18 Sep WIOA Spring Training: Start now for 2016!
“Spring training” is a deceptive title: spring training for baseball starts as early as February. And the spring quarter or semester at your local college or university actually begins in January. So although the temperature is warm now, it’s time to think about the winter. Admission deadlines at many institutions are rapidly approaching.
Through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), NCWorks can provide sponsorship for eligible and suitable clients to attend on-location or online classes. WIOA-sponsored classroom training program by must lead to an industry-recognized credential in a career area considered an occupation-in-demand.
If you’re interested in getting WIOA Classroom Training funds for post-secondary educational programs that start in January, the time to get started in the process is now!
NCWorks is committed to providing world-class career-development counseling to each job-seeker; training is only one component of how we help you become a better job-seeker, and ultimately, employed. If you’re new to our system, here’s our four-step WIOA intake process:
- attend orientation to learn more about NCWorks’ services and resources, including WIOA;
- meet with a career coach for career counseling;
- meet with an intake specialist to submit the required documentation; and
- meet with a training coordinator to discuss your training options.
To begin the process, you must first register and build a profile on NCWorks Online. When you’ve done that, go to the events calendar and register to attend the workshop titled “Orientation and WIOA Info Session.” At this session, you’ll get the details on the WIOA Classroom Training eligibility requirements, training options and providers, required documents and additional tasks to complete. After orientation, we’ll guide you through each of the remaining steps of the intake process.
The orientation and WIOA information sessions are held at your NCWorks Career Centers on W. Morehead Street and Executive Center Drive and they fill up fast! You’ll need to keep checking the events calendar for cancellations so you can take a slot as it opens up.
If you can’t attend an orientation and WIOA information session by the end of October, your chances of completing the process and obtaining your training voucher for a program that begins in January will be slim.
Typically, you can expect to complete the WIOA intake process between 30 and 60 days.
Remember: you are responsible for the amount of time it takes to complete the process. If you’re missing documents or don’t complete the additional tasks, you may have to schedule multiple appointments and thus will have delays.
Conversely, when you obtain all the required documents and complete all the tasks as and when requested, you’ll experience a much more efficient intake process.
Here are some other things you can do to help yourself through the process:
- Be proactive and prepared by researching training programs and schools on NCWorks Online.
- Always have a Plan B or C: look at alternate start-dates at your preferred training provider or find an alternate provider that has a different start date.
- Take advantage of the workshops (resume development, interview strategies) at NCWorks to bolster your chances of employment while working through the four steps of the intake process. You can register for any workshop on NCWorks Online.
Things to know about WIOA Classroom Training*
- You must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED to qualify.
- The training in which you’re interested must be “in demand” in the Charlotte area. Review our occupations-in-demand list to make sure your area of interest is on it.
- There’s a limit to the funds you can get, both on annual and lifetime bases.
- Funds can be used for tuition, fees, books, tools and testing and certification fees.
- You must complete your training within six sequential semesters (two years) or less.
- Do not register for a class or make a payment commitment before you’ve met with our WIOA team and completed the enrollment process.
*The legislation that previously funded classroom and on-the-job training, WIA (Workforce Investment Act), became WIOA (the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) on July 1, 2015. While we don’t anticipate major changes to the rules that govern the distribution of these funds, we’re still awaiting federal rulings about how WIOA will be administered. We’re also working to streamline the WIOA enrollment process. Changes may occur in the next 60 to 90 days. Stay tuned for information as it becomes available from your NCWorks Career Centers.
Classroom Training Fast Facts
(For the program year from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015; includes both classroom and on-the-job training)
- 606 clients served with WIA* funding
- $1.67 million invested in training
(*WIA: Workforce Investment Act; preceded the new WIOA legislation that became effective July 1, 2015)
Image courtesy of Idea go at FreeDigitalPhotos.net