The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Employment and Training Program provides youth with a broad range of year-round coordinated services. These services include assistance in academic and occupational learning, development of leadership skills, and preparation for further education, additional training and eventual employment.

The Purpose of the WIA Youth program is to:

• Provide improved youth programs, linked more closely to local labor market needs and community youth programs, with strong connections between academic and occupational learning.
• Provide youth seeking assistance in academic and employment success with:
• Options for improved educational and skill competencies
• Connections to employers
• Programs that promote youth development and citizenship
• Leadership development through voluntary community services opportunities
• Adult mentoring
• Training opportunities; and
• Targeted opportunities for youth living in high poverty areas

Qualified Youth Must Be:
• 14 to 21 years of age
• A low-income individual determined by one of the following criteria
• Family income below the poverty line; or seventy (70%) of the lower living standard income
level; or
• Is a member of a household that receives or has been determined eligible to receive food stamps within the last six months; or
• Receives or is a member of a family that receives cash public assistance payments; or is a
• Publicity supported foster child; or is
• Homeless; or
• An individual with a disability that can be considered as a family one; and

• Be one or more of the following:
• Deficient in basic literacy skills
• A high-school dropout
• Homeless, a runaway, a foster child
• Pregnant or a parent
• An offender; or an individual (including a youth with a disability) who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment.

Activities that the Youth Employment and Training Program Provides are:

• Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion
• Alternative secondary school offerings
• Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning
• Paid and unpaid work experiences, internships, and job shadowing
• Occupational skill training
• Leadership development opportunities
• Adult mentoring; and
• Comprehensive guidance and counseling