Implemented on July 1, 2000, the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is designed to streamline employment and training programs, help employers locate qualified workers and job seekers find work

The result of WIA has been the creation of a “One-Stop” delivery system for employment services in Hancock County. Through Hancock County JOBsolutions, both employers and job seekers can now access a full range of services.

For Employers
We offer a wide variety of services to assist local companies with their recruitment, training, and outplacement needs. Employer-based services include:

• Prehiring screening both in general employment (soft skills) and a comprehensive battery of tests for specific vocational and hard skills
• Labor market information available in many formats
• Assistance with downsizing and business closures
• Recruitment assistance to find qualified workers
• On-The-Job Training reimbursement to help with new employee training costs
• Customized Training to upgrade skills of current employees
• Workforce needs assessments

For Adults (18 years of age or older)

• Core Services are available to the universal customer and include initial assessment, job search and placement assistance, and career counseling.
• Intensive Services are available to eligible individuals who have used one or more Core Services. They include in-depth assessment, counseling and career planning, and pre-vocational services for unemployed individuals or employed individuals who need additional assistance to reach self-sufficiency.
• Training Services are available to eligible individuals who have met the requirements for Intensive Services and have not been able to obtain or keep employment. Individual Training Accounts are established to help finance training based upon the individual’s choice of available training programs.

For Dislocated Workers
The Dislocated Worker program is specially designed to assist workers displaced by disaster, mass layoffs, or business closures.

• Core Services such as assessment, job search asistance, and career counseling are provided to return individuals to work as quickly as possible.
• Intensive Services can be provided, when necessary, to guide dislocated workers through a career change. These services include an in-depth vocational assessment, counseling and career planning. Many times people choose to train or retrain for a new career.
• Training Services assist dislocated workers to obtain the skills necessary to start a new career or upgrade skills to be valuable to employers. Training is provided through Individual Training Accounts established to help fund this training or re-training.

For Youth (age 14 through 21)
The WIA youth program prepares at risk youth for postsecondary educational opportunities, or employment. The youth services link academic and ocupational learning and include the following:

• Tutoring
• Study skills training
• Instruction leading to completion of secondary school program (including drop out prevention)
• Alternative school services
• Mentoring by appropriate adults
• Paid and unpaid work experience (such as internships and job shadowing)
• Occupational skills training
• Leadership development
• Supportive services necessary to fulfill educational and employment objectives
• Counseling and followup services