The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 replaced previous federal job training laws and established a new workforce development system. It aimed to fund career pathways and encourage business participation in workforce services. The Act created a cooperative federalism model where the federal government sets rules and states regulate programs. It was administered by the Department of Labor and required states to establish workforce boards to oversee local implementation. While initially controversial during passage, the Act has generally been effective with little controversy and was reauthorized in 2013.