What is WIOA?
WIOA stands for Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act
WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.
How can the WIOA program help me?
WIOA offers a wide array of services to customers who may require more assistance in finding employment. WIOA does not guarantee a job but can assist customers with their job search efforts. It is the ultimate responsibility of the job seeker to secure employment.
Can WIOA pay for my training program?
Some of our customers come to us seeking financial assistance for training, but the WIOA program does not primarily focus on training.
Our main goal is to help you in finding employment, and if it is determined that a customer needs to upgrade their skills in order to be competitive in the job market, then training may be considered as an option for the customer.
In addition to determine initial eligibility, we also assess a customer current skills, work experience, educational background, and suitability to determine whether or not WIOA funding for training is beneficial. WIOA is not an entitlement program and, therefore, just because a customer wants training does not necessarily mean that the customer will receive WIOA funding for the training.
WIOA funding may not be used to retrain a customer who wants to change careers if the customer already possesses marketable skills for current employment opportunities.
What are your eligibility requirements?
General Eligibility
- Authorized to work in the United States
- Compliance with Military Selective Service Requirement for males 18 years or older
Adult Program
- Be at least 18 years or older
- Must meet low income guidelines OR be receiving SSI, TANF or SNAP benefits
Dislocated Worker Program
- Laid off or terminated from an employer
- Eligible, receiving, or exhausted Unemployment Benefits OR
- Displaced Homemaker OR
- Spouse of a member of the Armed Forces, who lost employment or became underemployed due to relocation OR
- Trade Impacted worker certified by a Department of Labor petition
Youth Program
- Be at least 17 through the age of 24
- Meets low income guidelines OR meets one or more of the following barriers: high school dropout, subject to the justice system, basic skills deficient, homeless, pregnant or parenting or have a disability.
What is the maximum amount that WIOA Funding will cover for training?
As of 11/22/2021, the maximum amount of WIOA Funding is $20,000.00 for tuition and the maximum amount for required fees, books, supplies, testing fees etc. is $12,500.00.
These maximum amounts are for the length of the training program. For example, if the training program is a one-year certificate program, a two-year associate degree or the junior & senior year of a bachelor degree leading to a credential, the maximum for any of these programs would be $20,000.00 for tuition and $12,500.00 for fees, books, supplies, etc. The training program should be able to be completed in a 2 year time period if the customer is attending full time and classes are available.
If the customer training cost exceeds the maximum WIOA funding amounts, the customer is responsible for covering the difference between WIOA Funding amounts and the remaining training cost. Please note if the cost of the training program exceeds the maximum WIOA Funding amounts, the customer must provide our office with verifiable proof of how the difference will be covered before any WIOA Funding will be spent towards the cost of the training.
Where does this money come from?
The WIOA program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by the State of Illinois through the local workforce systems.
Is WIOA Funding a loan that has to be repaid?
WIOA is not a loan and funding for the training programs is at no cost to the eligible customer. Customer receiving WIOA funding must agree to follow the WIOA Rights and Responsibilities for receiving funding.
The Rights and Responsibilities include but is not limited to maintaining regular contact with the assigned Career Specialist, progressing through training and providing a copy grades, transcripts, certificates, degrees, etc. obtained during the course of the training program. Keeping contact with the assigned Career Specialist after completing the training program for the set duration of time to include entry into employment and the 12 months of follow-up services. Customer is required to provide the assigned Career Specialist with verification of employment and copies of payroll check stubs during the 12 months of follow-up.
I believe that I am eligible to receive WIOA Funding. Where do I go to learn more?
On this website, you can complete the WIOA Training Inquiry Form, email: mcetd@co.madison.il.us, or you can contact one of our local offices for information and to see if your qualify.
Wood River Southwestern Illinois workNet Center
101 East Edwardsville Rd.
Wood River, Illinois 62095
Open M-F 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Phone: (618) 296-4301
Bond County Office Southwestern Illinois workNet Center
Kaskaskia College-Greenville Education Center
209 North Third Street, Suite C,
Greenville, IL 62246
Open: M-Th 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Phone: (618) 545-3473
The Job Center - Southwestern Illinois workNet Center
120 West Pearl Street
Jerseyville, IL 62052
Open: M-F 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Phone: (618) 498-1778
What are the steps for a customer interested in receiving WIOA Funding?
The first step in the process involves a customer being screened by a WIOA Staff Member to determine initial eligibility. Screening includes the customer completing the online WIOA Training Inquiry Form, sending an interest email to our office (mcetd@co.madison.il.us), visiting one of our offices, or calling one of our offices.
Wood River Southwestern Illinois workNet Center
101 East Edwardsville Rd.
Wood River, Illinois 62095
Open M-F 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Phone: (618) 296-4301
Bond County Office Southwestern Illinois workNet Center
Kaskaskia College-Greenville Education Center
209 North Third Street, Suite C,
Greenville, IL 62246
Open: M-Th 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Phone: (618) 545-3473
The Job Center - Southwestern Illinois workNet Center
120 West Pearl Street
Jerseyville, IL 62052
Open: M-F 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Phone: (618) 498-1778
Next, if the customer is initially eligible for the program, the customer will be invited to attend an Educational Training Workshop. The workshop will cover the remaining process, checklist, assessments, and required documentations to be completed by the customer. The customer will be assigned to a Career Specialist that will walk the customer through the process and assist the customer in determining a new career path.
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