Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
What is the WIOA Hillsborough County Grant?
It is called the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It is a job program. WIOA provides free training grants to assist people get trained, certified and placed in big demand fields such as IT, cyber-security, business intelligence, project management and more. The idea is that there are professions in which there are not enough certified people and there are declining fields in which there are too many people. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) addresses this problem by providing free funding for job training in big demand fields to those who qualify for this grant. This training is intended to make your resume marketable so you can get hired and return to the workforce. This is a grant, not a loan. If you are eligible, everything is paid for, even the exam.
Can I use this grant for any program I want?
This is a jobs program so you must select a program where there is a high expectation of gainingemployment. Each county has a regionally targeted occupations list (RTOL) to choose from. They want to make sure you select an occupation that is in high demand. For each authorized occupation, there will be authorized training plans to choose from.
How Do I Qualify?
Eligibility and final approval are determined solely by your local CareerSource office. Common categories include Dislocated Worker, low-income Adult, and Youth (18–24). We can perform a free pre-screening and help you gather the required documents before you apply at CareerSource.
What types of career choices are best under this program?
You want a plan that can be finished in a short period of time that will increase your marketability enough to help get you a job. We look at the best ways to use your work history to add a certification that will make you attractive to hiring managers and easier to place.
Some occupations are ideal for this:
- Cybersecurity
- Information Technology
- Project Management
- Healthcare (CNA, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, etc.)
- Commercial Truck Driving (CDL)
- Skilled Trades & Apprenticeships
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Welding
- HVAC
And many more
Is there a catch or any hidden costs? I always have a hard time believing anything is free.
Working with any government-funded program involves paperwork and specific eligibility steps (income guidelines, residency, etc.). The process is thorough by design to ensure taxpayer funds are used responsibly. While it can take a little time and patience, thousands of people successfully use WIOA every year to change their lives with free training and certifications.
There is no catch — just an opportunity
If CareerSource determines you are eligible and approves funding, the approved school (ours or another provider) gets paid directly by the government. Your training, books, exams, and sometimes even laptops or exam vouchers are covered at no cost to you. Our only “agenda” is to help you get trained, certified, and placed in a better career as quickly and easily as possible.We’re here to be your guide.
Do you help with job placement?
Yes! The whole purpose of this program is to help you get back in the workforce.
They help with your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, interview skills and most importantly, getting your information in front of hiring managers.
