Welcome to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program Orientation

Please click Next to proceed

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program Eligibility

Services under this program are eligibility-based. Therefore, all interested persons must meet and be able to document the following preliminary criteria to be a potential candidate. You must meet all of these: • You are a Manatee or Sarasota County Resident • You are 18 years or older • You meet U.S. Citizenship requirements (or hold current authorization to work in the

U.S.) • You meet Selective Service registration requirements (if you are a male born on or after

January 1,1960) If you meet ALL of these preliminary eligibility criteria, please click Next. Otherwise we regret to inform you that you are ineligible for adult WIA program assistance in our region. Please exit this orientation. Career Placement Assistance is available at each of our Career Centers.

Dislocated Worker Eligibility

Only 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 unemployment 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

Adult Eligibility

Only 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 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)

If you meet AT LEAST one of the eligibility criteria over the last two pages and can document, please click Next. Otherwise we regret to inform you that you are ineligible for training Assistance. Please exit this orientation. Career placement assistance is available at each of our Career Centers.

Welcome to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program Orientation

Continued

What is WIA?

The Workforce Investment Act is a federally funded program designed to assist participants with finding and retaining employment and to help employers find qualified workers.

WIA is an employment program not a TRAINING assistance

program WIA was designed to provide a 3- tiered service delivery that offers services at your level of need:

– Core Services – Intensive Services – Training Services

Core Services

Core Services are designed to assist you in putting your high-demand occupational skills to work. Core Services typically includes assistance with your resume, workshops related to specific job seeking skills and similar other immediate services.

Under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), it is expected that you will first make significant attempts to find employment using the tools, resources and equipment available in our Career Centers or through our website www.suncoastworkforce.org or www.employflorida.com .

Core Services (Cont’d)

Services available to all adults 18 years of age or over:

• Job Listings

• Information about education and training providers (approved educational institutions in our area that provide training for specific careers)

• Labor Market Information (including employment rates, current and projected wages for specific occupations)

• Office Support Products and Services (telephones, copiers, fax machines, printers, computers- enabling you to respond immediately to job leads)

• Assessment and Career Planning Tools

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

– Tech 102: Word Basics

– Resume Basics

– Intro to Optimal Resume

– Job Search Techniques

– Preparing for the Interview

– Veteran Job Preparation

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 the workshops’ descriptions and prerequisites, please visit the online calendar on our website at http://www.suncoastworkforce.org/calendar.php.

Intensive Services

Intensive Services are available to those people unable to currently obtain self-sufficient employment but could if some additional services were provided. For example, if you simply need a licensure or certification, intensive services may be the best route for you. Services include:

– Comprehensive Assessment – Career Counseling – Assistance with licensure or certification (for an in-demand occupations) – Short-term, one time only assistance with materials, supplies, or uniforms

needed to go to work – Referral to Training – Short Term Pre-vocational Training – Referral to Community Services

Training Services

For those who met Intensive Services Eligibility, but have been unable to find self-sufficient employment through those services, training services may be an option for you.

– On-the-Job Training

– Occupational Skills Training

On-the- Job Training

On-the-Job Training (OJT) services are available to those people seeking assistance who can not obtain self-sufficient employment with their current level of skills and need an OJT opportunity to gain the skills they need based on the employer’s requirements. For more information about this service after this presentation, visit one of our Career Centers nearest you to learn about available On-the-Job Training opportunities.

Bradenton Sarasota Venice

3526 9th St. W. 3660 N. Washington Blvd. 897 E. Venice Ave. Bradenton, FL 34205 Sarasota, FL 34234 Venice, FL 34285 941.714.7449 941.358.4200 941.486.2682

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 selected Targeted Occupations training program.

Since WIA is not an entitlement program, selection of participants takes into consideration many factors. These factors include but are not limited to the following:

– Qualifying for the WIA Program

– The potential to succeed in training

– The likelihood of becoming employed upon completion

– Financial Stability

• Eligible and suitable participants are offered assistance in upgrading or redirecting vocational skills in order to be competitive in the labor market

• WIA 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 to the WIA 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 WIA does not cover, in order to be successful in training

Occupational Skills Training (Cont’d)

Training Assessment

• If it is determined that you will need additional training in order to obtain self-sufficient 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 these appointments

Targeted Occupations & Approved Training Vendor List

To see our list of Targeted Occupations & Approved Training Vendors:

• Visit www.suncoastworkforce.org

• Click on Career Seeker Services

• Click on Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

• Targeted Occupations 2012-13 – click on, review, research, and determine which occupation you are interested in pursuing (we also recommend job searching for your selected occupation to determine openings, education and experience requirements for entry)

• Eligible Training Vendor Provider List 2012-13- click on, review, research and determine which approved training vendor(s) and program(s)you may be interested in pursuing

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 available

• Are additional certifications required for employment in this field?

• What is the availability of jobs in the area you are willing to work in?

• If it’s determined that you are currently eligible to enroll and successfully complete a WIA 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, Suncoast Workforce cannot and will not reimburse expenses incurred prior to your eligibility and enrollment date in the WIA 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

WIA Eligibility

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:

– 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:

– Apply for admission

– Take any admissions tests/assessments required

Remember: WIA does not pay for school entrance tests, background checks for entry, fees or

Assessments.

PLEASE NOTE… WIA 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 www.fafsa.ed.gov (NOTE: applying for

Pell is mandatory for all programs over 600 hours)

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 Counselor 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 Career Counselor promptly of changes in your address, phone

number, email, or personal situation which might affect your ability to complete your training and employment goals

R E M E M B E R…

• Do not attend classes that you expect to be paid for by WIA 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 WIA

• 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 Counselor

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 -Transportation

-Medical Conditions -Housing/Shelter

-Pending Court Dates -Background/Criminal History

It is required that you address any issue that could potentially prohibit you from completing your training program or 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 Counselor. We are here to help you succeed both in your training and your

future employment!

Assessments

Based on your individual situation you may be asked to complete assessment testing:

• TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education)- It is important you achieve the required grade equivalency levels which have been provided by the training vendor based on the occupational demand to ensure you are prepared for the training program of your choice and ultimately have the ability to succeed in the job

• CareerScope- Interest and Aptitude Testing to assist with identifying your level of interest and aptitude toward a given field

Create an Email Account

There are many websites that offer FREE email accounts (yahoo.com, google.com, and MSN.com).

In order to efficiently communicate with potential employers, school and WIA staff, we strongly encourage you to establish an email account. If you need assistance, the staff in the resource room will gladly help you create an email account.

IN SUMMARY….

• WIA is an employment program, NOT a training assistance program

• Not every applicant may be eligible to receive WIA training fund

• WIA only pays for books/tuition/fees and supplies that are required for your training program

Next Steps:

1. Register on employflorida.com

2. Create an email account

3. Click on and Print out the Application Instructions and Application Documents

4. Gather Required Documentation

5. Attend a group intake- dates are located on the Application Instructions link

Please feel free to contact Suncoast Workforce at: wia@suncoastworkforce.org

WIA is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request by individuals with disabilities via the Florida Relay System at 711.

Questions? Comments?