Your Top 4 Questions About the WIOA Program & Funding

When you need to change careers, finding the money to get training can be tough. Fortunately, the WIOA program can take some of that weight off your shoulders.

Short for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, WIOA is a government grant that helps people learn skills and find work. Whether you’re just learning about WIOA or you’ve done a little bit of research, you probably have a lot of questions about how it works and how it applies to your career training. Don’t worry! For every question, there’s an answer.

Let’s jump right in.

1. What Is WIOA Supposed to Do?

The government created WIOA to connect job seekers with the training, education and job search help they need to succeed. It’s a mutually beneficial program for workers and employers—you get support for landing a job, and the employer gets someone who’s highly qualified and ready to do the work.

2. Who’s Eligible for WIOA Funds?

The WIOA is designed for people who are underemployed or unemployed and who face barriers to getting a good job. There are opportunities for youth ages 14 to 24, adults and dislocated workers.

The government defines dislocated workers as people who have lost their jobs and don’t expect to be able to get another job in the same field. That includes people who worked in manufacturing facilities that recently closed down or are about to close down. It also includes homemakers who have lost their source of income and self-employed workers who don’t have good enough opportunities to earn.

3. What Kinds of Programs Accept WIOA Funding?

The WIOA funds programs that train you for a specific job or career field. Many WIOA-approved programs, like those you’ll see at MedCerts, prepare you to earn a professional credential like Certified Clinical Medical Assistant or Certified Billing and Coding Specialist.

At MedCerts, we offer multiple programs where you can earn more than one certification. If you're hoping to move into a career as a Medical Assistant, we offer three online Medical Assistant programs depending on what certifications you are interested in.

You don’t have to be developing a completely new skill set to get WIOA funding. You might be retraining in a field where you originally learned on the job, or you might be upgrading your skills to qualify for better job opportunities. For example, if you’re a self-taught IT consultant, you could qualify to earn a CompTIA certification and be more competitive in the job market.

4. How Can I Access the WIOA to Get Funding?

You can check your eligibility for the WIOA program online on the American Job Centers website.

The eligibility checker is a two-part questionnaire. The first question asks whether you’re employed, unemployed, under-employed or retired. The second lets you indicate whether you need help with particular challenges, including training or retraining for job skills.

To apply for benefits, you’ll need to go through your case manager or visit your local American Job Centers location. It’s a good idea to call the location ahead of time and ask what paperwork you’ll need to apply, so you can have it with you when you go.

Get Started with WIOA Today

If you qualify for WIOA funding, you can find a variety of programs to choose from through MedCerts. You'll get high-quality training that prepares you for career certification in in-demand fields like healthcare, IT and machine work. MedCerts also partners with American Job Centers across the United States, helping you to find a position quickly and put your training to work right away.

Ready to make our next career move (or your first)? Get in touch with MedCerts today and find out how we can help to get you into the workforce.