The word "ACWIA" is an acronym for the "American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act." Its spelling can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /əˈkwɪə/. This means that the first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, represented by the symbol /ə/. The second syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, represented by the symbol /ɪ/. The final syllable has a stressed "uh" sound, represented by the symbol /ə/. The letter "c" is pronounced like the letter "k" in this context, and the letter "w" is pronounced like the letter "u."
ACWIA, also known as the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act, refers to a United States federal law enacted in 1998. It aims to promote American competitiveness by bolstering the access to skilled workers in various industries, primarily in the fields of science, engineering, and information technology. The Act recognizes the significance of highly skilled foreign workers in maintaining America's economic growth and global leadership.
ACWIA introduced several measures to address this objective. One notable provision is the increase in the cap for the H-1B visa category, which permits skilled foreign workers to enter and work in the United States temporarily. The Act raised the annual H-1B visa cap from 65,000 to 115,000, subsequently increasing it further to 195,000 by 2001. The additional visas were specifically allocated for individuals with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
Moreover, ACWIA mandates that employers who utilize the H-1B visa program must also contribute to a training fund known as the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account. These funds are intended to facilitate training programs for American workers in industries with high demand for skilled labor, reducing the dependence on foreign professionals in the long run.
ACWIA, as a legislative measure, seeks to strike a balance between meeting the needs of American industries and protecting the interests of American workers. By enhancing access to skilled foreign labor while simultaneously investing in domestic training, the Act aims to support American competitiveness on a global scale.