The House Education and Workforce Committee is currently holding a hearing on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), titled "Strengthening WIOA: Improving Outcomes for America's Workforce."
The hearing, led by Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT), features testimony from workforce and education leaders, including Dr. Stephen Moret of the Strada Education Foundation and Ms. Molly Dodge of Ivy Tech Community College. This discussion comes at a critical time as WIOA is up for reauthorization, with lawmakers considering updates to better serve unemployed and underemployed individuals seeking job training and career advancement.
This hearing is of particular significance because WIOA funding plays a vital role in helping Americans access truck driver training at CVTA member schools. Many individuals looking to enter the trucking industry rely on these resources to gain the skills necessary for good-paying jobs.
The hope is that this reauthorization will build on the bipartisan WIOA reform efforts that nearly passed at the end of the last Congress in 2024, ensuring continued investment in workforce development programs that support commercial trucking careers.
As lawmakers and witnesses discuss ways to improve WIOA outcomes, CVTA staff will be watching closely, and continue to advocate for policies that sustain and expand access to training opportunities. The trucking industry is a key driver of the U.S. economy and ensuring that workforce programs remain robust will help address driver shortages while providing individuals with pathways to stable and rewarding careers.
The hearing is available HERE