Labor Market

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was enacted July 2014 to replace the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The federal grant covers training expenses for individuals who have been laid off or whose household income is at or below the federal poverty level. It’s designed to benefit job seekers, laid-off workers, older youth, incumbent workers, new entrants to the workforce, veterans, persons with disabilities and employers.

Federal money is currently available to Louisiana for training and employment programs through WIOA.  On-the-Job Training (OJT), helps employers cut training costs in half by providing a reimbursement of salaries for a training period of up to six months.

Services to Adults, Youth and Dislocated Workers – Core Services (Job Search Assistance, Labor Market Information, Resume Preparation and Job Referrals), Intensive Services (Comprehensive Assessment, Case Management and Development of an Individual Employment Plan), Training Services (On-the-Job Training, Occupational Skills Training, and Internship) and Supportive Services (Child Care & Transportation).

Services to Eligible Youth (age 16-24) – Tutoring & study skills training and instruction leading to secondary school completion, including dropout prevention strategies; Alternative secondary school offerings; Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning, Paid and unpaid work experience including internships and job shadowing; Occupational skill training; Leadership development opportunities, which include community services and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behaviors; Supportive services; Adult mentoring for a duration of at least twelve months which may occur during and after program participation; Follow up services; and Comprehensive guidance and counseling including drug and alcohol abuse counseling, financial literacy education, entrepreneurial skills training, labor market and employment information, activities to prepare youth for transition to postsecondary education and training,  as well as referrals to counseling as appropriate to the needs of the individual youth.

Services to Employers – A pool of applicants for job opportunities, employer capacity building, proficiency testing of job applicants, job order postings, job analysis, local wage survey information, interview room, resource materials and labor exchange applicant pre-screening.

Services are provided through the Comprehensive One Stop Center in Calcasieu Parish to the following parishes: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis and Vernon.