TRAINING SERIES Attainment of Credentials, Degrees and Certificates WIA Workforce Investment Act

Why Credentials Matter  A nationally-recognized credential certifies that a job applicant has mastered certain skills  A credential indicates that a job applicant has a certain level of determination and follow- through  A credential may indicate that a job applicant can meet attendance requirements WIA

WIA Youth Outcome (Common Measures) Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TELG) provides measures for the success of all workforce programs. One of the youth outcomes is: (TELG)  Attainment of a Degree or Certificate WIA

Degree Defined  High-school Diploma or equivalent (GED)  Post-Secondary Degrees (Associate’s, Bachelor’s Degrees, e.g.) WIA

Certificate Defined A certificate is awarded in recognition of an individual’s attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to gain employment or advance within an occupation. WIA

Certificates Issued By Educational Agencies  State educational agency responsible for administering vocational and technical education within the State  Institution of higher education (includes community colleges, proprietary schools and other institutions that are eligible to participate in federal student financial aid programs)  Institutions of higher education controlled or chartered by an Indian tribe or tribes TEGL WIA

Certificates Issued By Business or Labor Organizations  A professional, industry, or employer organization  A product manufacturer or developer  A registered apprenticeship program sponsor WIA

Certificates Issued By Regulatory Agencies  A public regulatory agency, upon an individual’s fulfillment of educational, work experience, or skill requirements that are legally necessary for an individual to use an occupational or professional title or to practice an occupation or profession (e.g. nurse, state certified asbestos inspector) WIA

Certificates Issued By Workforce Partner Programs  A program that has been approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer education benefits to veterans and other eligible persons  Job Corps centers that issue certificates WIA

Certificate Exclusions Certificates awarded by regional workforce boards are not recognized. Work readiness certificates are likewise not recognized. WIA

Credential as WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker Outcome (Core Indicator) The Workforce Investment Act provides that one of the Core Indicators of Performance for adults and dislocated workers is:  Attainment of a recognized credential relating to achievement of educational skills, which may include attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, or occupational skills, by participants who enter unsubsidized employment.  Client must have enrolled in WIA training WIA

Credential as WIA Older Youth Outcome (Core Indicator) The Workforce Investment Act provides that one of the Core Indicators of Performance for youth age 19 – 21 is:  Attainment of a recognized credential relating to achievement of educational skills, which may include attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, or occupational skills, by participants who enter unsubsidized employment or postsecondary/advanced training. WIA

Credential Defined A credential is defined as a certificate. This definition applies to clients who began receiving services on or after July 1, [TEGL Attachment D]Attachment D WIA

Attainment of a Credential  A credential may be obtained while a client is still participating in WIA services and up to three quarters after exit.  For adults and dislocated workers, a credential may only be entered if the client was enrolled in training. WIA

Recording a Credential in EFM WIA

Quiz 1 Which of the following institutions are qualified to issue certificates? Select all that apply. a.A State Community College b.A Registered Apprenticeship c.An Employer Organization d.A Public Regulatory Agency WIA

Quiz 2 To receive a credential, a client enrolled on or after July 1, 2006 must receive a certificate. a.True b.False WIA

Questions or Additional Information  If you have any questions or for additional information, please contact DEO’s WIA policy and technical assistance staff at: WIA