Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Section 166

The WIA program is an income-based program that assists tribal members who live in our 10 county service area.  Assistance is provided to members attending or completing college or trade school. We provide help in GED completion. Additionally, this office can give assistance to those seeking employment.  

For WIA program information please call :

In Michigan : (269) 782-0887 or (888) 330-1234 / Fax:  (269) 782-0985

In Indiana :  (574) 255-2953 or (800) 737-9223 / Fax:  (574) 255-2974

Who is Eligible?

What Services Do we offer?

There are 5 different services provided by the WIA program.  These are:

·         Classroom Training (CRT)

·         On the job training (OJT)

·         Work Experience (WE)

·         General Services

·         Supportive Services

CRT Other provides assistance with:

• GED Preparation

• Payment for GED Testing

• Assistance for High School Completion

• CRT Occupational Skill Training provides assistance for:

1.     College

2.     Vocational Training

3.     Vocational Certification

4.     Accredited On-line courses

There are limitations on Occupational Skill Training that include:

1.     Participants who already have their Bachelors Degree (or higher degree) or receive their Bachelors Degree while on the program are no longer eligible for CRT.

2.     Participation in Occupational Skill Training is limited to 104 class weeks regardless of the number of times a participant enrolls in the program. The exception to this is the nursing program, which has a total of 156 weeks.

3.     Participants in Occupational Skill Training are allowed only one change in curriculum while in CRT.  A participant may be taking two related curriculums simultaneously.

On the Job Training (OJT)

On-the Job Training (OJT) is training in the private or public sector provided to a participant by an employer.  The employer hires the participant and there should be reasonable assurance that the employer will retain the participant once the training period is completed.  The employer may be reimbursed up to 50% of the participant's wages excluding fringe benefits.  OJT participants are eligible to receive Supportive Services and Training Costs.

An OJT contract must be filled out for each employer providing On-the-Job Training to a participant.  This contract is negotiated by the Employment Specialist and must be approved by both the employer and the Education Director in writing.  • On the Job Training is an agreement between the WIA program and an outside agency/business.
• WIA participant obtains a job with a Business or corporation outside the Pokagon Band.
• WIA pays up to half the salary for a 3-month period.
• Good performance reviews lead to permanent employment with the business.

There are occupations where OJT is not considered acceptable.  These include:

1.     Occupations depending on commission as the primary income source;

2.     Sewing machine operations (garment and apparel industry);

3.     Intermittent seasonal occupations requiring licenses;

4.     Professional occupations requiring licenses;

5.     Occupations dependent on tips or gratuities as the primary income source, and;

6.     Bartenders

Work Experience

• WIA participants are placed in a position in the Pokagon Band or outside agency for a limited of time period to gain experience.                                           

• AWE participants are only placed in positions, if positions are available and funding is available.

There are three types of Work Experience:

Adult Work Experience (AWE)

• Participants must be at least 18 years of age

• Must no longer be attending High School

• May work up to 40 hours per week.

• May work a maximum of 20 weeks in a 52-week period

• AWE participants are allowed release time of up to two hours per week in order to look for work.

In-school Youth Work Experience (ISYWE)

• Participants must be at least 14 years of age AND attending High School to be eligible

• Participants can work up to 15-20 hours per week

• The maximum number of hours per week is limited to 15, unless the participant is in an approved Co-op program through the school he/she is attending. 

• Co-op students can work up to 20 hours per week

Summer Youth Work experience (SYWE)

Worksite Training Agreements for High School students can be written for any portion of the summer between the time school adjourns in the spring and the time it resumes in the fall.  Worksite Training Agreements for 16 and 17 year-olds who are no longer in school can be written for any portion of the summer between the time school adjourns in the spring and the time it resumes in the fall in the school district where the youth resides.

In order to be eligible for Summer Youth Work Experience, participants must be either:

1.     High School students at least 14 years of age, or

2.     16 and 17 year-olds who are no longer in High School, but who are committed to continuing their education in the foreseeable future (in the estimation of the Employment Specialist).

Supportive Services

General Services

General Services are individualized services tailored to each individual.  Different members may have different assistance needs.  Such individualized services provided include assistance with: