Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Leading by example, Madlen Kurutan became an accountant by navigating one of the hardest courses at Naugatuck Valley Community College. She persisted through the pandemic, first in person, then through Zoom. After several years and 3000+ hours of work, she now has a good job and a professional bookkeeping certification. Madlen's courses were paid for through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) administered by the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB).

• Job Search Assistance: WIOA provides job seekers with access to resources, tools (like computers, printers, etc.), and guidance to conduct an effective job search. This includes assistance with creating or updating resumes, writing cover letters, and preparing for job interviews. 

• Career Counseling and Guidance: Career Navigators at AJCs can help individuals identify their skills, interests, and career goals. They offer personalized guidance to explore potential career pathways and make informed decisions about training and employment opportunities.

• Skills Assessment: WIOA-funded programs may offer skills assessments to evaluate a job seeker's current skills and identify areas for improvement or potential training needs. This assessment helps individuals understand their strengths and weaknesses in the job market. CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems) Testing may be required for participation in certain programs.

• Training and Education Opportunities: WIOA provides access to various training programs, including on-the-job training, apprenticeships, vocational training, and educational courses. These opportunities are designed to equip individuals with the skills and credentials needed for in-demand jobs.

• Workshops and Work Readiness Training: Workshops and training sessions cover topics such as job readiness, soft skills development, communication, time management, and workplace etiquette. These sessions aim to enhance a job seeker's employability and readiness for the workforce.

• Support Services: Supportive services, such as transportation assistance, and childcare support may be provided at no-cost through WIOA.

• Reemployment Services for Dislocated Workers: For individuals who have lost their jobs due to layoffs or business closures, WIOA offers reemployment services tailored to their specific needs. These services can include job search assistance, training, and other support to help them quickly re-enter the workforce.

• Job Placement Assistance: WIOA-funded programs may provide job placement assistance by connecting qualified job seekers with employers who have current job openings that match their skills and qualifications.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) offers several services to employers. These include job matching and referral, On-the-Job Training (OJT), customized training programs, and incumbent worker training for skill upgrades. Employers also have access to comprehensive labor market information, job fairs, recruitment events, and rapid response services in case of layoffs. WIOA supports registered apprenticeship programs and helps employers utilize tax credits like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. 

• Access to a Skilled Workforce: WIOA-funded programs and services aim to prepare job seekers with the skills and training needed to meet employers' specific workforce needs. This can include customizing training programs to address specific skill gaps in a particular industry or occupation.

• On-the-Job Training (OJT) Programs: WIOA may subsidize part of the wages for new hires if employers provide on-the-job training opportunities to individuals who may need additional skills to perform the job effectively. This incentivizes employers to hire and train individuals who may not possess all the required qualifications but show potential.

• Tax Credits and Incentives*: Some states and local workforce boards offer tax credits and other incentives to employers who hire eligible WIOA participants. These incentives can help offset the cost of hiring and training new employees.

• Recruitment Assistance: Staff can assist employers with recruiting qualified candidates for job openings. They often have access to a pool of job seekers who have undergone training and are seeking employment.

• Employee Training and Upskilling: In some cases, WIOA may support employer-based training programs to upgrade the skills of current employees, helping businesses stay competitive and adapt to changing market demands.

• Rapid Response Services: During times of layoffs or closures, WIOA can provide rapid response services to affected businesses and workers, offering resources for retraining, outplacement, and other support services.

Visit our “Resources for Employers” webpage to learn more.

*The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring and employing individuals from certain targeted groups who have faced significant barriers to employment. Our office can assist with paperwork requirements to claim WOTC, but we are not licensed to help prepare your taxes. Contact your preferred Tax Accountant for more information.

• Customer Information Sheet (fillable PDF)
• Self Certification Sheet (fillable PDF)
• Grievance procedure.
• Your Rights and Benefits.
• Signature page of your Rights and Benefits.
• Consent to release information.
• Equal Opportunity Notice. 
• REL of Info Document.

An individual who has been laid off or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment, An individual who was self-employed but is now unemployed due to economic factors, natural disasters, or other circumstances beyond their control that resulted in the discontinuation of their self-employment, An individual who was providing unpaid services to the family (such as a stay-at-home parent or homemaker), but is no longer supported by the income of another family member and is unemployed or underemployed, An individual who has been unemployed for an extended period and has had difficulty finding new employment opportunities, or Workers who were employed at a plant, facility, or enterprise that has closed or undergone a substantial layoff. This category may also include individuals who have been impacted by a significant shift in the type of skills required for their occupation due to technological advancements or changes in the industry.

To be classified as a Dislocated Worker, you must go through a certification process. You can become certified as eligible at any American Job Center.

Dislocated Worker no-cost services for job seekers include: 

• Job Training
• Career development specialists for job search and career assistance 
• Connecticut's Job Bank, an electronic listing of more than 1 million jobs
• Computers for job seeking and researching the labor market
• An electronic talent bank for posting résumés
• Computers, phones and fax machines
• A wide variety of career workshops
• Possible funds for training (based on need)
• Certified professional résumé writers

The Dislocated Worker program is not an entitlement program. Funding for training is based on individual need and funds availability. Training must be short-term, lead to an occupation in demand, and be approved by the Department of Labor prior to enrollment.

The Dislocated Worker program is not an entitlement program. Funding for training is based on individual need and funds availability. Training must be short-term, lead to an occupation in demand, and be approved by the Department of Labor prior to enrollment.

If you are enrolled in a training program that has been pre-approved by the Department of Labor, you can continue to collect Unemployment Compensation (up to the full 26 weeks only) and be exempt from the work search requirements while you are in training.

No. When a training plan has been approved, the Dislocated Worker program operator writes a grant with the training facility for the cost of tuition and related fees. Since funds go directly to the school, and not the Dislocated Worker, no reimbursement can be made.

Once you have been given an individual layoff notice and have been certified as a Dislocated Worker, you are eligible for services. If you have not been given an individual layoff notice, but you are employed at a facility for which your employer has made a public announcement of a planned closure and you are not likely to remain employed with your employer, or retire, you are eligible for certain Dislocated Worker services.

No.