Many job seekers assume going back to school or earning an industry-recognized credential requires taking out thousands of dollars in student loans. Under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the government provides individual training accounts (ITAs)—grant funds that do not need to be repaid—to train underemployed, unemployed, and low-income workers for in-demand careers.
1. What Is WIOA and Who Operates It?
WIOA is administered locally through a nationwide network of nearly 2,400 American Job Centers (also known as Career Centers or One-Stop Centers). These physical hubs connect job seekers with local businesses and government-funded training pipelines.
The program is split into three primary target categories:
- Adult Program: Serves individuals aged 18+ facing barriers to employment, giving statutory funding priority to recipients of public assistance (SNAP, TANF, SSI) and low-income individuals.
- Dislocated Worker Program: Supports workers who lost their jobs through permanent plant closures, corporate downsizing, or foreign trade displacement.
- Youth Program: Provides career exploration, paid internships, and education for youth and young adults aged 14–24 facing employment barriers.
2. What Types of Training Does WIOA Pay For?
WIOA funds cannot be spent on arbitrary classes; each state maintains an Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) focused strictly on high-growth industries experiencing regional labor shortages:
- Commercial Driving (CDL-A & CDL-B): Covers full tuition for trucking schools, including permit prep, behind-the-wheel hours, and state road testing.
- Healthcare & Allied Health: CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), Phlebotomy, Medical Billing & Coding, and Dental Assisting credentials.
- Information Technology (IT): CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and entry-level cloud support certificates.
- Skilled Trades: Welding, HVAC fundamentals, electrical helper pre-apprenticeships, and CNC machining basics.
3. How to Apply for an Individual Training Account (ITA)
1.Visit CareerOneStop.org:Find your local American Job Center.
Use the Department of Labor locator at CareerOneStop.org or call 1-877-US2-JOBS to find your county One-Stop center.
2.Attend intake and orientation:Complete the initial assessment.
Register with the state job bank and complete basic skills assessments in reading and math.
3.Meet with an assigned career counselor:Build your employment plan.
Work with your case manager to establish an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) showing why training is needed to achieve a self-sufficient wage.
4.Choose a course from the state ETPL:Select an approved school.
Select an accredited program from the state Eligible Training Provider List, submit proof of income/residency, and have the grant voucher paid directly to the institution.
