What do I say when the WIOA counselor asks about my career goal?

Name one job, say why it fits you, show it is in demand where you live, name a program from the state's approved list, and say how you will finish it. Keep it under a minute.

What jobs will WIOA pay training for?

Jobs on your local board's in-demand list, through programs on the state's Eligible Training Provider List. Common ones are CNA, CDL, medical assistant, phlebotomy, IT support, welding, HVAC, and electrical.

What if my job is not on the in-demand list?

WIOA usually cannot pay for that training in your area. Ask the counselor for a close job that is on the list, or ask whether the list covers the area you plan to move to.

Do I need to pick a school before my WIOA appointment?

It helps a lot. Look at two or three programs for your job on the state's approved list and bring your top pick. Your counselor will check it with you.

Can WIOA help with bills while I train?

WIOA does not pay wages, but many boards help with bus fare, gas, child care, uniforms, and tools. These are called supportive services. Ask what your board offers.

How to Talk About Your Career Goal at WIOA Intake

The short answer

Name one job, say why it fits you, show it is in demand where you live, name a program from your state's approved list, and say how you will finish it. Those five things are what the counselor needs before WIOA will pay for training.

The career goal is the most important answer at intake. WIOA training money is limited, and the law says it can only pay for training that leads to an in-demand job in your area, or in the area you plan to move to. A clear, researched goal is the fastest way to a funded seat.

What the counselor needs to hear at intake

One job title. "Phlebotomist," not "something in healthcare."
Why it fits you. A reason tied to your past work, your skills, or what you like to do.
Proof of demand. The job is on your area's in-demand list, and employers near you are hiring.
A program on the ETPL. WIOA only pays schools and programs on the state's Eligible Training Provider List.
A plan to finish. Your schedule, rides, child care, and how you will pay bills while you train.

Pick one job, not a field

"I want to work in healthcare" is a wish. "I want to be a certified nursing assistant at a hospital, then go on to LPN" is a goal. The counselor can fund a goal, because it points to one training program and one kind of job at the end.

If you are torn between two jobs, say so, and say which one you lean toward and why. Counselors can help you choose, and many centers give a career interest survey. But walking in with a first choice moves things faster.

Check that the job is in demand where you live

Ask for the in-demand list. Every local workforce board keeps one. Many post it online. If your job is not on it, WIOA usually cannot pay for the training.
Look up pay and openings. CareerOneStop shows pay and job outlook for every job, by state. Write down the typical starting pay.
Count real job postings. Search the job title and your city on a job site. Ten or more open postings is a strong sign. Bring two or three printed or saved.

Choose a program from the state list

Find two or three programs for your job on your state's Eligible Training Provider List. Your counselor can pull it up, and most states post it online. Compare them on:

Price, compared with your board's spending cap.
Length and schedule: days, nights, or weekends.
How many students finish, and how many get jobs.
Whether it ends in the license or certificate employers ask for.
When the next class starts.

Bring your top pick and the reason you picked it. State lists and links are in WIOA programs by state.

Show you can finish

The counselor wants every person they fund to finish. Have an answer for each of these:

Schedule. Can you make every class? What about work?
Rides. How will you get there every day?
Child care. Who watches your kids during class?
Money. How will you pay rent and bills while you train?

If one of these is a problem, say so. WIOA can often help with bus fare, gas, child care, uniforms, or tools. These are called supportive services. