**Summary of TEGL WIOA NO. 23-14**
It is estimated that over six million 16-24 years olds are currently not employed or not in school. 75% of WIOA youth program funds now focus now on out-of-school youth (OSY) and 25% on in-school youth (ISY). The Employment and Training Administration is aware of the challenges that states and local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) will encounter transitioning to the 75% spending requirement for OSY activities.
States and local WIBs should be receiving notification of the first WIOA allotment for youth programs in April 2015, with operational implementation on July 1, 2015. States and local WIBs are encouraged to use allowable transition funds to begin preparation for WIOA youth programs.
The Employment and Training Administration understands this is a significant shift, and they will provide technical assistance and guidance on recruiting and serving OSY. All states and local WIBs will be required to spend a minimum of 75% of PY 2016 youth funds on OSY.
While final WIOA regulations will not be published until 2016, the Employment and Training Administration has issued TEGL WIOA No. 23-14 to assist local WIBs to prepare for implementing WIOA Youth Programs July 1, 2015.
WIOA eliminates the requirement for local WIBs to establish a Youth Council. However, local WIBs are encouraged to establish a standing committee to provide planning, operational and other services for both OSY and ISY. WIOA has 14 program elements (which include the consolidation of the 10 original WIA elements). Five of the new elements are: financial literacy education; entrepreneurial skills training; services that provide labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations available in the local areas; activities that help youth prepare for and transition to post-secondary education and training; and education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster. Additional activities may include: paid and unpaid work experience; leadership development; supportive services; and adult mentoring and guidance.
Work experience is a critical component of WIOA. 20% of OSY funds must be used for work experience. It is important to note that program expenditures can include wages as well as staffing costs for the development and management of work experiences.
ISY must be attending school, not younger than 14 or older then 21, low income, and have one or more of a list of barriers:
- Basic skills deficient
- An English language learner
- An offender
- A homeless youth or runaway, in foster care or has aged out of the foster care system
- Pregnant or parenting
- A disability
- Requires assistance to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment
Local WIBs are encouraged to work with local schools to coordinate services in areas such as career preparation, career awareness, employer presentations and employer visits.
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