The Workforce Investment Act’s (WIA) intent is to offer youth a wide range of services through coordination of many programs.  These services include assistance in academic and occupational learning, leadership skills, higher education, additional training and eventual employment. 

The services are provided through local workforce investment programs based on the needs of that community.  The local workforce investment area oversees and support these youth programs and coordination with other services operators.

Ten program services that will be available to youth participants who need them are:

• Tutoring, study skills training and assistance in completing secondary school, including dropout prevention services
• Alternative secondary school services
• Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning
• Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing
• Occupational skills training
• Leadership development opportunities
• Supportive services, such as transportation, child-care, etc.
• Adult mentoring for twelve months
• Follow-up services
• Comprehensive guidance and counseling

WIA YOUTH ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to receive services through the Workforce Investment Act, you must meet the following guidelines:

age 14 through 21 and low income, and within one or more of the following categories:

• not meeting the minimum basic literacy skills level
• school dropout
• homeless, runaway, or foster child
• pregnant or parenting youth
• offender
• is an individual (including a youth with a disability) who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment.

Up to five percent of youth participants serviced by youth programs in a local area may be individuals who are not low income, but who meet one of the above categories or an additional category determined by the local area.