Learning new skills can open the door to better job opportunities, but training is not always affordable. Tuition, books, required fees, and other education expenses can make it difficult for workers to enroll in programs that could strengthen their careers.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) may provide another path. Through the public workforce system, eligible adults and dislocated workers can receive employment and training services. One important option is an Individual Training Account (ITA).
An ITA can provide funding for approved training that prepares participants for employment. WIOA training programs focus on helping workers develop skills that can lead to employment, especially in occupations where employers need qualified workers.
Understanding how ITAs work can help job seekers explore training without automatically assuming they must pay the entire cost themselves.
What Is a WIOA Individual Training Account?
An Individual Training Account is a funding mechanism used under WIOA to purchase approved training services. Instead of simply giving participants unrestricted cash for school, the workforce system connects eligible participants with qualifying training programs.
WIOA Title I training may be funded through an ITA used to purchase training from an eligible training provider. States maintain Eligible Training Provider Lists that help participants identify programs meeting WIOA requirements.
Training possibilities can include:
- Occupational skills training
- Skill upgrading and retraining
- Certain private-sector training programs
- Entrepreneurial training
- Some adult education and literacy activities when combined with qualifying training
- Other approved programs preparing workers for employment
WIOA also supports work-based training options, although not every type of WIOA training is necessarily funded through an ITA.
This distinction matters. An ITA is not a general scholarship that can automatically be used at any school or for any degree. The participant, training program, provider, available funding, and local workforce requirements can all affect whether assistance is available.
Who May Qualify for WIOA Training Assistance?
WIOA serves different groups, including eligible adults and dislocated workers. The Adult program helps people access employment and training opportunities, while the Dislocated Worker program is designed to help eligible workers who have experienced job displacement return to employment.
Receiving WIOA services does not automatically mean someone will receive an Individual Training Account.
American Job Center staff may determine whether training is appropriate after an interview, evaluation, assessment, and career planning process. Participants generally need training to obtain or retain suitable employment and must be able to participate successfully in the selected program.
For the WIOA Adult program, federal rules also establish priority for certain populations when Adult funds are used for individualized career and training services. These populations include recipients of public assistance, other low-income individuals, and people who are basic-skills deficient. Veterans may also receive priority of service under applicable federal requirements.
Because workforce programs are administered at the state and local levels, applicants should expect eligibility procedures, available funding, and approved training options to vary by location.
How an ITA Can Reduce the Cost of Career Training
One of the biggest potential benefits of an ITA is reducing the amount an eligible participant needs to cover personally for qualifying career training.
That can make occupational training more realistic for someone who wants to enter a new field but cannot easily afford the upfront education costs.
WIOA training decisions are generally connected to employment opportunities. Training programs may prepare participants for occupations that are in demand in their local area, planning region, or another area where they are willing to commute or relocate.
This employment focus can encourage workers to think beyond simply enrolling in a school. Before choosing a program, participants can ask questions such as:
- What occupation does this training prepare me for?
- What credential will I earn?
- Are employers hiring people with this credential?
- How long will the training take?
- Which expenses could WIOA funding cover?
- Will I have costs that remain my responsibility?
- Is the program included on my state's Eligible Training Provider List?
Getting answers before enrolling can help prevent unexpected expenses. Applicants should speak with their local workforce program and understand which costs have been approved before making financial commitments.
Combining WIOA With Other Education Resources
An Individual Training Account does not necessarily have to be the only source of education funding.
WIOA rules allow training assistance to be coordinated with other forms of grant assistance, including Federal Pell Grants. Depending on the situation, WIOA funding may be available when other grant assistance is unavailable or when additional assistance is needed to cover qualifying training expenses.
For people considering an eligible college or postsecondary training program, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may therefore be an important step. FAFSA information is used to determine eligibility for federal student aid programs, including Federal Pell Grants.
Workers can also explore other possible resources, such as:
- State education and workforce programs
- Scholarships and grants
- Employer tuition or training assistance
- Apprenticeship opportunities
- Community college workforce programs
- Local workforce development programs
An American Job Center can be a useful starting point. These centers provide access to employment and workforce services and can help people learn about career counseling, training opportunities, job searches, and WIOA programs.
When contacting an American Job Center, workers can ask specifically about WIOA Adult or Dislocated Worker training services, Individual Training Accounts, the state's Eligible Training Provider List, and how WIOA funding may coordinate with other education assistance.
Making Career Training More Affordable
Paying for career training can feel like a major obstacle, especially for someone dealing with unemployment, limited income, or a career change. WIOA Individual Training Accounts offer eligible workers a possible way to reduce that barrier.
The process can start with exploring local workforce services before enrolling in training. An American Job Center can explain local eligibility requirements, assess training needs, identify approved providers, and discuss whether funding through an ITA may be available.
It can also be useful to explore FAFSA, Federal Pell Grants, state education programs, employer assistance, apprenticeships, and other workforce resources. Looking at several funding options can provide a clearer picture of what career training may actually cost.
For workers who want practical skills for an in-demand occupation, learning about WIOA and Individual Training Accounts can be an important first step toward making education and the next stage of a career more attainable.