Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a law authorizing federal funding for workforce development activities. It is the foundation of our workforce development initiatives and job-training programs for adults and youth.

Overview

WIOA gives government, nonprofit, education, and industry partners greater flexibility to work together. The result is career training programs that give workers the skills they need to get good jobs at family-sustaining wages and give employers the qualified workers they need to stay competitive.

U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Fact Sheet

2026 WIOA Waiver Request - GWDB Membership Requirements

WIOA Waiver Request Draft - State Workforce Development Board Membership Requirements (PDF)

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) allows states to request waivers from certain statutory and regulatory requirements to improve the delivery of services to job seekers and employers. Pursuant to WIOA Section 189(i)(3)(A) and Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 05-25, the Minnesota Governor's Workforce Development Board (GWDB), in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), is requesting a waiver from the federal "unique representation" requirement under regulatory language related to WIOA Section 101(b)(1)(C) and 20 CFR 679.110(b)–(c) for Program Years 2026 and 2027 (through June 30, 2028).

The waiver requests flexibility to allow the Governor-appointed DEED Commissioner — the lead state official with primary responsibility for all WIOA core programs, including Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation — to satisfy the representation requirement for Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and State Services for the Blind (SSB) on the GWDB, rather than requiring a separate, additional staff member for those programs.

Public Comment

The draft waiver is now open for a 30-day public comment period, closing on Tuesday, June 17, 2026.

To submit comment, email State.Plan.WIOA@state.mn.us. Comments received during the comment period will be reviewed and, where appropriate, incorporated into the final request prior to submission.