The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is a federally funded program that helps New Jersey employers by providing a variety of employment and training services to prepare unemployed workers for today’s jobs.

In New Jersey, these employment and training services are provided through 18 local areas. Each area is governed by a Workforce Investment Board (WIB). The WIB comprises local business people, labor organizations, educators, local government representatives, community-based organizations, and state agencies. Employers provide the WIB with the vital information necessary to decide the nature and direction of training for the local area.

A variety of individuals qualify for WIA training. For example, “dislocated workers” represent one of the groups eligible for WIA training. These workers are eligible because they have lost their jobs due to company closing or mass layoffs. Many of them have a steady work history but may lack knowledge of new technology needed to compete in today’s job market. WIA can provide training to these workers. Sometimes they can continue to receive unemployment benefits while participating in training.

You, as an employer, can participate in one of WIA’s on-the-job training programs. You provide training to eligible individuals whom you hire, and can be reimbursed up to 50 percent of their wage for your extraordinary cost of training. In this manner you are developing a person’s skills to fit your company’s needs.

To learn more about WIA and the local WIB, contact your local WIB, One-Stop Career Center, or the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of One Stop Programs and Services, at (609) 292-5005. A list of local WIB offices is provided in the Directory at the end of this handbook.