NEFI has joined the Jobs and Careers Coalition (JCC) in urging the House Education and Workforce Committee to advance A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 (H.R. 8210), legislation to reauthorize and reform the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

In its letter to Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), the coalition called the bill "an especially important step which is innovative and attentive to employer needs and the changing American economy." H.R. 8210 largely mirrors the previous Congress's bipartisan WIOA reauthorization bill (H.R. 6655), with the addition of a transfer of adult education and literacy functions from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor.

Key provisions include a requirement that 50 percent of funds allocated to local workforce areas be spent on skills development rather than administration, a new industry partnership development fund to incentivize employer engagement through competitive state grants, a critical industries skills fund to help states keep pace with AI and automation, expanded incumbent-worker training, and tougher outcome-based standards for training providers.

"We see H.R. 8210 as the beginning, not the end, of the change that's needed to ensure that all Americans, whatever their age and education level, have access to quality career-connected education and training," the coalition wrote.

The coalition noted that the transfer-of-functions provision has drawn opposition from some committee members and urged that the debate be dealt with separately so that the broader bipartisan reforms can move forward.

For more information contact NEFI Manager of Government Affairs Liam Dotson at liam.dotson@nefi.com.

Click Here to Read the JCC Letter