Employers

• The “One-Stop” centers assist businesses by assessing their needs and screening prospective employees for both personal and technical skills. As an incentive to hire unemployed adults, the WIA allows a 50 to 90 percent reimbursement of the training costs, depending on the size of the company. The training time is limited to six months. During that time the employer must provide opportunities for the worker to become competent in the required work skills and must present records to substantiate the reimbursement. Employers are forbidden from laying off or terminating employees in order to fill the slots with trainees.
  
  

Youth

• Low income, at-risk youth between the ages of 14 and 21 years old are eligible for the program. The youth component of the WIA is funded through the Wagner-Peyser Act, which is a part of “One-Stop” career development. According to the Department of Labor, the youth allotment in California for 2011 is $117,952,080. The local WIBs allow partners who provide youth services to compete for contracts, or they are given grants. Each partner who provides youth services is required to evaluate the youth’s performance and report to the WIB. However, California received an extension of a waiver to this requirement until 2012.
  
  

Adult

• To participate in services through the comprehensive “One-Stop” centers, adults must be at least 18 years of age or they must be veterans or disabled. The program provides benefits such as adult education, literacy training, referrals to counselors and job search help. Adults must enroll in WIA and receive core services, such as skills assessment and goal setting, before they can receive intensive services, such as completion of an individual employment plan (IEP). After fulfilling both precursors to work experience, they may be ready for training services, such as on-the-job training. According to the Department of Labor, the allotment for the California adult program for 2011 was $113, 937, 862.
  
  

Dislocated Workers

• Workers who have been laid off, or whose companies have downsized or maybe even closed, are considered dislocated workers. The WIA provides support services, such as occupational skills training, insurance needs and financial counseling referrals. Funds are granted on a yearly basis beginning July 1, and they must be spent during the subsequent 12-month period; however, the WIB may request an extension up to 18 months. The governor may also reserve up to 25 percent of funds for projects or services which workers may need in addition to those mandated in the legislation.