Sponsors (2)
The bill invests a portion of WIOA funds to build statewide and multi‑State data systems that can improve training alignment, credential portability, and program evaluation, but does so by diverting funds from direct services and introducing privacy, commercial‑use, and equity risks unless safeguards and supplemental funding are provided.
Unemployed workers, students, and job-seekers will get more timely, standardized labor‑market information so training and credential programs can be better matched to in‑demand skills and occupations.
State and local governments will receive targeted grants to build or improve statewide longitudinal data systems linking education, workforce, and labor market data, improving outcome reporting and evidence‑based program evaluation under WIOA.
Students and workers could gain interoperable learning and employment records that let individuals securely own and share verified credentials and skill records, improving portability of credentials.
Unemployed workers and local workforce programs could see reduced funding for direct services because 5–10% of certain WIOA funds would be redirected to grants for data systems unless Congress provides additional resources.
Students and workers face heightened privacy and data‑security risks from collecting and linking personal education and employment records if protections, controls, and enforcement prove insufficient.
Workers and students could have their data accessed or repurposed by employers or third parties for commercial uses they did not anticipate, creating potential harms or discrimination.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs the Labor Department to run a competitive grant program using 5–10% of certain WIOA funds to help states build integrated workforce and education data systems.
Introduced April 23, 2026 by John Wright Hickenlooper · Last progress April 23, 2026
Creates a competitive grant program to help states build and improve integrated workforce and education data systems. The Department of Labor must set aside 5–10% of certain WIOA funds (and may use other available amounts) to award grants to state agencies or state consortia that bring together wage records, labor market information, and WIOA program administration. Grants fund work to improve data quality, reporting, privacy, standardization, and usefulness for meeting performance requirements and aligning worker skills with employer needs.