MATCH Act of 2026

This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish talent marketplaces that match individuals with employment and learning opportunities using digital platforms, credential registries, learning and employment records, and skills profile generators. It also creates a grant program for workforce data quality initiatives and updates requirements for provider lists and websites.

Sec. 2, Talent marketplace definitions: The bill adds definitions to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for 'talent marketplace' (a set of public platforms using interoperable technologies to match individuals with jobs and learning), 'credential registry' (a digital portal for credential descriptions), 'learning and employment record' (a digital record of education and employment history controlled by the individual), 'skills profile generator' (a tool to create skill profiles), and 'standardized terminology' (a limited set of terms from a public skills framework).

Sec. 2, Workforce Data Quality Initiative: The bill adds a grant program under section 169 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, requiring the Secretary to use 5 to 10 percent of certain funds to award grants to eligible entities (state agencies or consortia) for up to 3 years to create workforce longitudinal data systems and talent marketplaces. Grants prioritize states without prior grants or multistate consortia, and funds can be used for data systems, talent marketplaces, research, privacy measures, and staff capacity. Recipients must report within 180 days after the grant period.

Sec. 2, List and information to assist participants: The bill amends section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to allow a Governor to establish a talent marketplace, requires the list of providers (including any talent marketplace) to be on a publicly accessible, consumer-tested, searchable website using open-data language, and directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance and disseminate effective practices.

Sec. 2, Assistance in developing talent marketplaces: The bill amends the Wagner-Peyser Act to add establishing a talent marketplace as an authorized activity for state agencies under section 7(a)(3).