Workforce Innovation & Opportuntiy Act (WIOA)

What is WIOA?

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federally funded program which provides comprehensive counseling, retraining and career development. This program aims to improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation's economy. There is a priority for eligible low income and welfare recipients and for certain veterans or veteran spouses to receive specific services. Additionally WIOA works to support Dislocated Workers; who lost jobs due to plant closures, company downsizing, or some other significant change in market conditions. Other conditions can lead to eligibility, such as being self-employed (but not working as a result of general economic conditions), or being a displaced homemaker.

The goal of the program is to return participants to quality jobs in the labor market. This is accomplished through counseling, assessment, retraining, job search assistance and job development. Training programs are offered in occupations where there is stability and growth so the likelihood of future displacement is minimized. The program pays 100 percent of training costs for one WIOA approved program. More than 40 areas of study are offered. Each participant attends an orientation, a counseling session and a pre-employment skills workshop where resumes are written and job search interviewing skills are developed. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis, interested individuals must meet with a Career Coach in the Career Services office. For further information, call or visit Career Services in A Building, Room A-204 (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3619.

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