What is WIA?
What is the Workforce Investment Act (WIA)?
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is a federally funded training and job program that creates a new approach, providing workforce investment activities through statewide and local systems. Authorized workforce investment activities provided at the local level benefit job seekers, dislocated workers, youth, foster care participants, incumbent workers, new entrants to the workforce, veterans, persons with disabilities, and employers. These activities promote an increase in employment, job retention, earnings, and occupational skill attainment by participants. This outcome improves the quality of the workforce, reduces welfare dependency, and enhances the productivity and competitiveness of the nation.
Who Qualifies for WIA funding?
Many people can qualify for WIA grants. Workforce funding is generally budgeted into Adult, Dislocated Worker, Older Youth and Younger Youth categories. The majority of funding is budgeted toward adult and dislocated workers whose current job skills are out of date or will be soon. Clients seek training to update current skills or learn skills for a new career if his or her current occupation is not in demand.
What is the approval process for WIA Participants?
Prospective WIA participants must visit a One-Stop center to find out if they are eligible to receive WIA grant funding. Prospective students who are good candidates for the program will meet with a WIA Counselor who will help guide them through the WIA process. Typically, participants are required to complete a series of workshops and assessment tests.
Qualifying participants will research approved training providers and programs to determine which is the best fit for their needs. Once students have chosen a school and training program, the school may have to submit a training proposal to the WIA counselor.
What is a One Stop center?
A One Stop center is an office that provides employment related services to individuals, including job listings, career advising, and training referrals. WIA counselors (also called case managers, case advisors, and/or career counselors/specialists) meet with potential clients at the One Stop centers. Together, the potential client and counselor go through the process to determine whether that individual meets the qualifications to receive a training grant. Individuals that qualify to receive a WIA training grant then research schools and programs in their chosen career field. Though the final decision on which school the client attends is always up to the client, counselors can recommend schools for the client to research as well as provide the clients with brochures or fliers from approved training providers.
Clients of Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) program sites, Employment Development Department (EDD) offices, and One-Stop centers may work with their officer at the site to secure the funding for these programs. To begin the process, please visit your local site, or fill out the online Participant Registration form at:
http://www.i-train.org/default1.aspSuccess Stories
"I made the choice of on-line training because I am a single mother with an 8 year old son. I did not want take all my time away from my son. The time for traveling to and from school would mean more time away from my son. The cost of daycare even for a couple of hours is more than I can afford...
I enjoyed being able to go on-line at my convenience to do my studies. I could take my son back and forth to school and log on while he is in school. I could log also log in after he was in bed at night. The course was easy to follow and learn from. The activities were fun and interesting learning tools."
- J. E. H. (WIA graduate)"As a WIA Education Coordinator for Holmes Community College, one of my responsibilities is to register students for various online programs. Gatlin Education Services has been wonderful in answering all of my questions promptly and professionally. My students are successfully progressing through their courses and have said that choosing Gatlin online instruction was a great choice!"
- Angela B. (Holmes C. C.)