In June 2011, there were nearly 4,000 WIA participants enrolled in training. Since May 2009, in any given month, between 3,100 and 5,800 WIA participants were enrolled in a training program. A total of 13,400 unique participants, or 59 percent of all WIA participants, were in training at some point since May 2009. There is no target for training because services are tailored to WIA participants’ needs. In addition, training opportunities are limited by available funding. WIA participants in training tend to have higher employment outcomes that those not in training. 83% of WIA training participants got a job within three months of exiting the program as compared to 78% of WIA participants who did not participate in training (for those who exited between October 2008 and September 2009).
The number in training is higher than it had been a few years ago because of the availability of Recovery Act and state incentive funds (E2SSB 5809). Much of the increase in training was in the form of contracted group training (light blue shading), which was encouraged through the availability of matching funds from the state. The additional funding for contracted training had to be spent by June 2011, so training participation is expected to drop going forward. In general, the number in training always drops in July due to people completing their programs in June and this year it will be even more pronounced because of the funding situation.
Because employment outcomes are not available until nearly a year after a person exits the program, there are minimal contracted group training participant employment outcomes to report at this time. ESD will submit a report to the legislature in December 2011 which will have employment outcomes for the portion of students who exited prior to December 31, 2010. Of group training participants who exited the program prior to June 30, 2011, 87% completed their group training course and 4% quit their course early because they found a job.
The darker blue shading indicates WIA participants in training programs other than contracted group training. They may be in on-the-job training or enrolled in regular classes offered at community colleges or private career schools.
Tuition payment is a key WIA service that many participants utilize. However, many WIA participants are in training funded by other sources, such as Pell Grants or Opportunity Grants, and use WIA to provide childcare, transportation, books and career counseling. These support services are critical in enabling participants to complete their training.