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October 19, 2021
Youth Employment and Training Programs Authorized by the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA,
P.L. 113-128) is the primary federal statute centrally
focused on workforce development. It authorizes a group of
programs to assist workers and employers in the labor
market, with an emphasis on individuals with barriers to
employment. This In Focus describes the three programs
authorized in WIOA that target youth and are administered
by the Department of Labor (DOL).
Most of the youth-targeted programs in WIOA define
eligible youth as persons ages 16 to 24 who demonstrate
specified barriers to employment. Some individuals served
by these programs could be eligible for both the youth
programs in WIOA as well as other WIOA programs that
serve the general adult population (ages 18+).
Table I. Funding for Youth-Targeted Programs in the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(dollars in thousands)
Youth                    Youth-
Fiscal Year  Activities  Job Corps       Build
2017        $873,416    $1,704,155     $84,534
2018         903,416     1,749,555      89,534
2019         903,416     1,718,655      89,534
2020         913,130     1,743,655      94,534
2021          921,130    1,748,655      96,534
Source: DOL FY2022 Budget Summary Tables; funding levels include
any supplemental appropriations.
The design and funding levels of the youth-targeted
programs in WIOA vary:
* WIOA Youth Activities are formula grants to states that
are incorporated into a coordinated planning process
with other workforce funding. Like other WIOA-
authorized formula funds, the allowable uses for these
funds are somewhat broad and include both employment
activities (such as occupational skills training and work
experience) as well as educational activities. Specific
programming decisions are made by state and local
grantees and subgrantees.
* Job Corps supports a network of residential centers that
provide intensive services for participants. Centers
provide occupational training in a trade as well as
appropriate academic and social supports. Jobs Corps
has the highest funding of the three youth-targeted
programs in WIOA.

* YouthBuild is a competitive grant program that provides
work experience, skills training, and educational
services to eligible youth, with a focus on the
construction trades.
WIOA Formula Grants and Youth
Activities
WIOA Youth Activities is one of six core formula grant
programs in WIOA. States are required to develop a unified
plan that describes how each of the core funding streams
will be coordinated to meet local workforce needs.
Youth Activities funds may be used for out-of-school or in-
school youth, though at least 75% of funds must be used for
out-of-school youth. Out-of-school youth are ages 16 to 24
and meet certain criteria such as being a high school
dropout or low-income. In-school youth are ages 14 to 24;
are attending school; are low-income; and meet specified
criteria, such as being deficient in basic skills, pregnant or
parenting, homeless, or currently or formerly in foster care.
DOL allots funds to state workforce agencies based on a
formula that accounts for a state's relative share of
unemployment and number of economically disadvantaged
youth. States may reserve up to 15% of the funding for
specified statewide activities. The remaining funds are
allocated to local workforce development boards (WDBs)
that administer the services, typically through a local
partner such as a nonprofit organization or community
college.
Each local WDB must use Youth Activities funds to offer
14 program elements that include tutoring, study skills
training, and other academic activities; alternative
secondary school services or dropout recovery services;
paid and unpaid work experiences (including summer
employment opportunities, pre-apprenticeship programs,
internships and job shadowing, and on-the-job training
opportunities); supportive services; adult mentoring;
follow-up services; and other specified activities. At least
20% of the funds allocated to the local WDB must be used
to provide participating youth (whether they are in school
or not) with paid and unpaid work experiences that have
academic and occupational education as a component.
WIOA Youth grantees and subgrantees are subject to a
performance accountability system that considers
participants' subsequent outcomes, including employment,
enrollment in education, and earnings.
In program year (PY) 2019 (July 2019-June 2020), about
137,000 participants received services under the program.

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