One Door to Work Act

This bill lets states test new, simpler ways to run job training. A state, a single local area, or a group of local areas can combine certain federal workforce funds into one 5-year grant to try ideas that may get better results for jobseekers and employers. The Secretary can waive many program rules during these pilots, but key safeguards—like tracking results, board rules if boards are used, and priority of service—still apply .

Money is sent as one lump sum of the usual youth, adult, and dislocated worker funds, and overhead is capped at 10%. Projects must set rising performance goals, serve at least as many people as before, and give priority to veterans and spouses, people on public assistance, low‑income people, and those with basic skills gaps. Each pilot is independently evaluated and compared to similar people who did not join, and findings are reported to Congress. Pilots last 5 years and can be renewed for 5 more only if goals are met and overall results improve by at least 5% .

• Who is affected: jobseekers ages 16–24 and 25+, dislocated workers, employers, and state and local workforce systems .
• What changes: 5‑year consolidated grants with waivers of many rules, while core safeguards stay in place .
• Oversight: independent third‑party evaluations, yearly outcome reports, and possible sanctions starting in year 3 if targets are missed .
• Limits and fairness: up to 10% for admin costs; must serve at least as many people as before; priority service for veterans and certain low‑income or basic‑skills‑deficient individuals.
• Scale and timing: only up to 8 statewide pilots and 8 local/consortium pilots per 5‑year period, with just one project per state; the Secretary must decide on applications within 60 days or they are approved; an evaluation contract is set within 180 days after the first approval; a final report is due 2 years after year 5 .