Making WIA Work for Women: Reforming the Workforce Investment Act to Help Women Gain Quality Jobs and Narrow the Wage Gap

As Congress is preparing to discuss the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), this Congressional Briefing heard from four speakers about the need to address the gender wage gap among people who received WIA services; the need to provide good career counseling and supports, particularly for non-traditional jobs, to help women reach 'self-sufficiency' wages; proposals for an enhanced role of peer counselors or union learning representatives to give career advise to incumbent workers; and proposals for performance and accountability measures under WIA to focus attention on non-traditional occupations.

To view a summary of the briefing and to access background documents, click here.

To view the Machinist News Network's video report of the event, click here.

Speakers

Ariane Hegewisch, Study Director, Institute for Women's Policy Research
The Workforce Investment Act, the Wage Gap and Gender Segregation in Training

Susan Rees, Policy Director of National Policy and Programs, Wider Opportunities for Women
Tailoring WIA Services for Women's Self-Sufficiency

Marie-Louise Caravatti, Associate Director for Research American Federation of Teachers
Career Advice that Counts: Workplace Learning Representatives as a Route for Career Counseling and Advocacy for Professional Development for Paraprofessionals in Education

Mimi Lufkin, CEO, National Alliance for Partnership in Equity
Recruiting and Retaining Women in Non-Traditional Training and Education: Using Perkins Act Performance Measures for the Workforce Investment Act

Moderator

Carolyn Williams, Director, Human Services Department International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers