Has anyone used WIA funding for school?

DJtrucker, I would suggest giving your local workforce Center a call and ask for a WIA case worker.
I found this link that may help you also:
http://www.careeronestop.org/wiaprovidersearch.asp

Best to You!!!

 

I have the requirements sheet right in front of me:

 

is that either or or both or??

 

General Academic Requirements:
1. Possess either a GED or High School Diploma
2. Score, minimally at 9th grade level in Reading and Math [/QUOTE]

The educational requirements may differ from state to state, check with your local workforce center to determine what is required of their WIA participants.
All participants are required to take the Work Keys test, in which you must score the minimum required.
If the participant does not score within the minimum, they will offer classes that will help to bring the individual scores up.

Best to You!!!

 

I used WIA. Applied and had it in less than a week and started CDL class the very next week!

 

I, on the other hand, qualify.... and am now in the waiting game for the local career center to get more funding.... lol

 

I also am using WIA, had to wait a month due to their budget...Take the time to get your docs in order, birth cert., DD214(if applicable), MVR, selective service number, TABE test, physical and drug screen(they wouldn't process app until I had those done)...Good luck!

UPDATE: I thought it was all done until I got a call this morning from the WIA rep who told me my funds are approved!...Thank god, as I was scheduled to start school on Monday, all good now!!!!!...I applied on August 27 so you can see the timeframe I went thru...

 

I used WIA in Virginia. Took about 14 days to qualify and attend the required courses. The courses were an issue. Had I waited for them to be available at the work force center it would have taken months. I searched for the courses at other centers and finally resorted to going to the Good Will employment center and spoke with one of their counselors. She designed one on one classes for me designed to satisfy the classes I could not find locally. The WIA rep was great, though a bit overworked and she got me into school quickly.
Max

 

I can tell that you were in IT. Your "/ begin RANT" and "/ end RANT" comments gave you away. You must be good at commenting your code. I like that.

I am in a situation similar to yours. I have a degree, have been in IT for 20+ years, and have worked as a contractor for the last several years. I got downsized and lost my last contract 16 months ago due to this lousy economy and a corporate restructure, and haven't found anything since. I've been watching the job boards every day and have responded to all I can, and although I've had a couple of interviews, nothing concrete has materialized.

I have always loved to drive, and can drive just about anything with wheels on it. I am seriously looking into leaving IT behind and driving professionally.

I'm amazed that the WIA person told you that THEY would decide what career path you would get training for. Maybe I am misunderstanding, but that took some nerve, didn't it? What is this -- Russia? Did this person have a portrait of Lenin over his desk? I'll not have someone else tell me what career path I'll take, thank you very much.

I have had similar concerns as you, about getting on the hook for several grand and getting laid off or fired for some Mickey Mouse reason and I owe them money. That's a valid concern, and would be something that I'd have to insist was clearly defined in writing up front. Otherwise, it would be like giving them a signed, blank check, and I'm not about to do that.

I'm very sorry to hear about your difficulties. I know this isn't much help, but please know that you are not alone.

Driving school certainly isn't cheap. You can buy a decent car for what they're charging. I will be looking into WIA and other types financial aid to fund driving school. I'll try to post and keep everyone informed about what I find out. Please do the same.

 

I'm in under WIA also. It took about 2 months for the final approval.

Chevy_Dude, it sounds like your case worker and/or Career Center are not following Federal guidelines. This is a Federal program, and as such it should be the same no matter which state you are in.

You should be able to choose whichever field you want, so long as you have an aptitude for it (which is shown by the tests you have to take). One of the things this program is set up for is to retrain workers that have been displaced from their previous field of employment -in a different field of employment.
I was a computer tech, and it was no problem for me to choose truck driving.

Perhaps you should ask for a different adviser?

And WIA is not something that has to be paid back by anyone. (Well, except the taxpayers - which you will be once again, once you are back to work. And then, you will be helping that next individual that needs a job.)

It's a great program if you qualify for it.