Job Training and Adult Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Question:
What types of education and training programs
are available for adults seeking to improve their job skills?
Answer:
A variety of options are available to adults. They include:
- Apprenticeship training in various occupations through a combination
of supervised on-the-job instruction and related classroom
instruction.
- On-the-Job Training, training provided at the work-site that
ranges from a month to over one year and is sometimes provided
along with classroom training.
- Pre-employment training is provided directly to a labor pool
in order to help them qualify for jobs in advance of becoming
employees.
- Vocational education or career and technical education, the
majority of which is provided at the high school level and
by community colleges.
- College education, typically this is a four year program that grants the student a bachelor's degree at the completion of study.
Question: What kind of services can human service agencies provide?
Answer: Typically human service agencies provide the following:
- job placement and career planning
- skill development through work-based learning and efforts to combine education and training with work
- identification of growth opportunities in various employment sectors, and
- supportive services such as child care subsidies, housing and transportation assistance.
Question:
What education and training services can
be provided under TANF?
Answer: Allowable work activities under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) provide individuals an opportunity to obtain the necessary skills to become self sufficient from the TANF program. These skills my include on-the-job training, limited education opportunities, subsidized and unsubsidized employment, work experience, community service, education directly related to employment, and jobs skills training directly related to employment.
Question: What is the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act (PRWORA)?
Answer: The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) is a comprehensive bipartisan welfare reform plan signed into law by President Clinton that dramatically changed the nation's welfare system into one that requires work in exchange for
time-limited assistance. The bill contains strong work requirements, a performance bonus to reward states for moving welfare recipients into jobs, state maintenance of effort requirements, comprehensive child support enforcement, and supports for families moving from welfare to work that included increased funding for child care and guaranteed medical coverage.
Question:
How can I find out about educational and training opportunities
in my state?
Answer:
The Career
One Stop Center is a collection of nationwide employment and career information on the Internet that provides links to education and training opportunities,
testing and assessment, and certification requirements.
America’s
Service Locator, a web site operated by the U.S. Department of
Labor, can help you identify the one-stop center closest to you. You
will be asked to enter your zip code and/or city and state. You
can then choose from the type of service (education and training,
job search, etc.) you need and a list of contacts will be provided.
For direct assistance, you can call 1-877-US-2JOBS.
See the Rural Assistance Center's Health Education Financial Aid Information Guide for locating education fellowships as well as funding for pursuing higher education.
Question: What is the Workforce Investment Act of 1998?
Answer: The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), which replaced the Job Training Partnership Act, significantly altered the federally funded system for job training and other employment-related services. WIA's key components include a customer-focused system to serve businesses and individuals, the one-stop approach to service delivery, a market-driven system for training, performance accountability, and enhanced youth services. Consolidates, coordinates, and improves employment, training, literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs in the United States.
Question: How do I find information about transportation programs in my area that will assist in getting to work?
Answer: Information on transportation options should be available at local human service offices, local transit authorities, community and faith-based organizations, and regional planning organizations. Contact your local county social service agency, your community action agency, and/or call 2-1-1 if this service is available, to find out what programs are in your area. If at the local level you are not finding out sufficient information call your state RTAP office.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration's One-Stop Centers system provides job, career, and workforce information for workers, jobseekers, and employers and also may provide transportation information geared to the needs of low-income workers and job seekers. If the one-stop centers do not provide sufficient information you may need to contact the agencies listed above. For additional information about transportation issues in rural areas see RAC's Transportation Information Guide.
Question: What funding sources are available to support job retention and advancement?
Answer: States generally fund employed worker training programs from two or more offices, including those responsible for workforce development, economic development, and TANF education and training funds; most of these offices coordinate their training efforts formally and informally. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and funding through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) can support services and programs that promote job retention and career advancement. TANF agencies have the flexibility to extend eligibility for work supports and employment related activities to all low-income families, not just welfare recipients. TANF funds can be used to support post-employment services, job training, and tuition assistance. WIA funds can be used to support on-the-job training, customized training, and incumbent worker training through the development of individual training accounts.
Information regarding other sources of funds available to support job retention and advancement programs may be available from the county social service agency, the local community action program, and the county extension office. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds may be used in conjunction with economic development activities. In addition, most states have state-funded incumbent worker programs, which are financed through state general fund appropriations, the unemployment insurance program, and the sale of bonds or a combination of funds.
Credits
Last revised 02/01/2008
