Explore Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Career Transition Services

Do you lack marketable skills necessary to stay competitive in today’s job market? Were you recently separated from employment through no fault of your own? The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) might be able to help. WIA is a federally-funded program designed to minimize the impact of job loss and to create a pathway for job seekers to obtain employment. WIA services are designed to increase employment retention, earnings and occupational skills attainment for adult and dislocated workers.

WIA Intensive Job Search Services
-Assistance with job leads
-Resume assistance and critique
-Education and career assessments
-Employment Readiness workshops and assessments to assist you with your employment search and career readiness

Who Is Eligible?
-Adults (over age 18) who need support finding and keeping employment
-Dislocated Workers - Workers who have recently been laid off through no fault of their own and who do not have employable skills or current certification
-Displaced Homemakers - Unemployed spouses who are/have been affected by a layoff, divorce, legal separation or death of a spouse

WIA Talent Development Services (Training Assistance)
Talent Development is an option available through WIA to customers who complete the 3 Step WIA process and have been determined to lack marketable and/or possess outdated skills to stay competitive in their identified industry. 

WIA Limitations
Industries and occupations are subject to current regional labor market data, and training within industries and/or occupations demonstrating over saturation or low growth potential cannot be approved unless participant can provide documentation or a pre-hire letter that the industry training requested will result in wages leading to self-sufficiency (subject to training board approval). 

WIA cannot provide training assistance or reimburse for costs incurred prior to program eligibility, enrollment and approval for training. If you have already started a training program, WIA Programs will only assist with intensive job search services during and after training. Training will not be approved if you have enrolled in any short-term training program prior to WIA eligibility determination and training approval by Arapahoe/Douglas Works! (no exceptions).

WIA may support occupational training that is of an entrepreneurial nature only in a Workforce Investment Board identified targeted industry (restrictions apply). 

Any issues that might prevent you from being successful in employment and training must be addressed prior to enrollment in the WIA program. These may include but are not limited to: homelessness, legal issues preventing employment, health concerns. Workforce Specialists can refer participants to community partners that might be able to assist with barriers to employment prior to Talent Development consideration.

Learn about WIA Enrollment