The document summarizes the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and its implementation in Illinois. It discusses how WIOA aims to align workforce, education, and economic development systems to better serve employers and job seekers. It also outlines how the Illinois workforce system, led by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, has transformed over the last decade through regional partnerships and sector strategies. Key elements of Illinois' implementation include its network of 102 Illinois workNet Centers that provide access to services and its web portal system that connects partners, programs, and resources.

1. Illinois Workforce System and the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (WIOA)
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Office of Employment & Training
November 14, 2014
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Illinois workNet® is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity.

2. WIOA Background
• President Obama signed WIOA into law on July 22, 2014.
• Passed by Congress with wide bipartisan majority (the Senate voted 93-5
and the House of Representatives voted 415-6).
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Re-affirms ongoing role of the
one-stop system.
Promotes program coordination
and alignment of key
employment, education, and
training programs at the Federal,
state, local and regional levels.
Builds on proven practices such
as sector strategies, career
pathways, regional economic
approaches, and work-based
training.

3. WIOA Overview Continued
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Aligns workforce, education, and economic development systems.
Requires alignment of workforce programs to support employers and job seekers.
Targets investments to meet the needs of regional economies tied to labor market information.
Improves services to employers and promotes earn and learn training to address skills gaps.
Informs customers about training program performance to help make better decisions.
Streamlines and strengthens the strategic roles of workforce development boards.
Simplifies eligibility for youth by including those who receive free and reduced lunch.

4. Illinois Workforce System
• A Decade of Business Led Solutions
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
has facilitated the transformation of the workforce system over the
last decade.
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• Created regional economic development
initiatives.
• Developed public-private partnerships through
businesses and industry associations.
• Initiated sector strategies and work-based
training.
• Innovated strategies such as employer-based
training using local formula dollars to provide
flexibility in the delivery of training services.
Linked
workforce,
economic
development,
and education
initiatives.

5. Today
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Critical Skills Shortage Initiative - Regional sector strategy.
IWIB convenes Health Care, Manufacturing and TDL industry taskforce groups.
disabilityworks connects employers and individuals with disabilities.
Microsoft partnership - 40,000 free online courses and certification exams provided.
IWIB convenes Agriculture and IT industry, and veterans support taskforce groups.
ARRA work-based learning program for youth continues over three summers.
Adult Education Bridge Programs expand to combine basic skills and job skill training.
ATIM (Accelerated Training for Illinois Manufacturing) provides training, work-
based learning, and credentials.
Illinois Community Colleges expand demand-driven skills training with employer partnerships.
State youth and community work-based learning continues over two years.
Job-driven NEG - training, work-based learning, and credentials for
high-demand IT occupations.
Economic Development, Education, and
Workforce Programs and Partnerships
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Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) – Increases access to WIA services.
Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) focuses on career pathways for young adults.
Sector Strategies expand to Illinois Pathways/STEM Learning Exchanges.
IWIB convened an employer-based task force to focus on employment
of people with disabilities.
IWIB Re-convened health care task force as part of Affordable Care Act
and addressing skill shortages.
Employer-based training begins as Incumbent Worker Training.
Illinois workNet Centers branding begins to increase access to the workforce system.
Support Illinois Community College Board strategic plan consistent with
Illinois’ 2014 Economic development plan.
Participated in the development of the Illinois 2014 Economic Development Plan.

6. Illinois workNet Center®
and Affiliates Map
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• WIOA services are available in 102
counties:
• 28 comprehensives
• 74 affiliates
• There is 2.5 times greater coverage with
Illinois workNet Center facilities than
required by WIOA.
• Beyond WIOA-funded services, a
network of community partners further
increases access.

7. Resourcesand
Support Services
Career
Pathways
Job matching
and placement
Illinois workNet Statewide System
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Employers and
Work-Based
Learning
Planning and
Preparation
Academic,
Technical,
and Soft Skill
Training
Advisors and
Case Managers
Statewide system of Illinois workNet Centers (comprehensive one stops),
state services, schools, community partners, and employers, all connected via
the Illinois workNet Web Portal System.

8. Illinois workNet Web Portal System:
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Illinois workNet benefits include:
• Direct access to core partner and special
programs.
• Resources and tools for individuals and
employers, beginning with career
exploration to adult career transition.
• Personalization through My Dashboard.
• Customer engagement and program
facilitation tools for workforce and
education partners.
• Integration with states workforce reporting
system, IWDS.
• Source for information and tool with
jobPrep mobile app.

9. Learn More About How
WIOA Works for Illinois
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http://www.illinoisworknet.com/wioa
• Programs and
Partnerships
• Networking
• Successes
• Resources
• News
• Implementation