Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act / WorkSource Georgia - Northwest Georgia Regional Commission

Northwest Georgia WorkSourceThe Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides education, training and employment opportunities for individuals in the Northwest Georgia WorkSource area (which is the same area as the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission). The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission administers the federally-funded program for the chief elected officials in our fifteen counties.

Workforce Training Programs

Our Workforce Programs have been designed to meet the needs of discouraged workers, unemployed or underemployed individuals, and workers who have lost their jobs through layoff or business closures.

Our Career Advisors assess customers while they are in training as well as pre and post training. They administer interest and career assessments and provide career counseling, educational counseling, job coaching, and post-employment assistance for up to one year after completing their program of study or ending training.

We have training available at schools and colleges throughout Northwest Georgia and its surrounding regions. We also have an on-the-job training program in which individuals can receive occupational training by area businesses. A complete list of our training sites, programs of study, and contact information is available at Career Depot.

Individual Training Accounts

People who are eligible for training at schools and colleges are awarded an Individual Training Account (ITA). An ITA is similar to a bank account in that a sum of money is set aside to assist in paying for an individual's training. The ITA pays for training in a specific occupation or specific program of study. It is available for individuals ages 18 and older and for workers of any age whose plants have had major layoffs or have closed. People who receive ITAs must have met the criteria for training under Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded services. The school or program of study for which an ITA is issued must be on the State approved list of training providers.

On-the-Job Training

On-the-Job Training (OJT) is training for an occupation while on an employer's payroll, i.e., on the job. The employer may be in either the private or public sector. Trainees are engaged in productive work and gain knowledge and skills essential to performance of the job for which he/she is being trained. On-the-Job trainees who successfully complete all training requirements will remain on the employer's payroll. Local Department of Labor Career Centers have staff who work with individuals and businesses to develop OJT agreements.

Youth

The in-school and out-of-school youth programs provide opportunities for youth who have dropped out of school (16-24) or for youth (14 - 21) who need additional education or work related assistance.

Young people ages 18 - 24 may be eligible for the Individual Training Account (ITA) program discussed above. Young workers aged 18+ who meet the qualifications for being classified as Dislocated Workers may also be eligible to participate in on-the-job training which is also discussed above.

The out-of-school program assists youth ages 16-24 who have dropped out of high school obtain their GEDs. While in the GED program, they receive other specialized services that will help them go on to further career training or to find employment.

The in-school program assists youth ages 14-21 currently enrolled in High School to graduate and pursue employment or post-secondary education.

WorkSource Northwest Georgia One Stop System

WorkSource Northwest Georgia's One Stop System provides a range of services for individuals seeking employment, training, and education services.

The area has six certified One Stop Centers. The comprehensive One Stop Center is centrally located in Rome at the Georgia Department of Labor Career Center. Here you will find an array of service providers either physically located or electronically accessible to customers. The staff here is ready to direct you to the proper One Stop Partner that can assist you.

In addition, affiliate One Stop sites are located at the Georgia Department of Labor Career Centers in Blue Ridge, Cartersville, Cedartown, Dalton, and LaFayette. These affiliate sites can provide you with referrals to employment services available in your area.

To find WorkSource programs elsewhere, please search the Georgia Department of Economic Development WIOA Career Centers.

More Information on Workforce Development Programs

For information about any of our Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Program opportunities, please contact our Workforce Development staff at 706-295-6485. You can also visit our web site at Career Depot.