- WIOA Policy

Waiver From Training Refused Employment

Customer was provided a waiver from training and refused employment except under the following condition: Enrolled in training, but starting within 30 days.

WARN

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act

WDB

Workforce Development Board

WDQI

Workforce Data Quality Initiative

Weekly Benefit Amount

The Weekly Benefit Amount is the amount payable to an unemployment insurance claimant for each compensable (eligible) week of total unemployment.

WFTR

Waiver From Training Requirement

WIASRD

Workforce Investment Act Standardized Record Data

WIOA Working Groups Members Only

The “Members Only” section of the WIOA Implementation portal is intended for members of the WIOA Task Advisory Groups (TAGs) or members of the Interagency Work Group, as well as its subgroups focused on specific statewide implementation issues. Documents within this section are working documents and, therefore, maintained behind a password-protected area of the portal. Transparency is a priority, and all materials and resources available for public consumption will be posted on the “WIOA Implementation Updates and Documents” page as frequently as possible.

Work Experience

A work experience or internship is a planned, structured learning experience that takes place in a workplace for a limited period of time. Work experiences or internships may be paid or unpaid, as appropriate and consistent with other laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act. A work experience or internship may be arranged within the private for-profit sector, the non-profit sector, or the public sector.
For youth, work experiences may also include:

Pre-apprenticeship programs;
Summer employment and other employment activities available throughout the school year;
Internships and job shadowing; and
On-the-job training (OJT)

Work Search

An individual state requirement that the claimant must seek suitable work in a week for which benefits are claimed.

Work-Based Learning

See Work-Based Training.

Work-Based Training

Work-based training, or work-based learning, is employer-driven training that provides participants with work-based opportunities to practice and enhance the skills and knowledge gained in their program of study or industry training program and develop employability. It includes an assessment and recognition of acquired knowledge and skills. Examples include internships, service learning, paid work experience, on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, transitional jobs, and apprenticeships. Generally, work-based training involves an employer's commitment to employ successful participants after they have completed the program.

Illinois has defined a continuum of work-based learning opportunities in statute and the Career Pathways Dictionary.

NOTE: At the federal level, Perkins V legislation states that work-based learning means sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at an educational institution that fosters in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required in each career field and that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.

Workers

Individuals in a dislocation event that are included in a WARN notice or provided in an employee list for the employer, or other acceptable documentation (Eligibility Chapter in the ePolicy manual).

Workforce Development Activity

Means an activity carried out through a workforce development program.

Workforce Development Program

Means a program made available through a workforce development system.

Workforce Development Specialist

Workforce Development Specialist (formerly Regional Program Representative (RPR))

Workforce Development System

Means a system that makes available core programs under WIOA, other required one-stop partner programs under WIOA, and any other programs providing employment and training, education or economic development services as identified by a State board or local board.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Passed in July 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the first federal reform of the workforce system in 15 years. WIOA replaces and modifies the Workforce Investment Act, which started in 1998. WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed the Act by a wide bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform in 15 years of the public workforce system. The majority of WIOA provisions become effective July 1, 2015. The goal of WIOA is to improve the quality of the workforce, increase economic self-sufficiency, reduce welfare dependency, meet employer skill requirements, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. These core programs are included in WIOA:
• Employment and Training Programs (Title I):
• Disadvantaged Youth Services
• Economically Disadvantaged Adult Services
• Dislocated Worker Programs
• Re-employment Services under Wagner-Peyser
• Disabled persons employment support through Vocational
• Rehabilitation Services
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa

Workforce Innovation Board (State WIB) [formerly Workforce Development Board or Workforce Investment Board]

Established by the Governor with membership meeting Federal guidelines comprised of a majority of representatives of business; at least twenty percent workforce representatives, representatives of government, including chief elected officials, and other representation as designated by the Governor and assigned such functions as are outlined in section 101.

Workforce Investment Act

The Workforce Investment Act is an Act of the United States Congress to establish programs to prepare youth and unskilled adults for entry into the labor force and to give job training to those economically disadvantaged individuals and other individuals who face serious barriers to employment and who are in need of such training to obtain prospective employment. WIA followed the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and preceded the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Workforce Investment Activity

Means an employment and training activity, and a youth workforce investment activity.

Workforce Learning Advisor

Means an individual employed by an organization who has the knowledge and skills necessary to advise other employees of that organization about the education, skill development, job training, career counseling services, and credentials, including services provided through the workforce development system, required to progress toward career goals of such employees in order to meet employer requirements related to job openings and career advancements that support economic self-sufficiency.

Workforce Preparation Activity

Means activities, programs, or services designed to help an individual acquire a combination of basic academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy skills, and self-management skills, including competencies in utilizing resources, using information, working with others, understanding systems, and obtaining skills necessary for successful transition into and completion of postsecondary education or training, or employment.

Glossary