Employment and Training Programs
Region 1 Employment and Training (WIA) (PJ)
UERPC administers the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in Allamakee, Clayton,
Chickasaw, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties. The agency provides employment and
training opportunities for low-income individuals and other special groups. WIA offers
assistance through classroom, pre-employment and on-the-job-training. The programs offer
financial incentives to businesses who participate in on-the-job training. UERPC also
administers the Promise Jobs Program (PJ) to assist welfare recipients in becoming self-sufficient.
The various programs are summarized as follows:
Workforce Investment Act
- Provides career information and placement assistance to adults and low-income youth.
- Provides training and support assistance to low income adults and dislocated workers who
have lost their jobs due to layoffs or plant closings and are unlikely to return to that
business or occupation.
- Provides a variety of services including career exploration, basic skills development, job
seeking skills, occupational training and support assistance to low-income youth. Within
WIA, there are three programs: Adult, Dislocated Worker and the Youth program.
Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs
Vision: Under WIA, the vision for
Iowa’s Workforce Development System is to provide an efficient, effective and convenient system for:
- Job-seekers to find jobs;
- Employers to locate new workers; and
- Job-seekers and employers to access information that will assist them in developing their
career and business plans.
Youth Programs
Eligibility for the Youth Program (ages 14-21) is based on household income guidelines
and other criteria. WIA requires that an array of services be made available to you. These available
youth services are:
- Tutoring, study skills training and instruction leading to secondary school completion,
including drop-out prevention strategies;
- Alternative secondary school offerings;
- Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning;
- Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing;
- Occupational skills training;
- Leadership development opportunities;
- Support services;
- Adult mentoring for a duration of at least 10 months;
- Post-program services; and
- Comprehensive guidance and counseling.
Promise Jobs Program
Iowa’s “Welfare Reform“ is funded by the Department of Human Services and
co-administered by Iowa Workforce Development and the Workforce Investment Act. This
program assists welfare recipients in the development and implementation of an individualized
plan for achieving self-sufficiency. Placement, training and support services are provided.
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