We are not a staffing agency and cannot place you directly into a job. We help you build a job-search and career plan, strengthen your job-search skills, and address obstacles that may be making it harder to find your next position.

The workNet DuPage Career Center is located at:

The Career Center is also accessible by Pace bus route 722.

No. workNet DuPage is not the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or IDES. Questions about unemployment claims and benefits should be directed to IDES.

Visit the IDES website

No. workNet DuPage services are provided at no cost.

The Career Center is primarily funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, commonly called WIOA. These funds are administered locally by the DuPage County Workforce Development Division.

No. WIOA funds employment and workforce-training services for eligible job seekers. FAFSA is the application used to determine eligibility for federal student financial aid.

The first step is determining whether you are eligible for WIOA services. If you are eligible, you and your assigned Career Counselor will complete a required assessment process and develop an employment plan.

Eligibility does not guarantee approval for a training grant.

Start the WIOA application process

Not necessarily. You and your Career Counselor will review your skills, education, work history, job-search efforts, financial and family circumstances, labor-market information, and other factors.

This assessment results in a customized employment plan, which may or may not include funding for training.

workNet DuPage administers different grants with different eligibility requirements. Factors that may qualify someone include:

• Being laid off and receiving, or having received, unemployment benefits.
• Meeting household-income requirements.
• Receiving public assistance, such as SNAP benefits or cash assistance.
• Other circumstances reviewed by the workNet DuPage team.

Eligibility can be complicated, and every situation is different. You must complete the intake process to receive an eligibility determination.

Get started

No. Being eligible for WIOA services does not guarantee approval for training funding.

No. WIOA is an employment and training program, not a stand-alone financial-aid program.

You will work with a Career Counselor to develop a customized plan addressing your career goals, employment needs, and job-search strategy. You may also participate in workshops or other career services and must remain in regular contact with your Career Counselor while working toward your goals.

The timeline varies based on the number of applications being processed and how quickly you complete the required steps and provide requested information.

On average, the process may take approximately two to four weeks. Because WIOA requires several steps, a training grant generally cannot be approved within one or two business days.

If your program begins within the next few days and you have not started the WIOA process, you may need to wait for a later course start date.

If you are approved for a training grant, workNet DuPage may pay eligible training costs up to a maximum of $10,000.

You must cover costs above the funding limit through another source, such as financial aid, scholarships, or personal funds.

If you plan to use personal funds, you may be required to provide evidence that the funds are available. If you need additional financial aid, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

WIOA funding typically covers the final eligible portion of tuition costs, up to the applicable limit, to help ensure you can complete the program.

Apply for federal student aid

No. workNet DuPage pays the approved training institution directly. Payments cannot be issued directly to participants.

No. A WIOA training grant does not have to be repaid.

Do not begin classes or make payments if you need WIOA funding to cover the cost. workNet DuPage cannot reimburse you for tuition or other payments you make before approval.

Wait until your Career Counselor confirms that your training has been approved before registering for or beginning classes.

Questions about how school or training may affect unemployment benefits should be directed to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Benefit eligibility depends on your individual claim and circumstances.

Visit the IDES website

No. workNet DuPage may provide funding for approved occupational training, but we do not conduct the classes.

If you are approved for a WIOA training grant, you will attend classes through an approved school or training provider.

WIOA funding may only be used for programs and training providers that have been approved for WIOA funding.

You may select from the approved programs that align with your employment plan, career goals, and local labor-market demand. Final approval must be completed with your Career Counselor before you enroll.

Search for WIOA-approved training programs

You may begin at the first available course start date after your training grant and program have been approved.

Do not register for classes, begin training, or make payments until your Career Counselor confirms that approval is complete.

Short-term occupational training prepares you for employment in a specific occupation and can typically be completed within one year.

Approved programs must align with labor-market information showing that related jobs are available and provide wages that support career advancement. The training must also lead to a recognized certificate or credential that improves your employment prospects.

You are encouraged to continue pursuing longer-term education and career goals after completing WIOA services.

You are expected to attend regularly, remain in good academic standing, complete the approved program, and earn the associated credential whenever applicable.

You must also stay in contact with your Career Counselor and provide requested documents, such as attendance records, grades, progress reports, certificates, or credential results.

Contact your Career Counselor promptly if you experience attendance problems, academic difficulties, schedule changes, or any issue that could affect your ability to complete training.

Notify your Career Counselor as soon as you begin a new job and complete any required employment-status documentation.

You are strongly encouraged to complete your current training program and take any related credential examinations. Depending on your circumstances, your WIOA case may close after employment begins, or you may continue receiving services.

If funding was approved for additional training that has not started, workNet DuPage may seek a refund or cancel those unused training costs.

Your primary goals are to:

• Successfully complete approved training.
• Earn the associated credential or certificate.
• Secure employment related to your career plan.
• Retain employment and continue progressing toward financial stability.

Participant outcomes also contribute to the performance measures used to evaluate the local WIOA program and support continued funding.