The Workforce Investment Act

Being unemployed doesn´t mean being out of options. The Workforce Investment Act is a government-funded program with the goal of providing adults with the money needed for the education, skills and training they need to get and retain jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor works with states through the Workforce Investment Act to provide money for workers, so they can afford career training for jobs that are in demand in local markets. While the amount of funding can vary from state to state, WIA money can be used to help pay for job training, and in some cases completely fund a career education!

Some of the groups the WIA can provide assistance to:

• workers who have recently lost their jobs
• workers who lost their jobs and have had a difficult time finding new ones
• individuals who have lost their primary sources of income and need to make the transition into the job market for the first time
• workers who are in danger of losing their jobs if they don´t receive additional training
• youth (age 14-21) who are low income and need additional assistance in entering the workforce

Funds from the WIA can be used for any qualifying program, such as online career education programs, with the aim of giving students skills that are directly applicable in their desired career fields. In many states, additional funds are available for child care and transportation! And qualifying for the WIA doesn´t prevent you from receiving funds from other traditional sources, such as grants, scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

Angel B. is a successful beneficiary of the Workforce Investment Act. WIA funds paid for one hundred percent of an Associate degree from a local school – and she said it was well worth the time and effort.

"Immediately after graduation, I started to see the difference in how companies responded to my job application and resumé!"

When she spoke with her local unemployment agency, she already knew what career field she was interested in and the school she wanted to attend. Her preparation made the process quick and easy. Within a few short weeks of beginning the application process, she was already in classes paid for by WIA money.

If you are interested in benefiting from the Workforce Investment Act and going to school while unemployed, contact your local unemployment office for information on your eligibility to receive government money for school. The U.S. Department of Labor provides funds for career education – take advantage of it!