Develop new skills with the Workforce Investment Act

The Workforce Investment Act, or WIA, is a federally funded grant for those who have been laid off that may qualify for a grant to learn a skill in order to re-enter the workforce.  Many programs are offered through community colleges offering training such as welding, electrical, various medical positions, and truck driving.

Other skills are offered and you can do a google search for “workforce investment act training program + (your state or city)”  to see what’s being offered in your area.

Here’s a view of the WIA program description below with a link to the US Dept of Labor website with more information:

 

Workforce Investment Act — Adults and Dislocated Workers Program

Program Description
The Adult and Dislocated Worker Program, under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, is designed to provide quality employment and training services to assist eligible individuals in finding and qualifying for meaningful employment, and to help employers find the skilled workers they need to compete and succeed in business.

Goals
To increase employment, as measured by entry into unsubsidized employment;
To increase retention in unsubsidized employment six months after entry into employment;
To increase earnings received in unsubsidized employment for dislocated workers; and
To enhance customer satisfaction for participants and for employers.
The employment goals are measured using Unemployment Insurance Wage Records systems and customer satisfaction goals are measured by sampling.

Services
Services are provided through One-Stop Career Centers. There are three levels of service:
Core services – includes outreach, job search and placement assistance, and labor market information available to all job seekers;
Intensive services – Includes more comprehensive assessments, development of individual employment plans and counseling and career planning; and
Training services – Customers are linked to job opportunities in their communities, including both occupational training and training in basic skills. Participants use an “individual training account” to select an appropriate training program from a qualified training provider.

Additional Services
“Supportive” services such as transportation, childcare, dependent care, housing and needs-related payments are provided under certain circumstances to allow an individual to participate in the program.
“Rapid Response” services at the employment site for employers and workers who are expected to lose their jobs as a result of company closings and mass layoffs are also available.
Individuals whose layoff was created or affected by international trade, may access information and services under the Trade Act programs.
States are responsible for program management and operations including enrollment, service delivery, and certification of training providers.

Target Population
All adults, 18 years and older, are eligible for core services.
Dislocated workers.
Priority for intensive and training services must be given to recipients of public assistance and other low-income individuals where funds are limited.
In addition to unemployed adults, employed adults can also receive services to obtain or retain employment that allows for self-sufficiency. State and local areas are responsible for establishing procedures for applying the priority and self-sufficiency requirements.

Definitions of Dislocated Workers
A dislocated worker is an individual who:
Has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment;
Is eligible for or has exhausted unemployment insurance;
Has demonstrated an appropriate attachment to the workforce, but not eligible for unemployment insurance and unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation;
Has been terminated or laid off or received notification of termination or layoff from employment s a result of a permanent closure or substantial layoff;
Is employed at a facility, where the employer has made the general announcement that the facility will close within a 180 days;
Was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, a rancher, or a fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community or because of a natural disaster; or
Is a displaced homemaker who is no longer supported by another family member.