FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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General

Can the workNet DuPage Career Center get me a job?

No, we are not a staffing agency and do not directly get people hired into new jobs. We help job seekers develop a job search and career plan, provide instruction on how to job search successfully, and help job seekers overcome a variety of obstacles that are preventing them from landing their next position.

Where is the workNet DuPage Career Center located?

We are located at 2525 Cabot Drive in Lisle, IL. We are accessible by Pace bus 722 (view the bus route schedule here).

Is workNet DuPage the same as the Unemployment Office (IDES)?

No, the workNet DuPage Career Center is not the Unemployment Office. For information about IDES and unemployment benefits, please visit the IDES website.

Is there a cost for our services?

Because we are federally funded, all of our services are free of charge.

How is the workNet DuPage Career Center funded?

We are federally funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the funds are administered locally by the DuPage County Workforce Development Division.

What is WIOA? Are WIOA and FAFSA the same thing?

No. WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) is a comprehensive employment and training services program serving job seekers and businesses to develop the local workforce. FAFSA is a federal financial aid application.

Training Grants

How do I apply for a WIOA training grant?

To apply for a WIOA training grant you must first be determined eligible. Once you are determined to be eligible, you and your assigned Career Counselor will complete a required assessment process. Eligibility does not indicate approval for a WIOA training grant.

Please fill out this form to get started.

Does having an Intake Appointment or an Assessment Appointment mean that I will receive a WIOA training grant?

Not necessarily. Together, you and your Career Counselor will review and assess the details of your situation, including your skill set, previous education and work history, how long you’ve been job searching, the quality of your job search, your financial situation, your family situation, labor market data, job descriptions, and more. This assessment leads to your customized employment plan which may or may not include funding for training.

Who is eligible for training grants?

workNet DuPage has different grants with different eligibility criteria. There are many factors that could make you eligible including (but not limited to):

You were laid off and have received or are receiving unemployment benefits, OR
You meet household income requirements or are receiving public assistance such as SNAP benefits or cash assistance OR
A number of other factors that would be determined once you connect with our team.
Because it can be complicated and everyone’s situation is different, you need to schedule an appointment to find out if you are eligible. Please complete this form to get started.

If I’m eligible, do I get a training grant?

No, please note being “eligible” does not guarantee you will be approved for a training grant.

Can I “just” get a training grant and no other services?

No, that is not how the WIOA program works. This is not a financial assistance program similar to receiving a Pell grant. Rather, you will work with a Career Counselor to develop a customized plan that addresses all aspects of your career plan, employment goals, and job search strategies. You will likely participate in other services such as job search workshops. You will be required to stay in regular contact with your Career Counselor until all goals are achieved and you have secured employment.

How long does the process take?

The process of being enrolled in WIOA services, including potentially receiving funding for training, depends primarily on two factors and varies from person to person. The first factor is the volume of requests and applications being processed through the workNet DuPage Career Center, i.e. how busy we are. The second factor is how quickly you follow through on the required steps and supply required information, etc. On average, the process may take 2-4 weeks to complete.

Because there are steps involved required by the WIOA law, please note that it is generally not possible to complete everything and approve a training grant within 1-2 business days. If your program is starting in the next few days and you have not started the process yet, the chances are high that you will need to wait until the next course start date.

How much money may I get for training?

If you are eligible for a training grant, we will pay for the cost of your training up to a cap of $10,000. (See FAQS about Training Programs for more information.)

What if the cost of my training is more than the cap?

If the cost of your training program is more than the cap, you will be required to cover the additional cost with another source of funding or financial aid. If you plan to use your own money for this, you will need to provide evidence that you have such funds. If you need to apply for further financial aid, you should fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). WIOA grants typically cover the final $10,000 of tuition costs to ensure you are able to finish the program.

Do you give me a check for the training?

We pay the training institution directly, and this is the only way we are able make payment.

Do I have to pay back the training grant?

This is a federal grant program, therefore you do not have to pay it back.

Can I start classes before I am approved for WIOA funding?

If you pay for classes out of your own pocket, we will not be able to reimburse you, since we can only pay the training institution directly. Do not begin classes if you need a WIOA training grant to pay for your training – please wait to speak with your Career Counselor to see if you are approved for training funds. Again, we cannot reimburse you for any payments you make to any training institution.

If I start taking classes, will that cancel my unemployment benefits?

If you are receiving unemployment benefits, you will continue receiving them while you are in school.

Training Programs

Does workNet DuPage provide the training? Would I be going to class in the Career Center?

workNet DuPage provides funding for occupational training, but we do not directly provide such training. If you are approved for a WIOA training grant, you will attend classes at an approved training institution

Can I go to any training institution I choose? Can I pick any type of program I want?

We can only fund training at institutions who have been approved as WIOA training providers. However, you are able to select the training provider/school of your choice from the approved list.

Search for WIOA-approved training programs

When can I begin my training?

You can begin attending training classes at the earliest start date after you have been approved for a training grant. You should wait to speak with your Career Counselor before registering for any classes.

What is short-term occupational training?

Since the goals of WIOA are to help you become reemployed in a career that provides you with financial security as quickly as possible and that allows for increasing earning potential over time, the focus of the program is typically on training that can be completed in a year or less.

All approved training programs are aligned with labor market data to ensure that there are an adequate amount of related job openings and that those jobs pay a satisfactory wage/salary. All training programs must lead to a certificate or credential that makes you more likely to secure employment and increases your earning potential. You are strongly encouraged to continue on with your longer-term educational and career goals once you have completed WIOA services!

What happens when I begin a training program?

TBD

What happens when I get a new job?

If you land a new job after starting a training program, you are strongly encouraged to complete the program and take any associated credential exams. If you were approved for more than one training program, it is possible a refund will be secured on any programs that have not been started.
Once you land your new job, you will notify your Career Counselor and complete an Employment Status form. Depending on the details of your situation, your WIOA case may be closed at that time, or you may continue receiving services as needed.

How is success for WIOA measured? What are my goals?

Your primary goals are to successfully complete any training that has been paid for and earn a credential; secure employment and retain that employment for 1 year or more.
Our collective success with these performance metrics/goals as a Career Center affects our continued future funding.

Job Search/Career Services

Who are Career Services suitable for?

Career services are valuable for every job seeker; however, individuals who do not need an education/training program to gain marketable skills as well as those who need to return to work immediately are the “best” fit for this course of service.

What services are offered to me through Career Services?

Employment planning and job search strategy (Building Blocks group sessions)
Resume building
Cover letter writing
Career exploration
Job search advice
Job leads
Interview practicing
Job search workshops –Let’s Talk Job Search, Pitch Perfect Interviewing, and AI Resume Revolution
Quarterly hiring events (Career Conversations)
Referrals to community resources and other agencies
Access to Illinois Job Link and workNet DuPage’s jobs board
Community room usage

How do I make a Career Services appointment with a Career Counselor?

Please complete a Get Started form and select “Long-Term Services” >> “Intensive job search skills workshops and ongoing individual career coaching.” Your career counselor will contact you via phone and email to schedule your first appointment.

How long does an appointment last?

Your first appointment will last approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours.
Resume reviews and mock interviews are typically 1 ½ hour appointments,
Other appointments are scheduled on an “as needed” basis, and last for up to 1 hour, depending on the subject matter.

Do I have to meet with my counselor on a regular basis?

The WIOA law requires all individuals who have been formally enrolled in services to be in contact with their counselor once per month. This contact continues until you achieve your goals and your case is closed.
During these monthly contacts, you will provide your Counselor with an update on your job search, any challenges you may be having, any interviews you’ve had, etc. This communication can take place in the form of email, phone, virtual or in-person meeting depending on your needs. Your counselor will send a 30-Day Job “Opportunities Log” to you when you begin the process, and you can often meet the monthly contact requirement by simply submitting this.
As soon as you land any type of employment, you must let your Counselor know so that your status can be updated. We are required to gather select information about any new job(s) you secure before closing your case.

Is there a charge for these services?

No, there are no fees for any services offered at workNet DuPage.