WIA offers students
encouragement
MAY 1. 2002 - WCC CAMPUS VOICE 19
By TAMMY BENNER
Wayne Community College
student Shirley Howard
worked at Barry’s of
Goldsboro, a manufacturer of
bedroom slippers, for 28
years.
When Barry’s went out of
business in June 2001,
Howard didn’t know where to
turn.
She went to the
unemployment office where
she found out about the
Workforce Investment Act
(WIA).
On August 7, 1998,
President Clinton signed the
Workforce Investment Act, a
form of legislation that
replaces the Job Training
Partnership Act (JTPA).
According to Howard the
program is designed to help
dislocated workers reenter the
workforce.
“The program turns a
negative situation into
opportunity,” said Richard
Darden, WIA and Dislocated
Worker program director at
Wayne Community College.
Mike Cordell is the case
manager, and Linda Sutton is
the administrative assistant.
Lea Thornton
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The program is an
alternative for people who
have a need for job training
and assistance to help them
return to the workforce with
job skills and a better
education.
“It’s a great program. I am
very grateful I’m in it. It has
allowed me to go to college,
something that I have always
wanted to do,” said Howard,
w'ho is earning her associate
degree in Human Service
Technology.
She is currently enrolled in
her second semester at WCC,
under the WIA.
WIA is divided into two
parts, the WIA Adult
Program, and the WIA Youth
Program, of which Lea
Thornton is the director.
[See picture this page]
The program, which is
federally funded by vouchers,
pays for tuition, books, and
other materials that
participants may need.
The program also provides
employment and training
activities for adults and
dislocated workers.
The Employment Security
Commission (ESC) has
agreements with local service
areas to provide these
services.
After enrolling in the WIA,
participants are required to
, turn in time sheets. Once a
week they must go for
counseling. They must also
keep up their grades.
Shirley Howard, center, reviews cigarette ads with
classmates Kevin Palaganas and Bonnie Holsinger for
a project in ENG 111. PHOTO; VOICE STAFF
Those enrolled in the
program must maintain the
GPA required for their
program.
The WIA offers financial
assistance based on an income
chart.
Darden said, “The program
is outstanding. It allows
people to get an education
and develop skills that will
help them get back into the
workforce to be self
sufficient.”
The program helps workers
that have not had a college
education get an associate
degree.
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