What is WIA? It’s Not Welfare Or An Entitlement. It’s Work First!

What is WIA?
It’s Not Welfare Or An Entitlement.
It’s Work First!
Visit our Career Center for Job Opportunities!
Setting the standard for service.
Workforce Solutions Center Locations
Falls County
Workforce Solutions Center
230 Coleman Street
Marlin, TX 76661
p: (254) 883-5678
f: (254) 883-3778
Hill County
Workforce Solutions Center
233 E. Elm Street
Hillsboro, TX 76645
p: (254) 582-8588
f: (254) 582-8182
Freestone County
Workforce Solutions Center
517 Main Street
Teague, TX 75860
p: (254) 739-2887
f: (254) 739-5151
McLennan County
Workforce Solutions Center
1416 S. New Road
Waco, TX 76711
p: (866) 982-9226
f: (254) 754-8914
Workforce Investment Act
A Job Search Assistance Program
The Heart of Texas Workforce Development Board, Inc. is an equal opportunity
employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to
include individuals with disabilities. TTY/TDD via RELAY Texas service at 711 or
(TDD) 1-800-735-2989 / 1-800-735-2988 (voice).
The Workforce Investment Act
Levels of Service
On June 30, 1999, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman authorized Texas
to begin implementing the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The WIA
requires states to streamline and consolidate their job training systems by
creating a ‘one-stop’ approach to delivery of services. WIA not only replaces
the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) but moreover establishes a new
workforce development system for the nation.
WIA provides a service delivery system
that includes the following services for
adults, dislocated workers, and youth:
The purpose of the act is to provide workforce investment activities that increase the employment, retention and earnings of participants and increase
occupational skills attainment by participants. In turn, there will be an improvement to the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and
enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation’s economy.
The aim of the Texas Workforce System is to assist individuals to find
employment as soon as possible.
McLennan County Workforce Solutions Center
1416 S. New Road
Waco, TX 76711
p: (254) 754-5421
f: (254) 754-8914
1 (866) 982-9226 toll-free
1 (800) RELAY-TX
1 (800) 735-2988 voice
1 (800) RELAY x1
WIA Program Eligibility Criteria
The WIA established a Workforce One-Stop System to provide services
to the following:
Youth Services
• Citizens or eligible non-citizens
• Ages 14–21 that are low income
and possess one of the following
six specific barriers:
• Deficient in basic skills/below
Dislocated Workers
grade level
• Ages 18 and above
• School drop-out
• Citizens or eligible non-citizens
• Homeless/runaway youth
• Workers who have been terminated,
laid-off, received a notice of layoff, or • Pregnant or parenting
• Offender
is a displaced homemaker
• Disabled
• Requires additional assistance to
complete an educational program
or to secure and hold employment
Adults
• Ages 18 and above
• Meet income requirements
• Citizens or eligible non-citizens
Core Services include outreach and
recruitment, labor market information,
employment service information, job
search utilities, UI claims, information
on supportive services, job referrals,
orientation to full resources from other
programs (WIA, Welfare-to-Work,
Choices, Food Stamp Employment &
Training), and other self-service activities at low or no cost.
Staff Assisted Core Services (with
WIA staff) include WIA eligibility
determination, initial assessments,
job search seminars, job search assistance, job placement assistance,
career counseling, supportive services,
follow-up meetings and other staff assisted services.
Youth Services include WIA programs
that prepare youth to enter the workforce or to advance to post secondary
education or other occupational skills
training.
Intensive Services include comprehensive assessments such as the Test
for Adult Basic Education (TABE),
development of the Individual Employment Plan (IEP), group counseling,
case management for participants
seeking training, supportive services,
short-term pre-vocational training and
follow-up meetings.
Training Services include occupational
skills training in a demand occupation on the State Vendors List, WIA
Training Provider Certification System,
Adult Literacy Education, skills upgrading, customized training, retraining,
workplace training, entrepreneur training, supportive services and follow-up
meetings.
Stepping Up To Success
Everyone knows that not earning a decent living is no fun and some people
are finding it impossible to secure a
job. However, there is help available.
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
can assist you with job searches
and training. The following five steps
should get you started on your way.
1. Orientation
2. Basic Core Service Appointment,
Eligibility Determination for WIA,
Job Search & Job Search Seminar,
Exit with job placement
3. Intensive Services Comprehensive
Assessments, Individual Employment Plan (IEP), TABE Assessments, Exit with job placement
4. Training Services - WIA Individualized Training, Exit with job
placement
5. Follow-up Contact with WIA
Career Counselor for a year after
job placement to report wages