The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 was implemented as of July 1, 2000. It was developed to redesign the nation's workforce system, to create a new comprehensive system streamlining multiple employment and training programs into an integrated One-Stop Career Center system, and simplifying access to services for job seekers and employers. The Adult and Dislocated Worker Program, under Title I of WIA is designed to provide quality employment and training services to assist eligible individuals in finding and qualifying for meaningful employment, and to help employers find the skilled workers they need to compete and succeed in business.

The services are provided through One-Stop Career Centers. A significant level of employment-related services for job seekers and employers are available at the Commonwealth’s network of One-Stop Career Centers. There are various levels of service available to job seekers, some of which have corresponding eligibility requirements. The first level is Core Services. Core Services includes outreach, job search assistance, placement assistance, various group workshops, and labor market information. Core Services are available to all job seekers including those who are currently employed. There are no eligibility requirements pertaining to the receipt of Core Services.

Intensive Services is the next level of services under WIA, and includes comprehensive assessments, development of individual employment plans, one-on-one counseling, career planning, and a variety of specialized services and specialized workshops. Training services are one type of Intensive Services and may include remedial training such as ESOL and GED, basic skills training, and/or Occupational Retraining. Eligible Job Seekers utilize an Individual Training Account (ITA) to select and appropriate training vendor from a qualified training provider. Intensive services are only available to eligible job seekers.

The target population for WIA Title I are Adults and Dislocated Workers. The eligibility requirements to qualify as a WIA Adult include the following: the Job Seeker must be 18 years of age and older, and be subject to compliance with citizenship and or resident alien requirements, and selective service requirements. Priority for intensive services is given to low income adults as defined by each of the 16 Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs). The eligibility requirements to quality as a Dislocated Worker include the following: the Job Seeker must be terminated, laid off, or have received a notice of termination from his/her employer; is eligible for or has exhausted unemployment insurance; was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, rancher, or fisherman), or is a displaced homemaker who is no longer supported by another family member.

These Core and Intensive Services are available at the Commonwealth’s network of One-Stop Career Center. There are 32 One-Stop Career Centers located throughout Massachusetts in every major city, with satellite locations in other locations. In addition to the Core and Intensive Services, all One-Stop Centers have available resources including PCs, internet access for job search purposes, fax machines, reference materials, resume development software and economic data. Most One-Stop Career Centers have Unemployment Insurance walk in services available and some offer training in basic skills such as introduction or computers and/or word processing.

Some One-Stop Career Centers may have additional supportive services such as transportation, childcare, or referral to services available under certain circumstances to allow eligible individuals to participate in the programs.

All One-Stop Career Centers have orientation seminars that provide specifics about the services and resources available within that local area and corresponding eligibility requirements; including other Federal and State programs in addition to WIA Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker.