Under WIOA, there are six primary indicators of performance. Five of the six indicators are currently defined in a regulation the Departments of Labor and Education (the Departments) jointly issued.  The Departments pilot tested various alternatives for the sixth indicator of performance, which measures the workforce system’s effectiveness in serving employers.  That process is now complete.  The Departments are engaging in a rulemaking under RIN number 1205-AC01 to incorporate a standard definition of the effectiveness in serving employers indicator into the regulations implementing WIOA at 20 CFR part 677, 34 CFR part 361, and 34 CFR part 463.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is also engaging in rulemaking to incorporate the standard definition of the effectiveness in serving employers indicator into the regulations for three (3) programs DOL administers under WIOA 20 CFR part 684 (Indian and Native American Programs), 20 CFR part 686 (Job Corps), 20 CFR part 688 (YouthBuild).   

One additional WIOA authorized program, the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) at 20 CFR part 685, will be impacted by the addition of the definition of the effectiveness in serving employers indicator.  WIOA section 167 (29 U.S.C. 3222) authorizes the NFJP.  Section 167 of WIOA requires DOL to use the six WIOA primary indicators of performance, including the effectiveness in serving employers indicator, to assess the performance of the NFJP.  Therefore, once finalized, the new definition of the effectiveness in serving employers indicator in 20 CFR part 677 will also apply to the NFJP.  However, no changes to the regulation text at 20 CFR part 685 are necessary to implement this change.  Accordingly, DOL is not seeking to make changes to 20 CFR part 685 (NFJP’s implementing regulations).