Learning new skills can open the door to different career opportunities, but paying for training is often a major obstacle. Tuition, books, equipment, transportation, and other expenses can add up quickly.
For some workers, an Individual Training Account (ITA) may provide a way to access approved career training without having to cover the entire cost alone.
Individual Training Accounts are connected to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), a federal law that supports employment and workforce development programs across the United States.
An ITA is not a personal bank account or a check that participants can spend however they want. Instead, it is a funding arrangement that eligible participants may use for approved training from eligible providers.
Understanding how ITAs work can help job seekers explore another possible resource before paying for career training themselves.
What Is an Individual Training Account?
An Individual Training Account is one method used within the WIOA workforce system to pay for certain training services for eligible participants.
Under WIOA, people who need additional skills to find suitable employment may be able to receive training services when they meet applicable requirements.
An ITA can be used to purchase training from an eligible training provider. States maintain Eligible Training Provider Lists (ETPLs) that identify programs that meet requirements for WIOA-funded training.
This means participants usually cannot select any course or school and expect WIOA to pay for it.
The training generally needs to meet program requirements and be connected to the participant's employment goals.
Depending on the local workforce system, approved training could include areas such as:
- Healthcare
- Information technology
- Transportation
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Skilled trades
- Business services
- Other occupations with workforce demand
Available programs and funding can vary considerably from one location to another.
An ITA Is Not Cash Given Directly to You
The name "Individual Training Account" can be confusing.
It may sound like the government deposits money into a personal account for you to spend on education. That generally is not how the system works.
An ITA is used within the workforce system to arrange payment for approved training services.
There may also be limits on how much funding is available, how long training can last, and which expenses can be covered. Local workforce boards and agencies may establish policies within federal and state requirements.
That is why applicants should speak with their local workforce organization before enrolling in a program.
Who May Qualify for an Individual Training Account?
ITAs are associated with WIOA training services, so receiving one generally requires more than simply wanting to attend career school.
A workforce agency will need to determine whether a person qualifies for applicable WIOA services and whether training is appropriate.
Potential participants can include certain:
- Adults seeking employment
- Low-income workers
- People receiving some forms of public assistance
- Workers who have been laid off
- Dislocated workers
- People who need new skills to find suitable employment
- Workers whose existing skills do not match available opportunities
These examples do not mean everyone in these situations automatically qualifies.
WIOA eligibility and ITA funding are not guaranteed.
Eligibility requirements, funding availability, local priorities, and the person's circumstances can all influence what services are offered.
Why Your Career Goal Matters
Workforce programs are designed to help people prepare for employment, not simply to pay for any type of education someone wants to pursue.
For example, a participant might be interested in a training program because it sounds exciting. But workforce staff may also look at whether the training connects to realistic employment opportunities.
Local labor-market demand can therefore matter.
Before choosing a program, consider questions such as:
- Are employers hiring for this occupation?
- What credentials do those employers require?
- How long does training take?
- Is a license or certification required?
- Does the training provider meet WIOA requirements?
- Are jobs available within a reasonable commuting distance?
These questions can help connect education decisions with actual career opportunities.
How Can an ITA Help Pay for Job Training?
For an eligible participant, an ITA may help cover approved training expenses under applicable WIOA and local program rules.
The exact amount and expenses covered can vary.
Training programs can involve more than tuition. Depending on the occupation, students may also need books, equipment, uniforms, tools, testing, or other materials.
Applicants should ask workforce staff exactly which expenses can be covered rather than assuming everything related to training will be paid.
An ITA may also have a maximum funding amount established by the workforce system.
If a program costs more than the available assistance, the participant may need to explore other resources.
ITAs May Work With Other Education Resources
WIOA does not exist separately from every other education program.
People considering eligible postsecondary education should also investigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Completing the FAFSA can help determine eligibility for federal student aid, including the Federal Pell Grant for qualifying students.
Depending on the circumstances and applicable rules, workforce agencies may consider other grants or assistance available to a participant when arranging training funding.
Other possible resources can include:
- Scholarships
- State education assistance
- Employer tuition assistance
- Registered Apprenticeships
- Community college assistance programs
- Veterans education benefits for eligible individuals
Applicants should ask how different funding sources may work together.
How Do You Find ITA-Eligible Training?
A good starting point is an American Job Center.
American Job Centers are part of the public workforce system and can connect job seekers with employment and training services.
When you contact a center, explain that you are interested in career training and want to learn whether you could qualify for WIOA training assistance.
Workforce staff may review your employment situation, career goals, existing skills, and other eligibility information.
If training is appropriate, you may be directed toward programs on your state's Eligible Training Provider List.
Don't Enroll Before Checking Eligibility
Timing matters.
If you are hoping to use WIOA assistance, consider contacting the workforce system before enrolling or paying a training provider.
Do not assume that funding can be applied later to a program you have already started.
Before committing to training, ask:
- Do I qualify for WIOA training services?
- Could an Individual Training Account be available?
- Is my chosen program on the Eligible Training Provider List?
- How much funding may be available?
- Which expenses can the funding cover?
- Are there program-length limits?
- Do I need approval before enrolling?
- What documents must I provide?
Getting clear answers first can help you understand your responsibilities and potential costs.
What Should You Look for in a Training Program?
Getting help with tuition does not automatically make a training program a good career choice.
Before selecting a program, research what you will receive in return for your time and effort.
Look at the credential earned, program length, completion requirements, total cost, and whether additional licensing or certification will be needed.
You should also investigate the occupation itself.
Think about:
- Typical job duties
- Work schedules
- Physical requirements
- Education requirements
- Local employment opportunities
- Licensing requirements
- Opportunities for advancement
A program should fit both your career goals and your circumstances.
An ITA Could Make Career Training More Accessible
An Individual Training Account can be an important part of the WIOA system for eligible people who need occupational training to improve their employment opportunities.
It is not unrestricted education money, and receiving WIOA services does not automatically guarantee training funding. The program, training provider, applicant, and proposed career path must meet applicable requirements.
However, workers considering career training may benefit from checking what is available before assuming they must pay the entire cost themselves.
Start by contacting an American Job Center and asking about WIOA training services, Individual Training Accounts, and your state's Eligible Training Provider List.
At the same time, explore FAFSA, Pell Grants, Registered Apprenticeships, employer education benefits, and other workforce resources that may apply.
Understanding these options before enrolling can help you compare programs more carefully and choose a training path that supports a realistic employment goal.