Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

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Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
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• Customer Information
• Training Today.
• For Employment Tomorrow

Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium Updated
3/2013
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What is WIA?

• Federally funded training assistance
• Guided by
• Local Elected Officials
• Private sector dominated Workforce Investment
  Boards
• Designed to
• increase occupational skill levels of
  participants
• Improve quality of the workforce

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Training Programs

• Designed to prepare eligible adults and youth for
• Productive employment
• Designed to prepare youth for
• Successful completion of an academic program

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Services

• Tailored to meet the specific needs of the
  individual and employer
• May provide programs such as
• Educational or vocational training
• Workplace readiness skills
• On-the-job training or Work Experience
• Leadership training
• Academic attainment assistance
• Incentives and supportive services.
• Services provided are dependent upon the needs of
  each individual and are determined by the case
  manager and participant.

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How to get services

• WIA is an ELIGIBILITY based program NOT an
  entitlement program
• Individuals not eligible for WIA services may
  still receive basic employment services through
  their local Workforce Center
• Basic employment services may include
• Resume preparation
• Interview skills
• Job referrals

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How to get services

• Enrollment is based upon
• Eligibility requirements set forth by the Rural
  Workforce Consortium (based on federal
  regulations)
• Qualification for priority of service
• Verification of eligibility is required
• Determination of appropriateness
• Need for services to overcome barriers
• Candidates appearance of motivation and
  dedication to participate

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Who can get services

• Adults who are
• US Citizens or registered alien eligible to work
  in the US
• 18 years old or older,
• unemployed or underemployed,
• low-income and-or is receiving public assistance
  and,
• Is in need of additional assistance to enter
  sustainable employment
• Additional criteria may be considered

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Who can get services

• Dislocated Workers who
• US Citizens or registered alien eligible to work
  in the US
• Has been separated from employment through no
  fault of their own (layoff), is eligible to
  receive unemployment insurance and is unlikely to
  return to that occupation or
• Employment ended due to plant closure or
• Is a displaced homemaker
• Additional criteria may be considered

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Who can get services

• Youth who are
• US Citizens or registered alien eligible to work
  in the US
• Between 14 and 21 years old,
• In or out of school,
• Is low-income and
• Is in need of additional assistance to complete a
  training program or obtain employment
• Additional criteria may be considered

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Additional criteria considered

• Males born on or after 1/1/1960 must be
  registered with Selective Service
• Low-Income includes receiving public assistance
  (food stamps, TANF, SSI)
• Income guidelines are based upon the federal
  standards and change annually. Entire family
  income must be considered.
• Individuals with disabilities may be considered a
  family of one for income purposes.
• WIA is not an Entitlement program. Although an
  applicant may be determined eligible,
  appropriateness guidelines must be met prior to
  program acceptance.

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Additional criteria considered

• A youth may automatically meet the eligibility
  guidelines if they are
• A member of a family receiving food stamps and/or
  TANF
• Is in a publically supported foster care facility
  or home
• Is in a detention facility at the time of
  enrollment
• Youth must meet low-income guidelines and be
  faced with one or more documented barriers that
  inhibit the youth from participating in training
  or employment

Youth Barriers Youth Barriers
Offender Homeless / Runaway
Pregnant/Parenting Youth High School graduate needing assistance to determine career path
Foster Care Poor interpersonal/social skills
High School Dropout or at risk of dropping out Poor personal appearance or hygiene
Poor school attendance or has been suspended/expelled Lacking skills or support to obtain/maintain employment
Deficient in basic literary skills Lacks family support (emotional or financial)
Likelihood of follow through is also considered for program enrollment. Likelihood of follow through is also considered for program enrollment.