Work Force Investment
The Heart of Georgia Altamaha RC was designated by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) to serve as the grant recipient for Region 9 for the Workforce Investment Act, and helped organize its administration and implementation in the region. Day-to-day management is provided to the administrative entity, Job Training Unlimited, Inc., based in Claxton. Assistance is provided to adults, youths, welfare recipients, and dislocated workers by coordinating and collaborating with partner agencies and all stakeholders in forming a new, comprehensive workforce investment system. The cornerstone is a customer-friendly One-Stop service delivery Center located in each county. This program is responsible for training and retraining our potential workforce employees throughout our region.
Workforce Investment Area Region 9
Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission, Grant Recipient
Job Training Unlimited, Inc., Administrative Entity
Reba J. Van Meter, Director
P.O. Box 906, Claxton, GA 30417
Services:
Information, Job Listings, Use of Computers (Internet, Resume Development), Fax Machine, Phones, Copy Machine
Access to Services:
Unemployment Insurance, Employment Services, Food Stamps, TANF, Rehabilitation Services, Training, Adult Education, Housing, Transportation
Workshops:
Employer Services, Job Fairs, Referrals
Workforce Investment Act Funded Services: Disadvantaged Adults/Dislocated Workers
Individual Training Accounts(occupational training at local Technical Schools and training institutions) Services such as payments for tuition, books, support payments, (transportation, child care)
Youth
Year-Round Youth Services
Assessment, work experience, after school programs, tutoring, mentoring,occupational training, etc.
Welfare-to-Work
Services:
Post-employment services,
Work Experience,
Work Evaluation,
Work Adjustment,
Job Retention Services,
Supportive Payments, (transportation, child care),
Needs-based Supportive Payments (utility shut-off, eye glasses, work uniforms, etc.)
ONE-STOP
The one-stop system is designed to provide to the citizens of each county the ability to find, in their own county, a comprehensive center or access point that contains all the technology, resources, people, and information necessary for customers to receive job listing information and to have their needs met. Partnering agencies such as the Department of Labor, Vocational Rehab, Department of Family and Children Services, Housing Authority, etc. will be available through the one-stop system to assist customers. Most customers seeking assistance will complete one application for services needed and will not have to duplicate this information repeatedly. Customers will also have access to the Internet, fax machines, phones, copy machines, etc. Customers will be assisted with resume development and will be offeredspecialized workshops as needed.
Employers are encouraged to participate with the one-stop system through job fairs, listing job vacancies, and they will have access to customers seeking jobs.
Locations of the One-Stop sites within Region 9:
| The following locations have been designated as One-Stop Centers by Region 9 Workforce Investment Board. Programs and services are provided throughout Region 9 at various local offices. For more information please check out the Region9 website out. | |
| Appling | Bleckley |
Altamaha Technical College |
Tessie W. Norris Public Library |
| Candler | Dodge |
Job Training Unlimited |
Middle Georgia College (Aviation Campus) |
| Emanuel | Evans |
Swainsboro Technical College |
Claxton Job Training Unlimited |
| Jeff Davis | Johnson |
Job Training Unlimited/Hazelhurst |
Harlie Fulford Library |
| Laurens | Montgomery |
Dublin Department of Labor |
Montgomery Learning Center |
| Tattnall | Telfair |
Reidsville Airport Authority-Terminal Bldg |
Telfair Instructional Center |
| Toombs | Treutlen |
Southeastern Technical College |
Soperton Housing Authority |
| Wayne | Wheeler |
Jesup Department of Labor |
Wheeler County Chamber of Commerce |
| Wilcox | |
Chamber of Commerce |
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INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ACCOUNTS
Individuals Training Accounts allow individuals to receive training from eligible training providers such as Technical Schools, Colleges, and Universities. Specialized training is also available. The maximum limit of the individual training account is $6,000 for a maximum duration of two years.The Workforce Investment Act will pay for the remaining balance of Tuition and Books after HOPE pays. If the customer is not eligible for HOPE all of the Tuition and Books will be paid by the workforce investment fund.
ITA customers may also receive support payments for transportation and child care. A Case Manager is assigned to each ITA customer to assist with problems and needs. Customers are eligible for the ITA program by being economically disadvantaged or by being a dislocated worker. To be eligible through being economically disadvantaged, a customer must be age 18 or older and their income must be less than 125% of the poverty level guidelines. Preference will be given to customers with multiple barriers to employment such TANF recipients, offenders, disabled person, the homeless or person who are basic skills deficient. The dislocated worker is a worker that has been laid off from their job or lost their job through a plant closure, or reduction in the workforce. The ITA customer will receive support payments and child care, based on attendance.
Customers must maintain a full-time class schedule of at least 12 to 15 hours per quarter. Each customer is to maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average and no customer is permitted to "sit-out" a quarter or semester. Top
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
On-the-Job Training or OJT, is a program provided by the Workforce Investment Act to assist eligible customers with finding employment. An employer hiring an OJT customer will be reimbursed up to 50% of the employee's wages for a specified training period. The training period is usually a minimum of four to six weeks, but can be as long as six months for a highly technical job. The OJT customer is assigned a Case Manager to assist with any problems or needs the OJT customer may have.
Customers are eligible for the OJT program by being economically disadvantaged or being a dislocated worker. To be eligible through being economically disadvantaged, a customer must be age 18 or older and their income must be less than 125% of the poverty level guidelines. Preference will be given to customers with multiple barriers to employment such as high schooldropouts, TANF recipients, offenders, disabled persons, the homeless or persons who are basic skills deficient. The dislocated worker is a worker that has been laid off from their job or lost their job through a plant closure, or reduction in force.
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YEAR ROUND YOUTH PROGRAM
The year-round Youth Program is designed to better equip youth with the ability to obtain and maintain employment. The Youth Program provides training, work experience, and tools to help them become successful in the workplace. The youth will learn time management, communication skills, business etiquette, and proper work ethics. The youth program also provides an opportunity for the youth to earn money through work experience.
To be eligible for the Youth Program, a youth must be between the ages of 14-21 and be economically disadvantaged or basic skills deficient, a school dropout, homeless, a runaway, a foster child, pregnant or parenting, an offender, or an individual who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment.
The Youth Program also introduces the concept of leadership development that recognizes all of the information that must be conveyed to youth so that they are indeed "work ready" and able to make the most of their opportunities. Some benefits are tutoring, study skills training, dropout prevention strategies, alternative secondary school services, summer employment, work experience, occupational skill training, the provision of supportive services, adult mentoring, follow-up services, and comprehensive guidance and counseling.
The Youth Program is also beneficial for employers. Employers allowing a youth to work within their organization will receive free labor, specific tax credits, and knowledge that they are helping to form tomorrow's workforce.
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WELFARE TO WORK
Welfare to Work funds are funds that have been set aside by the Department of Labor to assist welfare recipients reaching their 48 month life time limit to supplement their income while making the transition from welfare to work. These funds are to be used to help the welfare recipient learn how to budget their income until they become self sufficient. These funds are to be used to help pay rent, utility bills, car insurance, tires, etc.
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