foundational skills (e.g., 8th-grade reading/math or digital literacy), employer-directed skills (with employer cost-sharing), talent marketplaces (digital platforms matching skills to jobs), and work-based learning.
- System Alignment (Subtitle B):
- State/local boards and plans must use real-time labor data, prioritize evidence-based programs, promote skills-based hiring, and analyze out-of-school youth needs.
- Local area redesignations with review cycles, incentives for consolidation, and appeals.
- Performance Accountability (Sec. 119): Revises indicators (e.g., employment retention to 4th quarter post-exit, credential attainment), introduces negotiation process for levels, standardized reporting, sanctions (fund reductions), and reallotments to high performers.
- Workforce Investment (Subtitle C):
- One-stop centers: Flexible virtual/physical access, updated partners, infrastructure funding caps.
- Eligible providers (Sec. 122): Overhauled list with performance criteria (e.g., credential rate, job placement, earnings), automatic inclusion for apprenticeships, WIL designation for top performers, pay-for-performance incentives.
- Youth (Sec. 132): 70% out-of-school priority, 40% work experiences (12.5% apprenticeships), paid internships.
- Adults/dislocated (Sec. 143): 50% minimum for training, new funds (critical skills, sector partnerships), employer-directed skills.
- Job Corps (Subtitle D): "Campuses" (not centers), age to 24, performance/safety standards, operator flexibility.
- National Programs (Subtitle E): Reentry grants, youth apprenticeships, community college grants; updated Native American/migrant programs.
- Adult Education Transfer (Title II): Moves to DOL, adds digital/AI literacy, performance alignment.
- Other: Wagner-Peyser updates, H-1B training grants, data interoperability report.
Authorizations (through FY2032): Youth $948M, adults $876M, dislocated $1.33B, Job Corps $1.76B, adult ed $729M, nationals variably.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Eligible Training Providers List (ETPL): Strict performance criteria (e.g., credential/job placement/earnings ratios); revocation for failures; multistate/online provisions; excludes OJT but tracks performance.
- Performance Measures: Shorter employment tracking (2nd/4th quarters), new metrics (e.g., training participation, work experience completion), counterproposals, sanctions/reallotments.
- Local Areas: Phased redesignations, regional consortia, single-state options for small states.
- Youth: Reduced out-of-school priority (75%→70%), work experience mandate (40%), paid internships, ITAs for 16-21.
- Funding/Activities: New statewide funds (critical skills, sector partnerships), incumbent upskilling accounts, 50% training minimum.
- Job Corps: Safety/performance standards, 3-year contracts, closure/restructuring for failures, state operation option.
- Adult Ed: DOL transfer, integrated training emphasis, performance under WIOA Sec. 116.
- Waivers/Pilots: "Make America Skilled Again" consolidated grants with evaluations.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: DOL gains adult ed oversight; states/locals face redesigns, stricter ETPL/performance rules (possible fund shifts/sanctions); data interoperability improves accountability.
- Citizens: Better job matches via skills focus/talent marketplaces; more training access (e.g., ITAs, apprenticeships); priority for underserved (barriers, youth, reentry); potential higher earnings/completion via evidence-based reforms.
- International Relations: None direct; global competitiveness via skilled workforce.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Jobseekers: Youth/out-of-school (work experiences), adults/dislocated (training priority), barriers (e.g., low skills, offenders, English learners), incumbents (upskilling).
- Employers: Benefit from employer-directed training, skills-based hiring, sector partnerships.
- Providers/Educators: Community colleges, ETPL applicants (stricter criteria), adult ed (DOL shift).
- States/Locals: Boards/plans updated; redesignations, performance sanctions/incentives.
- Special Groups: Job Corps enrollees (safety/reforms), Native Americans/migrants (reauth), reentry (new grants).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Accountability/Sanctions: Performance-based funding shifts (reductions/reallotments) enforce outcomes; judicial review preserved.
- Federalism: State/local flexibility (waivers, redesigns, pilots) balanced by federal performance standards.
- Equity: Priority service for veterans/low-income; data privacy protections; no new entitlements.
- Innovation: Pilots/waivers test reforms; evaluations required for evidence.
- No Political Bias: Neutral reauthorization with fiscal controls (e.g., admin caps, matching).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-21: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 14.
- 2026-04-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-04-06: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-06: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-06: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-06 — PDF (507 pages)