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 State Plan Modification

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires the Governor to submit a State Plan every four years to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Department of Education (ED). This plan outlines the One Minnesota vision and goals for our state’s workforce development activities for federal program years 2024-2027 and how a series of federal programs (described below) will align their work to the state’s vision and goals. As required by federal law, the Governor must review the State Plan after two years and make modifications “to reflect changes in labor market and economic conditions or in other factors affecting the implementation of the unified State plan.” All proposed modifications to Minnesota's State Plan reflect changes as required by federal statute and guidance.

The proposed modifications are now open for a 30-Day Public Comment Period, closing on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The WIOA 2024 – 2027 Combined State Plan Modification includes modifications from the following programs:

  • Title I of WIOA: the Adult program, the Dislocated Worker program, and the Youth program;
  • Title II of WIOA: the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act program;
  • Title III of WIOA: the Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Service program (authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended by title III); and
  • Title IV: the Vocational Rehabilitation program (authorized under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by Title IV).
  • Career and technical education programs authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
  • Employment and Training programs under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (programs authorized under section 6(d)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)))
  • Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program (programs authorized under 38, U.S.C. 4100 et. seq.)
  • Senior Community Service Employment program (programs authorized under title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq.))