COTA Act
The COTA Act (Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance Act) would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to strengthen career guidance and public awareness related to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations, explicitly including skilled trades. Specifically, it adds two new required activities to Section 223(a)(2): (M) providing guidance on career options in high-demand sectors (including skilled trades), and (N) raising public awareness and conducting public service announcements about career and technical education programs and community-based organizations, leveraging social media campaigns and other outreach efforts. In effect, the bill directs federal workforce programs to place greater emphasis on informing students and job seekers about pathways into skilled trades and other in-demand fields, and to promote related education programs and community-based resources.
Key Points
- 1The bill amends Section 223(a)(2) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act by redesignating the existing subparagraph M as O, and inserting new subparagraphs M and N after subparagraph L.
- 2New subparagraph (M): Requires providing guidance on career options in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors or occupations, including skilled trades.
- 3New subparagraph (N): Requires raising public awareness and conducting public service announcements about career and technical education programs and community-based organizations, including through social media campaigns and other outreach, focused on programs for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors (including skilled trades).
- 4The overall aim is to improve information and outreach to students, job seekers, and other stakeholders about pathways into skilled trades and other in-demand careers, leveraging modern outreach methods.
- 5No explicit funding authorization is included in the text provided; implementation would rely on existing WIOA authorities and appropriations.