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TANF Section, WIOA Combined Plan Modifications 2026

33 Language, and adult basic education courses. Agencies also use the educational needs assessment results to match eligible adults to appropriate technical college courses and other educational courses that provide an occupational skill. The agencies are required to work with technical colleges to offer certified (or diploma/degree) training programs. Regardless, the training courses must be tied directly to occupations for which there are job openings in the local labor market. Contractors also use the educational needs assessment results to match eligible adults to appropriate job skills training, including customized skills training.

Vocational assessment tools help individuals living with a disability establish realistic vocational goals and a plan to achieve them. The vocational evaluation process is designed to assess the unique strengths, resources, and experiences of an individual in order to match that person’s abilities and preferences to appropriate work placements, jobs, or training programs. The process is interactive; the intent is for staff to learn about the participant and the participant to learn about themselves.

In W-2, agencies use education and vocational assessments to match participants to job skills (or vocational) training programs. These programs must lead to one of the six listed credits, credentials, certificates, or degrees listed below.

1. Credits or a credential earned from a Wisconsin-based eligible training provider, as defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Statewide List of Eligible Training Programs and Providers (including Continuing Education Credits); 2. A license, recognized by the State or Federal Government; 3. A certificate of apprenticeship completion; 4. A certificate of completion of a program approved by the Office of Skills Development through a Fast Forward or Blueprint for Prosperity grant; (For more information about Fast Forward and Blueprint for Prosperity grants, please visit www.wisconsinfastforward.com/.) 5. Completion of a customized training established with an employer(s) with the written understanding that the employer(s) will make a good faith effort to hire the participant upon successful completion of the training; or 6. A bachelor’s or associate degree.

Agencies are required to have available a wide range of jobs skills training programs, including customized job skills training programs. The customized job skills training programs include employer participation in the design and implementation of the training. Customized job skills training programs are designed using industry-approved training requirements and in alignment with known career pathways in the local labor market. When necessary, agencies match eligible parents to bridge programs so that they can attain the basic skills they need to enter job skills training programs. Regardless, agencies must ensure that parents who complete training have acquired marketable job-specific skills.

Business Services: W-2 agencies actively help applicants and eligible parents find employment in the local labor market. In order to effectively do this, agencies have business service units within their agencies, and employ job developers, often referred to as Account Executives, Business Services Managers, Employer Account Representatives, etc.