20 CFR § 681.540 - What is occupational skills training?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s681.540"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 681.540 - What is occupational skills training?"
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "681.540"
section_name: "What is occupational skills training?"
chapter_name: "EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR"
part_number: "681"
part_name: "YOUTH ACTIVITIES UNDER TITLE I OF THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Secs. 107, 121, 123, 129, 189, 503, Pub. L. 113-128, 128 Stat. 1425 (Jul. 22, 2014)."
regulatory_source: "81 FR 56398, Aug. 19, 2016, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "681"
---


# 681.540 What is occupational skills training?

(a) The Department defines occupational skills training as an organized program of study that provides specific vocational skills that lead to proficiency in performing actual tasks and technical functions required by certain occupational fields at entry, intermediate, or advanced levels. Local areas must give priority consideration to training programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials that align with in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the local area. Such training must:

(1) Be outcome-oriented and focused on an occupational goal specified in the individual service strategy;

(2) Be of sufficient duration to impart the skills needed to meet the occupational goal; and

(3) Lead to the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential.

(b) The chosen occupational skills training must meet the quality standards in WIOA sec. 123.