WIOA Approved Training Programs
How to Use Workforce Funding to Pay for Career Training
Losing a job is disorienting. It does not matter whether it happened because of a layoff, a company closure, a shift in your industry, or circumstances you never saw coming. What matters now is what comes next.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act exists for exactly this moment. It is a federal program that helps eligible adults and dislocated workers access funded job training so they can build new skills, earn an industry-recognized credential, and get back to work in a field with real demand. Thousands of people in Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois use WIOA funding every year to cover the cost of career training programs they could not otherwise afford.
Digital Workshop Center offers live, instructor-led certificate programs in data analytics, digital marketing, project management, UX design, and graphic design that are WIOA-eligible in multiple states. If you are working with a workforce case manager, or are trying to figure out whether you qualify, this page will walk you through everything you need to know.
What Is WIOA and How Does It Work?
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is a federal law administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that funds employment and training services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth across the country. It replaced the Workforce Investment Act in 2014 and is the primary federal vehicle for workforce development funding in the United States.
WIOA is not a loan. It is not a scholarship you apply for through a school. It is a federally funded grant program administered through your state’s workforce system, delivered locally through American Job Centers and regional workforce offices. If you qualify and your training program is approved, WIOA funding can cover some or all of the cost of training through what is called an Individual Training Account, or ITA.
The process starts not with the training provider but with your local workforce center. You connect with a case manager, go through an eligibility determination, discuss your career goals, and if your situation qualifies and your chosen program meets the approval criteria, funding can be issued directly to the training provider. DWC has navigated this process with hundreds of students and our team knows how to support your case manager’s documentation needs from our end.
The most important thing to know up front: WIOA funding must be approved before training begins. You cannot start a program and apply for funding afterward.
Who Qualifies for WIOA Funding?
WIOA serves two primary adult populations, and eligibility falls into one of two tracks.
Dislocated workers are people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. That includes layoffs, company closures, reduction in force, plant shutdowns, and in some cases military spouse relocation. If you are a dislocated worker, your prior income does not affect your eligibility. What matters is that you lost your job involuntarily and that you are unlikely to return to your previous occupation. You will need documentation of your situation, typically a termination letter, layoff notice, or proof of unemployment insurance. Veterans receive priority of service under WIOA and often have access to expedited eligibility determination.
Income-eligible adults who are employed but earning below 250 percent of the federal poverty level may also qualify, even if they were not laid off. This track is designed for working adults who are underemployed or stuck in jobs that do not pay enough to support their household. Eligibility is confirmed through income documentation, and the threshold varies based on household size.
Both tracks require you to work with a case manager who will guide you through an assessment process, help you identify career goals, and determine whether a specific training program aligns with what the local workforce system needs and funds.
You can find your local American Job Center using CareerOneStop’s locator tool. That is the right starting point for every WIOA conversation.
The WIOA Training Process, Step by Step
Understanding how the process actually works prevents the most common mistake, which is enrolling in a program before funding is confirmed.
1) Contact a Workforce Center
Step one: Contact your local workforce center. Introduce yourself, explain your situation, and ask about WIOA eligibility and orientation. Every state has its own intake process but all of them start here. The conversation is free and there is no commitment.
2) Complete Intake and Eligibility Review
Step two: Complete intake and eligibility review. Your case manager will guide you through an orientation, gather the documents needed to confirm your eligibility, and conduct a career assessment to understand your goals and identify the right training path. This is also where they will look at what the local labor market needs.
3) Identify an approved training program
Step three: Identify an approved training program. Your case manager will explain which programs are on your state’s Eligible Training Provider List, or ETPL. DWC programs are approved in Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, and other states. You can also search for WIOA-eligible programs by state through CareerOneStop. If you are interested in a DWC program, our team can provide all documentation your case manager needs to support the approval..
4) Receive ITA approval and enroll
Step four: Receive ITA approval and enroll. Once your Individual Training Account is approved and the program is authorized, you can enroll. Funding is issued directly to the training provider. You begin building new skills without upfront tuition costs.
Certificate Programs That Qualify for WIOA Funding
DWC programs are designed around in-demand skills that align with what employers across our served states are actively hiring for. All programs are live, instructor-led, and part-time, which means you can complete training on a schedule that works around job searching and other responsibilities.
Project Management Training
Build planning, coordination, and leadership skills using industry-standard tools, with exposure to how AI supports scheduling, forecasting, and resource management. Project management and management analyst roles are projected to grow 9 percent through 2034, with nearly 100,000 new openings expected annually.
Digital Marketing Training
Develop skills in SEO, paid advertising, content strategy, and analytics, including how AI tools are changing campaign performance and content creation. Starting salaries for digital marketing specialists range from around $58,500 to $82,500, with demand growing across virtually every industry.
