Workforce Investment Act 1998

DISLOCATED WORKER PROGRAM

Dislocated workers are individuals who have been permanently laid off, or have received notice of termination or plant closure.  The program may also serve individuals who are:

• Dislocated workers with outdated skills

• Individuals who have lost their jobs due to import competition or production shifted to outside the United States

• Farmers who have lost their farms

• Self-employed individuals who are unemployed do to the economic conditions in their area.

• Displaced homemaker

ADULT PROGRAM

The Adult Program serves those individuals who are 18 years of age or older.  

SERVICES

There are four basic classifications of services provided under the Workforce Investment Act.  They are:  Self-assisted core services, Staff-assisted core services, Intensive services, and Training services.   Self-assisted core services are available to assist with your job search needs, as well as provide you with information regarding partnering agencies.  These services include access to Michigan’s Talent Bank for job search, resume technique and interview information, Career Trax, career self-assessment, and free faxing and copy services.  Staff-assisted core services require registration and include staff-assisted job search, career counseling, follow-up services (if employed), initial development of Individual Employment Plan (IEP) and assessment.  Career Trax are daily workshops that deal with topics such as budgeting, stress management, interviewing, and other related topics.  Intensive services include a comprehensive and specialized assessment, career planning, case management, remediation, and continued staff-assisted job search and follow-up services.  Training services include occupational classroom training, on-the-job training, customized training, cooperative education programs, skill upgrading, job readiness training and adult education and literacy activities. 

NO WORKER LEFT BEHIND 

What is No Worker Left Behind (NWLB)?

NWLB is Governor Granholm’s vision for transforming Michigan’s economy into one that is knowledge based, as more and more manual labor is mechanized and computerized.  Employers across the state are facing a shortage of workers with the skills and education necessary to fill open positions in the knowledge-based emerging sectors.  To address this challenge and to accelerate the transition of thousands of Michigan workers into good-paying jobs, Governor Jennifer Granholm announced the NWLB initiative in her 2007 State of the State Address.  

Who qualifies for NWLB?

Any Michigan resident, who is currently unemployed, has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment or whose family income is $40,000 or less is eligible for NWLB assistance.  Participants must be at least 18 years old, must have not graduated from high school in the last 2 years, and must not be a full-time college student. 

What can NWLB do for me?

The NWLB program can prepare you for employment within a growth sector of Michigan’s emerging economy.  Some of the core services are:

• Up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university or other approved training program;
• Qualifying workers must pursue a degree or other occupational certificate in a high-demand occupation, emerging industry, or entrepreneurship program;
• The free tuition program is a one-time offer; and
• Eligible participants have three years to sign up for the program beginning August 1, 2007.

What do I have to do in order to become a part of the NWLB program?

To qualify,

• Workers will need to take a skills assessment test administered by the Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs) and meet eligibility criteria. 
• Tuition assistance is capped at $5,000 per year for two years, or a total of $10,000 per person. 
• Once enrolled, participants need to complete training within four years of starting the program. 

For more information, please call 800-285-WORK
Or go to the NWLB website atwww.michigan.gov/nwlb