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WIAGL 8A-2000 (Eligible Training Providers - Initial Eligibility Criteria)
Workforce Investment Act Guidance Letter No. 8A-2000
TO: Local Elected Officials and Workforce Development Agencies
FROM: Tom Hayes, Director Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
SUBJECT: Eligible Training Providers - Initial Eligibility Criteria

I.Purpose

To provide local elected officials policy information approved by the Governor's Workforce Policy Board regarding Eligible Training Providers - Initial Eligibility Criteria.

II.Effective Date

Immediately

III.Background

Section 122 of the Workforce Investment Act states that the Governor is responsible for establishing the criteria and procedure for use by local boards to determine the initial eligibility of training providers. The state agency designated by the Governor to establish, maintain and disseminate the statewide list of eligible training providers will also be responsible for developing the initial eligibility procedure and for soliciting comments from the public regarding the initial eligibility procedure.

Educational institutions that are eligible to receive funds under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) are automatically eligible to have their programs that lead to an associate degree, baccalaureate degree or certificate placed on the Eligible Training Provider List. Programs carried out under the National Apprenticeship Act are also automatically eligible for placement on the list. This automatic eligibility status is for the period of initial eligibility only. All institutions must meet subsequent eligibility criteria.

Customers who need training and who are eligible will, in most cases, have an Individual Training Account established for them. The account may be used to pay for training in a locally approved course of study. Training can be obtained from any program listed on the statewide Eligible Training Provider List. Providers on the list must have agreed to accept Individual Training Account payments for approved programs and to report required performance and cost data.

The eligibility procedure for training providers begins at the local level. Educational institutions, schools or other organizations, including automatically eligible providers that wish to be on the Eligible Training Provider List, apply to the Workforce Investment Board with a description of their program(s). The Workforce Investment Board determines the time and manner of submission of applications for inclusion on the State Eligible Training Provider List. The Workforce Investment Board also determines what information in addition to the minimum required by the State must be included on the local application. The Workforce Investment Board certifies the provider by program and forwards the information to the State. The State has 30 days to review the information and determine if the provider's program(s) meet the criteria for listing.

NOTE: When a provider and program is listed on the State Eligible Training Provider List, WIA participants from anywhere in the State with that approved course of study may select that provider/program.

NOTE: Each individual program must be certified. A single provider may have multiple programs.

IV.Policy Statement

The Governor's Workforce Policy Board approved provisions for initial certification of training providers. Initial certification will last 18 months.

For initial certification of existing training providers:

  • existing providers must submit raw data to support eligibility;
  • the state will determine whether a training provider is in "good standing" with federal and state organizations; and
  • providers must agree to provide the performance data required by theWorkforce Investment Act and the Governor's Workforce Policy Board.

For initial certification of new training providers:

  • new training providers must provide information on previous DBAs (doing business as) and information on whether the training program is accredited, approved, registered with, or licensed by, an independent professional organization, government or industry recognized agency;
  • the state will determine whether the training provider (or any prior DBA) is in "good standing" with federal and state organizations; and
  • providers must agree to provide the performance data required by the Workforce Investment Act and the Governor's Workforce Policy Board.

V.Action Required

Workforce Investment Boards must become familiar with the criteria for certification of training providers and utilize the criteria as applicable. Workforce Investment Boards must establish the time and manner of submission of applications from training providers and determine if they will require additional information.

Rescissions: Policy Letter 8-2000 Revision #1, dated May 31, 2000

Distribution: WIA Policy Letter

Expiration Date: Continuing