Overview
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Career Development and Training Program is designed to help job seekers acquire the skills needed to thrive in today’s fast-changing global economy. WIOA offers individualized services to assist job seekers in upgrading their skills or returning to the workforce. The program includes:
- General Services: Career planning, job search assistance, resume writing, and interview preparation.
- Individual Services: Personalized support tailored to each job seeker’s needs.
- Training Services: Opportunities to gain certificates or degrees that are valuable in the labor market.
Tuition Assistance
Eligible workers, including those who are unemployed or in low-wage jobs, may receive tuition assistance up to $10,000. This can cover:
- Instructional costs
- Books and materials
- Fees (application, registration, laboratory)
- Academic support services
Focus Areas and Eligible Training Providers
The primary goal is to help job seekers attain qualifications that lead to employment in high-demand occupations and emerging industries.
Through our network of approved training providers, you may be eligible to complete training in an in-demand occupation that could lead to a vocational certificate/diploma, or even a degree. The list of in-demand occupations is referred to as the Targeted Occupations List and is subject to change based on labor market changes. In today’s job market, it is critical that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs of employers in order to compete.
2026-27 Training Programs and Providers
2026-27 Regional Targeted Occupations List (TOL)
Who Can Participate?
- Any person who is currently unemployed; or
- Any person who has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment; or
- Any employed person whose family income is less than Polk County’s self-sufficiency rate.
- Participants must be at least 18 years old and meet all CareerSource Polk’s evaluation criteria.
Interested? Please review and complete Steps 1-7 below (Read Carefully).
Through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program, you may receive career guidance and possibly financial assistance to help with your occupational skills training. Tuition, as well as training-related costs, such as books, training supplies, uniforms/shoes required, and certification/licensure fees required after completion of training may be covered.
Job seekers interested in training assistance must:
- Register in Employ Florida (EF). Registration is required to participate in the program. If you are already registered, you may need your Employ Florida username to complete the My CareerSource Polk Scholarship Pre-Screening Form.
- Review CareerSource Polk’s Eligible Training Programs and Providers. Identify the career training program you wish to pursue and verify that both the training provider and program are included on CareerSource Polk’s list of Eligible Training Providers.
- Meet the training provider’s admission requirements and be accepted into your selected training program.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), if your selected training program is eligible for federal financial aid.
- Complete the required My CareerSource Polk Scholarship Orientation by reviewing the online orientation materials HERE.
- Gather the required documentation. The orientation outlines all documents that must be submitted with your application. Be sure to sign and save the Orientation Attestation Form.
- Complete and submit the Pre-Screening Form. Once your WIOA Pre-Screening Form has been submitted, you will receive an email notifying you that it has been received and will be reviewed in the order that it has been received.