Many people planning a career change go straight to paid courses and bootcamps without knowing that the public workforce system exists. In every state there are American Job Centers, funded largely through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), that offer job search help and, for eligible people, help paying for training. Services vary by place and eligibility rules apply, but it is worth checking before you spend your own money. This note explains what the system is, who gets priority and how to approach it.
What American Job Centers are
CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, describes nearly 2,300 American Job Centers nationwide that help people search for jobs, find training and answer employment questions. There are two main types:
- Comprehensive centers offer a range of employment and training assistance and serve groups including veterans, young people, laid-off workers and employers.
- Affiliate centers offer some services on site and refer people elsewhere for others.
You may know your local center by a state or regional name. The CareerOneStop finder lists centers near you, and the Department of Labor's helpline is 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627).
The WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs
According to the Department of Labor, the WIOA Adult program helps workers obtain good jobs by providing job search assistance and training opportunities. The Dislocated Worker program helps people who lost jobs through layoffs, mass layoffs or economic changes get back to work.
Two details matter for planning:
- Priority of service. When using WIOA Adult funds for individualized career services and training, American Job Center staff must give priority to recipients of public assistance, other low-income individuals and individuals who are basic skills deficient. Veterans receive priority of service in all Department of Labor-funded employment programs.
- Local variation. The Department notes that services are designed to meet local needs, may vary from state to state, and some services have eligibility requirements.
In other words, the help available to you depends on your circumstances and your area. The only way to know is to ask.
What kinds of help you might find
Depending on your center and eligibility, services can include:
- career assessments and help researching occupations,
- workshops on résumés, interviews and job search,
- information on local employers and job openings,
- referrals to training programs, sometimes with funding for approved programs,
- information on apprenticeships,
- information on unemployment insurance and other support.
Funding for training typically applies to programs on an approved list maintained in your state, and may involve an assessment and a plan agreed with a counselor. Ask how it works locally.
How to prepare for your first visit
Arrive with evidence that you have done your homework. It makes the conversation more productive.
- Your target occupation(s) and why, based on research such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Our guide to researching careers with BLS and O*NET walks through this.
- A summary of your work history and transferable skills. The skill map can help you prepare it.
- Local evidence: a handful of job postings for your target role showing the requirements.
- Your constraints: schedule, transport, childcare and how long you can study before you need income.
- Questions about eligibility, approved programs, waiting times and next steps.
Questions to ask about any training program
Whether the program is funded or not, ask:
- What credential does it lead to, and do local employers ask for it?
- What share of recent students completed it, and how many found related work? Ask how those figures are measured.
- What is the full cost, including books, exam fees and equipment?
- How long is it, and is there a part-time or evening schedule?
- Does it include work experience, an internship or an apprenticeship?
CareerOneStop's training finder lists programs near you, and Apprenticeship.gov covers registered apprenticeships that pay while you train. Our apprenticeships note explains that route.
If you were laid off
A layoff can open additional doors. Ask your center whether you qualify as a dislocated worker and whether any special services were set up for your employer's layoff. File for unemployment insurance promptly through your state; CareerOneStop's Unemployment Benefits Finder lists state agencies. Keep copies of layoff notices and correspondence.
Be patient and persistent
Publicly funded services can involve orientation sessions, paperwork and waiting lists. That is normal. Keep notes of every conversation: date, name and what was agreed. If a program you want is not approved, ask about similar ones that are, or how approval works.
Combine it with your own plan
Even if you do not qualify for training funds, the free advice and local employer knowledge can save you from an expensive mistake. Use what you learn to update your retraining payback estimate and your 90-day exploration plan. For other funding routes, see our retraining options note and the comparison of bootcamps, community college and certificates.
Evidence to gather next
- Find your nearest American Job Center with the CareerOneStop finder and call to ask about an orientation.
- Prepare a one-page summary of your work history, target occupation and research.
- Ask which training programs are approved locally for your target field and what their outcomes are.
- Check whether you might qualify as a dislocated worker if you were laid off.
Will an American Job Center pay for any course I choose?
Usually not. Training funded under WIOA generally goes through approved programs and local processes, eligibility rules apply and priority groups are set by law. Services vary by state and local area. Ask your local center what is available, what the steps are and which programs are on the approved list before you enroll anywhere.