Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Orientation

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1 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Orientation

2 WIOA Services The Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federal law that created the Workforce System. It is designed to assist participants with finding and retaining employment and to help employers find qualified workers. WIOA provides funds for training and employability development to those who are unemployed or under-employed.

3 Dislocated Worker Eligibility You may be eligible for training services if you meet at least one of these eligibility criteria: You are laid off or have received official notice of layoff from your current job (through no fault of your own) and are unlikely to return to your previous industry or occupation due to current economic conditions You are eligible for, receiving, or have exhausted your reemployment compensation benefits You are a displaced homemaker no longer supported by the income of another family member because of death or divorce and are unemployed or underemployed You are a former contractor or self-employed individual who is unemployed due to current economic conditions You are non-retiree discharged recently from the armed forces under honorable conditions or an unemployed military spouse impacted by spouses active duty or discharge from active duty

4 Adult Eligibility You may be eligible for training services if you meet at least one of these eligibility criteria: You are receiving Food Stamps currently or within the last six months You are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits You can provide verification of household income for the last six months (definition of a household is anyone in the house related by blood, marriage or court degree) Family Size 200% LLSIL $27,722 2 $45,422 3 $62,344 4 $76,970 5 $90,844 6 $106,244 7 $121,644 8 $137,044

5 Priority of Service Priority of Service Priority of Service will be given to low-income veterans and recipients of public assistance, and other low-income individuals. Customers will be served in the following order: Low Income Veterans or Eligible Persons Low Income Individuals Veterans who fall below self-sufficiency levels All other individuals who fall below self-sufficiency levels

6 Career Services Career Services are designed to assist you with putting your high-demand occupational skills to work. Career Services typically includes assistance with your resume, workshops related to specific job seeking skills and similar other immediate services. Services available to all adults 18 years of age or over: Information about labor market & demand occupations Skills assessment Employability workshops Job search assistance Resume & interviewing assistance

7 Career Preparation Workshops To equip you with tools, techniques and resources to effectively seek employment, several workshops are available in our Career Centers: Tech 101: Computer and Internet Basics Resume Basics Intro to Optimal Resume Job Search Techniques Preparing for the Interview Participants must be fully registered online in Employ Florida (including Background Wizard and Resume Builder) as well as pre-registered for the workshops. To view workshop descriptions and prerequisites, please visit the online calendar on our website at:

8 Training Services If you lack the necessary credentials or experience training may be what s needed to help reach your career goals. WIOA offers different types of training services to include: On-the-Job Training Occupational Skills Training

9 On-the-Job Training CareerSource Suncoast offers On-the-Job Training (OJT) as a service to career seekers and employers to help fill open positions. Rather than school-based training, OJT allows employers to hire career seekers and use their own staff to train new employees on needed skills to do the job. Benefit to Career Seeker Assistance in finding open positions Training on the job to learn needed skills while earning pay as a full-time employee Benefit to Employer Assistance finding quality candidates for openings Customized training plan suited for prospective employee To find employers open to OJT, click On the Job Training in the Preferred Job Order Criteria when doing an Advanced Job Search in

10 Occupational Skills Training Occupational Skills Training services are available to those people seeking assistance who cannot obtain self-sufficient employment with their current level of skills and need a full training program in order to obtain marketable skills. Individual Training Accounts are established to finance training based upon the individuals choice of a selected Targeted Occupations training program. Since WIOA is not an entitlement program, selection of participants takes into consideration many factors. These factors include but are not limited to the following: The potential to succeed in training The likelihood of becoming employed upon completion Financial stability

11 Occupational Skills Training (Cont d) Eligible and suitable participants are offered assistance in upgrading or redirecting vocational skills in order to be competitive in the labor market WIOA only pays for books/tuition/fees and supplies that are required for your individual training program Please evaluate your finances, including mortgage/rent, utilities, transportation costs, food and all other expenses prior to applying for the WIOA program You must be able to demonstrate that, based on household income, you can sufficiently meet your living expenses and any additional costs associated with training, which WIOA does not cover, in order to be successful in training

12 Training Assessment If it is determined that you will need additional training in order to obtain selfsufficient employment that will support your family, our staff will work with you to develop the best course of action The process will involve assessing your skills, abilities, potential training completion barriers, and financial planning and budgeting. We have many resources including testing to determine your aptitudes, career exploration and tools to define your current financial ability to complete training at this time. Some of these activities will require appointments and it is very important that you keep those appointments

13 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Targeted Occupation What wages can you realistically expect in this profession (entry, with some experience and forward)? What are the growth expectations? Utilize Labor Market Information Are additional certifications required for employment in this field? What is the availability of jobs in the area you are willing to work?

14 If it s determined that you are currently eligible to enroll and successfully complete a WIOA Occupational Skills Training (OST) program, then it is highly recommended that you visit any school you plan to attend prior to enrolling in their program. You will be contacted for an appointment to discuss your eligibility, suitability and funding available to you. -- Please note that, under federal guidance, CareerSource Suncoast cannot and will not reimburse expenses incurred prior to your eligibility and enrollment date in the WIOA program. -- Therefore, we strongly encourage you to seek other funding if you find it necessary to enroll in a training program prior to having an enrollment interview with a staff member.

15 Selecting a Training Vendor In order to make an informed choice about a particular training vendor, complete the following: Physically visit the training facilities of your choice Speak with current students Speak with instructors Ask to sit in a class Ask questions that may be important to you: o o o o o Are they accredited? By whom? Do they accept the Pell Grant? What is the cost of your program compared to others? What is their completion rates for the program? Does the training facility offer job placement assistance - what is their success rate in your specific field? When you are sure that this is the right training facility for you: o o Apply for admission Take any admissions tests/assessments required Remember: WIOA does not pay for school entrance tests, background checks for entry, fees or assessments.

16 Please Note WIOA funded training is through approved training facilities only. The training must be sufficient to qualify you for employment in your desired field upon completion of training. Important information to know before enrolling into your training program: - Whether fees for required certifications are covered expenses - If you are able to attend classes on the days and times required - How long will the training last from start to finish - Total cost of training- tuition, books, supplies Financial Aid- Pell grant apply at (NOTE: applying for Pell is mandatory for all programs over 600 hours)

17 What Does the WIA Program Require from You? Attend a full-time program only Maintain a minimum of C or required satisfactory grade level Attend classes regularly Contact with your career advisor monthly Provide a copy of grades at the end of each training period Updated Pell information as necessary Complete your training, as well as any required test for licensing and/or certifications within the original agreed to timeframe Copy of your certificate or diploma Get a job in the field/occupation you trained for Check in every three months for a year after you have found employment to verify your continued employment Notify your career advisor promptly of changes in your address, phone number, , or personal situation which might affect your ability to complete your training and employment goals

18 R E M E M B E R Do not attend classes that you expect to be paid for by WIOA funding until your individual training plan is completed, signed by you and your career counselor, and you have received written authorization that your funding has been approved Pre-requisite courses are not paid by WIOA Payment for training is by a voucher only to approved training facilities It is best not to sign loan application or contracts until you have consulted with your career advisor

19 Potential Barriers to Training & Employment Do you have any needs in the following areas that would prohibit completion of your training program and/or ability to obtain and retain employment? -Child Care -Medical Conditions -Pending Court Dates -Transportation -Housing/Shelter -Background/Criminal History It is required that you address any issue that could potentially prohibit you from completing your training program and securing employment. If you answered yes to any of the questions above Please do not enroll into any training program without first discussing it with your career advisor. We are here to help you succeed both in your training and your future employment!

20 Create an Account There are many websites that offer FREE accounts (yahoo.com, google.com, and MSN.com). In order to efficiently communicate with potential employers, school and WIOA staff, we strongly encourage you to establish an account. If you need assistance, the staff in the resource room will gladly help you create an account.

21 In Summary WIOA is an employment program, not a training assistance program Not every applicant may be eligible to receive WIOA training funding WIOA only pays for books/tuition/fees and supplies that are required for your training program Next Steps: Register on employflorida.com Upload your resume or use the Resume Builder in Employ Florida to create one Create an account Complete the WIOA Application on-line

22 Youth Services For individuals who are between the ages of 16-24, CareerSource Suncoast provides specialized Youth Services. You must be: Income eligible Meet WIOA youth criteria Meet with a WIOA youth advisor Click here for more information

23 Other Websites Please review the following websites for other funding opportunities:

24 Disability? If you have a disability which prohibits you from returning to work, you may be eligible for other services Please contact Vocational Rehabilitation in your area: Bradenton Sarasota Venice While working with your WIOA career advisor you may be referred to VR as part of your plan.

25 Questions? Please feel free to contact CareerSource Suncoast at: WIOA is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request by individuals with disabilities via the Florida Relay System at 711.