Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

Personalized One on One Training Services
Talk with a career counselor to develop a customized training solution for your employment goals.

Workforce Investment Act Staff

Bryan Elsey, Career Counselor
Phone: 410-341-8533 Ext. 116
Fax: 410-334-3454
Email: belsey@dllr.state.md.us

Wanda Mumford, Career Counselor
Phone: 410-341-8533 ext. 117
Fax: 410-334-3454
Email: wmumford@dllr.state.md.us

Career Scholarships
Training scholarships availability are subject to change contingent upon funding, occupational demand by the labor market, and training vendors.

Income Eligibility Guidelines
These income guidelines are subject to change. The specific income levels used will be determined at the time of certification for program eligiblility.

Required documents for Career Scholarship enrollment:

• Social security card
• Birth certificate
• Driver's license
• Proof of address
• Proof of family income for past 6 months
• Proof of TCA/Food stamps if you are receiving them
• DD214 if you are a Veteran
  
• Proof of family size
  

Background check required for all programs.

Scholarships & Aid

• Find a scholarship
• Federal & State Resources
• Frequently ask questions

Workforce Investment Act Board Policies

• Career scholarships are limited to $5000.00 and/or the standard duration of two years. Training exceeding $5000.00 in cost or two years in duration may be approved on a case by case basis by the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance Director. Applicants are required to justify any training exceptions (e.g. offer of employment contigent upon a particular training). Funding for the second year is contingen upon participant performance in the first year. Factors taken into consideration for evaluating performance include the following: success completing the course as measured by number of relevant courses taken, GPA, and/or whether the student remains in good academic standing. It is further reiterated that Workforce Investment Act Funds may not be used to pay for repeating failed classes. It is the participant's responsibility to pay in that circumstance. If a participant is successful in the first year of training they may, at the discretion of the Workforce Director, be allowed to exceed the $5000.00 limit.
• Training not on the locally approved list may be approved on a case by case basis by the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance Director. Applicants are required to justify any training exceptions (e.g. offer of employment contingent upon a particular training not on the list). These exceptions will be classified as "unque" or "high demand" in the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE) system.
• Workforce Investment Act funds will not be available to applicants with college or advanced degrees. This further includes indivduals with AA degrees.
• Workforce Investment Act Counselors can approve up to $500.00 for supportive services including physical examinations, required immunizations, equipment, uniforms, etc.
• All individuals applying for training funds must have a complete criminal background check compleleted.
• All individuals applying for training must complete all items on the assessment checklist at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the training course.