Youth Program Overview
WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNTY ACT (WIOA)
Purpose:
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Youth Program provides services to disconnected youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers to employment. Youth gain access to WIOA services through local youth workforce training providers throughout the state.
Bringing together local youth workforce training providers, public service agencies, community organizations, businesses; is an approach that ensures coordination of youth funds and services in the community, and creates a youth services network that is closely linked to the labor market trends. In addition, Virginia’s Opportunity Youth, what is defined as youth who are not connected to school or employment are an important part of the new workforce “supply pipeline” that employers need to fill job vacancies in a knowledge-driven economy.
Service strategies developed by Virginia’s youth workforce providers prepare youth for employment and/or post-secondary education through strong linkages between academic and occupational learning. Please contact the local youth workforce training providers in your area for specific program services and eligibility requirements: local youth WIOA program providers.
WIOA youth programs focus on the following themes:
PREPARATION FOR AND SUCCESS IN EMPLOYMENT
- Paid and unpaid work experiences;
- Jobs training;
- Education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster;
- Entrepreneurial skills training;
- Services that provide labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations available in the local area, such as career awareness, career counseling, and career exploration services;
IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
- Tutoring, study skills training, instruction, that lead to completion of the requirements for a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (including a recognized certificate of attendance or similar document for individuals with disabilities) or for a recognized postsecondary credential;
- Alternative secondary school services, or dropout recovery services; and
- Activities that help youth prepare for and transition to postsecondary education and training;
SUPPORT FOR YOUTH
- Supportive services;
- Adult mentoring;
- Follow-up services; and
- Comprehensive guidance and counseling;
SERVICES TO DEVELOP THE POTENTIAL OF YOUTH AS CITIZENS AND LEADERS
- Leadership development opportunities;
- Financial literacy education.
If you have questions regarding Virginia’s WIOA Youth Programs, please contact Robert Henry, WIOA State Youth Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] or 804-819-1686.