FAQS
What is WIOA?
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was enacted in 2014 by President Barrack Obama to encourage the business community to participate in the local delivery of Workforce Development Services.
Federal funding for these programs is handed down to the state level and distributed between the Workforce Development Boards in each area, which is then distributed to regional funding management agencies.
Jobseekers and employers receive WIOA assistance by visiting their local career center. Each career center has trained professionals available to assist individuals with identifying a variety of services and programs to address individual and employer needs.
These include Employability Classes, Training Opportunities, and our Business Services, among others.
What is the goal of WIOA?
WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.
What services are available at Kentucky Career Center - Bluegrass locations?
At your local career center, you will meet career experts known as Talent Development Specialists (TDS) who can help you decide what career path is best for you, including but not limited to examining college options or short-term job training. Resource rooms at the career center locations are equipped with Internet access, computers, local newspapers, and resource staff professionals. The TDS can help you explore available opportunities and determine what jobs will best suit you.
Career centers provide an array of workforce programs for employers and job seekers all in one location, all for free. For employers, Career Centers can help streamline human resources tasks and offer customized service plans. There is no cost to the employer or the employee.
Who is eligible for WIOA Services?
WIOA provides services for young people and adults seeking employment. Several factors determine the eligibility of applicants. Guidelines are different if you need financial assistance for college or short-term training to get a job. WIOA also serves workers who have lost their jobs due to a company relocating operations to another country (as outlined in the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA), and workers who have been laid off from their jobs.
Where can I find a WIOA office?
Visit our location page to find an office near you. The Kentucky Career Center - Bluegrass has brick-and-mortar locations in four counties throughout Central Kentucky to provide services to a 17-county region.
How do I get an appointment to meet with a Career Center staff?
Visit the staff page and contact one of our caring and trained staff near you or if you are a partnering agency, please complete the referral form found on our referral page.
What should I expect after my information has been submitted?
Within two business days, the individual will receive a phone call. Kentucky Career Center- Bluegrass staff will attempt three phone calls. When Kentucky Career Center-Bluegrass/American Job Center staff speaks with potential participants, the staff will explain the process and links the potential participants will receive via email.
For partnering referring agencies - if the individual does not respond, you will be contacted to verify the correct contact number.
What happens next?
During the phone call, the individual will be advised to check their spam/junk email box because sometimes the first email sent from Kentucky Career Center-Bluegrass/American Job Center staff may go to the spam/junk box.
Once the potential client completes the required paperwork and provides any needed documentation, they need to reply to the email stating the completion of those steps.
Kentucky Career Center-Bluegrass staff will confirm that the information is complete and will let the referred individual know which Talent Development Specialist will be reaching out to help them within three business days.
When will an appointment to speak with a Kentucky Career Center - Bluegrass Talent Development Specialist be set?
Once the potential client has completed the links provided through email, a Kentucky Career Center-Bluegrass Talent Development Specialist will schedule an appointment with the potential client either in person, by phone, or via a Microsoft Teams virtual meeting.
It is important to note that depending on the number of existing appointments, the date of the potential client in-person/video/phone appointment may vary but will be scheduled as soon as possible.
What are Employer Services?
Employer Services are available for our 17-county service area. Each of these locations features a dedicated Business Services Consultant. Their job is to assist employers with finding qualified people, screen potential employees during the hiring process, provide labor market information, assist with training costs for new hires, and upgrade the skills of existing employees.
What can Employer Services do for my business?
We realize that each employer is unique and each does not need the same set of services. When you meet with your Business Services Consultant, you will discuss the specific workforce needs of your company. Your Consultant will then work with you to help meet those needs.
What is the Bluegrass Workforce Innovation Board (BGWIB)?
BGWIB stands for Bluegrass Workforce Innovation Board, this volunteer board appointed by Local Elected Officials of the 17-county Bluegrass area plans and oversees the efforts of the Kentucky Career Center - Bluegrass/American Job Center, focusing on plans, oversight, and evaluation of workforce service delivery in this community. A major role of the board is strategic planning to meet the employment and training needs of local businesses and industries. The wide variety of organizations represented on each board ensures input from experts throughout the community. Through oversight and evaluation, the board ensures that its strategic and operational plans are implemented.
What is the Kentucky Career Centers - Bluegrass/ American Job Center?
Kentucky Career Center - Bluegrass/American Job Center is a network of career centers serving 17 counties in Central Kentucky. Each location houses a variety of partners who can help with your career planning needs.
Is the Kentucky Career Center - Bluegrass/American Job Center or BGWIB the same as the Unemployment Office (UI)?
No. Career Centers house several partners and some locations may have a UI partner. WIOA is a partner of UI in the statewide Kentucky Career Center system and helps serve clients in every way we can. However, we are not a government agency and do not process claims related to Unemployment Insurance (UI). We can, however, connect you with our local partners in UI nearest you who can assist you with UI filings.