EKCEP's Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs help people find jobs and upgrade their skills to qualify for better jobs. WIA serves adults looking for work, workers of any age who have been dislocated from their jobs through closings or layoffs, and economically disadvantaged young people who need help to get education, training, and a good start into the working world.

These multi-level programs use a wide assortment of resources to help customers identify their interests and aptitudes, understand which jobs are in demand, get the training and develop the skills they need to succeed, and advance their careers.

EKCEP's WIA Youth Program offers a broad range of services to young people between the ages of 16 and 21. These services include opportunities for assistance with academic or job-related learning, developing leadership skills, preparing for further education, and eventual employment.

Youth services are available to low-income young people who are in any one of these categories:

• Requires help to complete an educational program
• Requires help to secure and hold employment
• School dropout
• Homeless
• A runaway
• A foster child
• Pregnant or parenting
• An offender (legal)
• Deficient in basic literacy skills

Services are also available to some young people who do not meet the low-income requirement, if they qualify in one of the categories above and have other barriers.

EKCEP's Youth Program provides the following 10 services, as required under WIA:

• Tutoring, study skills training and instruction leading to secondary school completion, including dropout prevention strategies
• Alternative secondary school offerings
• Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning
• Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing
• Occupational skills training
• Leadership development opportunities
• Supportive services
• Adult mentoring for twelve months
• Follow-up services
• Comprehensive guidance and counseling

For more information on what EKCEP'S WIA programs can do for you, contact your local WIA office, or e-mail EKCEP's central office at ekcep@ekcep.org, or click on the links below for a brief summary of the services available:

• WIA services for adults.
• WIA services for dislocated workers.