Workforce Investment Act Services

for Job Seekers

Michelle Spangler, Coordinator, WIA Services
757-302-2001 
mspangler@es.vccs.edu

Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC) uses funds available under the Workforce Investment Act (W.I.A.) from the Bay Consortium Workforce Investment Board to help learners participate in full and part-time academic/training programs. Please contact Michelle Spangler for more information.

One-Stop Center Management

ESCC is a managing partner of the Eastern Shore One-Stop Center Management Consortium. Together with our two primary partners, the Eastern Shore Office of the Virginia Employment Commission and the Eastern Shore Community Action Agency/Area Agency on Aging, the College facilitates the development and delivery of comprehensive set of workforce development services to link job seekers with employers.

Through the One-Stop Center, individuals can access:

• job search assistance
• career planning
• employment training programs

Employers will find a variety of pre-employment services such as:

• job posting
• initial applicant screening

This is accomplished through a network of social service and government agencies who work together to provide seamless services to businesses and individuals through referrals and open communication.

Eligibility Counseling and Review

Individuals meeting the eligibility criteria of the Workforce Investment Act who also meet the college's admission requirements and are willing to accept employment upon completion of the program, may qualify for an array of services including:

• Funding for tuition, books and supplies
• Career and academic assessment
• Planning and counseling

Other supportive services such as job readiness classes, transportation and job placement assistance will be provided as needed for each individual.

All individuals requesting assistance from the Workforce Investment Act must submit a W.I.A. application and complete an interview and placement test prior to enrolling.

An ESCC application must also be completed along with any other college entrance requirements including high school/college transcripts.

Academic and Career Assessment, Counseling, and Planning

These services are designed to help youth and adults identify their own interests, skills, abilities and aptitudes. This information is used to help the individual to determine how to achieve personal and career goals. W.I.A staff will provide career planning assistance to help youth and adults achieve their goals.

Enrollment in a training or academic program at the college has proven successful for many individuals and has provided the skills necessary to meet individual goals. Personal and academic counseling services are available through the college, or by referral to other organizations/agencies.

Job Readiness Classes

Job Readiness Classes cover the general skills needed to get and keep a job and include topics such as: filling out applications, resumes, mock interviews, general and specific job requirements (timeliness, attitude, communications skills, personal hygiene, proper clothing and work equipment, etc.).

Transportation

Star Transit provides free or reduced-charge transportation to learners attending Eastern Shore Community College. A route schedule is available at the receptionist desk.

Job Placement Assistance

Placement upon successful completion of a training or academic program is a highly cooperative effort of the college’s placement service, W.I.A. staff, the Virginia Employment Commission, and other job services. Individuals seeking employment can access ALEX, the VEC’s computer-based employment service, America ’s Job Bank, and other local and national sources of job information available in the college’s Learning Resources Center .

On-the-Job Training

This program is available to individuals and employers meeting W.I.A. eligibility guidelines. Limited funding is available to enable employers to off set the cost of training a new employee for an entry-level job (such as a carpenter’s helper, plumber’s helper, cook, boat builder.)

The job must be a full-time position. Up to 50 percent (50%) of the trainee’s wages may be reimbursed by Workforce Investment Act funds.