Graphic Design Training
Build skills in Adobe Creative Cloud and learn how AI-assisted platforms are changing design workflows and creative production. Starting salaries for graphic designers range from around $52,000 to $79,500, with demand from agencies, in-house teams, and e-commerce brands.
Data Analytics Training
Learn to work with data using Excel, SQL, and Power BI, and understand how AI tools are reshaping how organizations analyze and act on data. Data analysts are among the most in-demand professionals across healthcare, finance, technology, and logistics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in data-related roles to grow significantly faster than average through 2034.
UX Design Training
Learn user research, wireframing, and usability testing, along with how AI is influencing interface design and rapid prototyping. UX roles are in demand across software companies, healthcare organizations, and consumer brands investing in digital product experience.
All Certificate Programs
All programs include live instructor-led classes, hands-on projects, portfolio development, AI-integrated workflows, and career coaching. Download our certificate program guides here if you need documentation to share with your case manager.
WIOA Funding by State
The federal framework is the same everywhere, but the local workforce system, the agencies that administer funding, and the process for program approval vary by state. Here is where to start in each state DWC actively serves.
Colorado
Colorado’s WIOA program is administered by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment through a network of local Colorado Workforce Centers located throughout the state. CDLE maintains an Eligible Training Provider List that case managers use to identify approved programs. DWC programs are listed on Colorado’s ETPL.
Veterans receive priority of service at all Colorado Workforce Centers. If you are a veteran, lead with that when you contact your local center.
For students in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Larimer County, the primary contact is Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development, located at 200 West Oak Street, Suite 5000 in Fort Collins. DWC has a long-standing working relationship with LCEWD and our team is familiar with their approval process.
For students in Greeley and Weld County, contact Weld County Workforce Center for WIOA eligibility and program approval.
For statewide information and to locate any Colorado Workforce Center near you, visit cdle.colorado.gov/jobs-training/workforce-centers.
Relevant DWC location pages: Career Training in Colorado | Certificate Training in Northern Colorado | Career Training in Fort Collins | Career Training in Denver
Utah
Utah’s WIOA program is administered by the Utah Department of Workforce Services through a network of employment centers and American Job Centers across the state. Utah’s workforce system certified six comprehensive one-stop centers statewide, which serve job seekers and workers across the Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and St. George regions, as well as rural communities.
The Utah DWS administers WIOA for adults ages 18 to 72 who are citizens or eligible non-citizens and meet income or dislocated worker criteria. Dislocated workers can connect directly with a workforce services representative through jobs.utah.gov to begin the eligibility process.
Relevant DWC location page: Career Training in Utah | Career Training in Salt Lake City
Oregon
Oregon’s WIOA program is administered through WorkSource Oregon, a statewide network of workforce centers operated in partnership with the Oregon Employment Department. WorkSource centers serve job seekers across Portland, Eugene, Salem, Bend, Medford, and communities throughout the state.
Oregon WIOA funding is available for adults and dislocated workers who meet eligibility criteria, with case managers working through WorkSource centers to assess eligibility, develop Individual Employment Plans, and authorize funding for approved training programs.
To find your nearest WorkSource Oregon center and begin the eligibility conversation, visit worksourceoregon.org or use CareerOneStop’s American Job Center locator.
Relevant DWC location page: Career Training in Oregon | Career Training in Portland
Indiana
Indiana’s WIOA program is administered through WorkOne, a statewide network of workforce development centers operated by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. WorkOne centers serve job seekers throughout the state, including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and surrounding regions.
Indiana’s Dislocated Worker Program provides services for workers who have lost jobs through layoffs, plant closures, or economic displacement. Case managers at WorkOne centers guide eligible participants through training program selection, ITA development, and funding authorization.
To locate your nearest WorkOne center and begin the eligibility process, visit gotoworkone.com or use CareerOneStop’s workforce center locator.
Relevant DWC location page: Career Training in Indiana
Iowa
Iowa’s WIOA program is administered through Iowa Workforce Development, which operates IowaWORKS centers across the state. The adult and dislocated worker programs are specifically designed to help unemployed and underemployed Iowans improve their skills and obtain quality employment.
Iowa’s ETPL is the list of approved training programs that WIOA-funded participants can select from. Case managers at IowaWORKS centers help participants navigate the eligibility process, identify appropriate programs, and authorize training accounts.
To locate your nearest IowaWORKS center, visit workforce.iowa.gov or use CareerOneStop’s center locator.
Relevant DWC location page: Career Training in Iowa
Illinois / Chicago
Illinois’s WIOA program is administered through Illinois WorkNet, a statewide workforce development system that includes American Job Centers and regional workforce offices throughout the state. Chicago and Cook County have multiple WIOA service providers operating through the city and county workforce systems.
Illinois WorkNet’s WIOA participant eligibility information outlines program requirements for adults and dislocated workers. Local case managers help eligible participants develop Individual Training Accounts and connect them with approved programs.
To locate your nearest Illinois workforce center, visit illinoisworknet.com or use CareerOneStop’s center locator.
Relevant DWC location page: Career Training in Chicago
Not in One of These States?
Students in other states can still explore WIOA funding through their local workforce system. The process is the same regardless of state: contact your local American Job Center, ask about eligibility, and find out which training programs are approved in your area. CareerOneStop’s WIOA training program finder is the best national tool for locating state-specific information.
DWC also accepts private-pay students from any state and offers flexible payment plans and financing options for students who are not WIOA-eligible or who want to enroll without waiting for the funding process to complete.
What DWC Provides to Support Your Case Manager
Your case manager will need specific documentation from any training provider before approving WIOA funding. DWC has gone through this process with workforce centers across multiple states and our team knows exactly what to provide.
We can supply program descriptions and objectives, tuition costs and itemized fee structures, program duration and schedule information, credential and certificate documentation, labor market alignment data showing employer demand for the skills covered, and performance outcomes data where available.
If your case manager has specific documentation requirements or needs anything beyond the standard package, contact our team directly and we will make sure everything is in order on our end. We want your funding approval to move as smoothly as possible.
You can also download our certificate program guides to share with your case manager as a starting point.
Other Ways to Fund Your Training
WIOA is not the only path to making certificate training affordable. Many students combine multiple funding sources or use alternatives when WIOA is not available or takes time to process.
DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation): If you have a disability that creates a barrier to employment, DVR may fund career training through a separate vocational rehabilitation program. DWC has a long history of working with DVR clients. Read the DVR Participants Guide here.
Employer tuition reimbursement: Many employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement for job-related training. If you are currently employed and your company offers this benefit, certificate training in a related field may qualify.
Payment plans and financing: DWC offers flexible payment options that spread tuition over time, making programs accessible without a large upfront investment. Explore all financial aid options here.
Scholarships: DWC offers scholarships and promotional pricing at various points throughout the year. Contact our admissions team to ask what is currently available.
WIOA Training Programs FAQs
What is WIOA and who does it serve?
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is a federal program that funds job training, career services, and employment support for eligible adults and dislocated workers. It is administered through local workforce centers and American Job Centers across every state. Most people who qualify are unemployed, recently laid off, or underemployed and looking to move into a new field.
How do I know if I qualify for WIOA funding?
There are two main eligibility paths. Dislocated workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own qualify regardless of income. Adults whose household income falls below 250 percent of the federal poverty level may also qualify. The only way to confirm eligibility is to contact your local workforce center or American Job Center and go through the intake process.
Can WIOA pay for certificate programs at Digital Workshop Center?
Yes, in states where DWC programs are approved on the Eligible Training Provider List. DWC programs are WIOA-eligible in Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, and other states. Eligibility for funding is confirmed through your local workforce center, not through DWC. Our team can provide all documentation your case manager needs to support the approval process
Can I work with DWC while going through the WIOA process?
Absolutely. Many students connect with DWC’s admissions team while their WIOA application is in process to learn about programs, review schedules, and prepare for enrollment. We can provide documentation to your case manager and answer any program-related questions while you work through eligibility. Talk to our team here.
Do I need to enroll before getting funding approved?
No, and this is critical. WIOA funding must be approved before you begin training. Do not pay for a program or start classes expecting to be reimbursed. Contact your workforce center, complete the eligibility process, and wait for your ITA to be issued before enrolling.
What is an Individual Training Account?
An Individual Training Account, or ITA, is the funding mechanism WIOA uses to pay for approved training programs. Once your eligibility is confirmed and your case manager approves a specific program, an ITA is established and funds are issued directly to the training provider. You do not handle the money yourself.
How long does the WIOA eligibility and approval process take?
It varies by state and local workforce office. In some regions the process moves quickly, in others it can take several weeks. The best way to manage the timeline is to start the conversation with your workforce center as early as possible and stay in regular contact with your case manager. Our admissions team can help you manage your enrollment timing around the approval process.
What if I am not eligible for WIOA or am in a state where DWC is not on the ETPL?
You can still enroll as a private-pay student. DWC accepts students from all states and offers flexible payment plans and financing options that make training accessible without WIOA funding. Students with disabilities may also explore DVR funding as an alternative.
Start WIOA Career Training
Build new skills, gain experience with modern tools, and take the next step toward a new career.