Workforce Development Act (WIA)

Funder: Career Alliance
Amount: $2,044,174
Funding Period: 7/01/2007-6/30/2009

The WIA programs offer services in both Genesee and Shiawassee Counties to individuals who are seeking employment and/or skills to obtain better employment.  Services are available for unemployed and underemployed adults age 18 and older, dislocated workers who are laid off or facing lay-off, and youth ages 19-21 years of age through the following programs:  Adult Worker Program, Dislocated Worker Program, Incumbent Worker Program, and Year-Round Youth Program.  In addition, the Employment Services program is offered in Shiawassee County.  WIA Programs are funded through Career Alliance, Inc. for two year periods.  The current programs are funded through June 30, 2009.

Adult Worker Program
The Adult Worker Program is designed for individuals searching to become employed and self-sufficient.  Eligible individuals must be 18 years of age and older, and registered with selective services (if applicable.)  The program provides three levels of services based on the Workforce Investment Act model which consists of secondary core services, intensive services and training services.  Secondary core services involve individual job development, screened referrals, and follow-up.  Intensive services are designed for individuals who are unable to obtain employment through secondary services.  Intensive services involve more comprehensive assessments of an individual’s skills level, development of an individual employment plan, individual counseling, and case management.  Training services, the last component of the program, is intended for individuals unable to obtain employment through intensive services and are designed to equip individuals to enter the workforce and retain employment through various skills training.

Dislocated Worker Program
The Dislocated Worker Program is designed for individuals who have been terminated or laid off and who are eligible for or have exhausted their unemployment compensation, as well as those displaced homemakers and self-employed individuals who are unemployed as a result of general economic conditions.  Eligible individuals must be 18 years of age or older and registered with selective services (if applicable.)  The program provides three levels of services based on the Workforce Investment Act model which consists of secondary core services, intensive services and training services.  Secondary core services involve individual job development, screened referrals, and follow-up.  Intensive services are designed for individuals who are unable to obtain employment through secondary services.  Intensive services involve specialized assessments of an individual’s skills level, development of an employment plan, individual counseling, out-of-area job searches, and case management.  Training services, the last component of the program, is intended for individuals unable to obtain employment through intensive services and are designed to equip individuals to enter the workforce and retain employment through various skills training.

Incumbent Worker Program
The Incumbent Worker Program addresses the needs of the working poor and underemployed by providing training to help with skill upgrades to increase career opportunities.  As well, the program furthers job retention and career development for improving economic self-sufficiency for employed workers including those most vulnerable to job loss by supporting projects that increases the capability of companies to access and retain skilled workers.  Training for workers include basic education in math, grammar, reading; use of software applications (i.e. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel); and teamwork skills training to upgrade existing skills or provide new skills.  Supportive services, primarily transportation and/or childcare, are available for those eligible for training services but cannot afford to pay for such services.

Year-Round Youth Program
The Year-Round Youth Program serves low-income individuals between the ages of 19-21 who have one or more of the following employment barriers: deficient in basic literacy skills, school drop-out, homeless, runaway, foster child, pregnant or a parent, an offender, or require additional assistance to complete an education including a youth with disability.  Additional eligibility requirements include registration with selective services if male.  The purpose of the Year-Round Youth Program is to provide eligible youth with exposure to the workplace; enable youth to work effectively in a team approach; learn ways to solve problems as well as experience success; gain confidence and increase self-esteem; improve employability skills; demonstrate coordination with other community service organizations; enhance basic skills; improve retention and encourage school completion or enrollment in an alternative school program; improve academic performance, including math and reading comprehension; and to enhance youth citizenship skills.  Program participants are provided basic education classes, pre-employment work maturity sessions, occupational skills/classroom training, basic introduction to computers, career exploration, and job readiness workshops.

Employment Services
The Employment Services Program, implemented in Shiawassee County to assist in sustaining the One Stop delivery system, is designed to foster increased accessibility for both job seekers and employers.  The program allows job seekers to enter resumes and register for employment using the Michigan Talent Bank as well as other employment websites; access a resource room which includes materials on various occupations and business/industry directories; and utilize modes of communication (e.g. phone, fax) to contact prospective employers.  Staff are available to assist job seekers with job readiness training, in obtaining employment leads, match job seekers with specific employers through the a customized approach, as well as assist employers in searching for suitable workers.  A key component of the program is the linkage to other job training and skill development programs within the community.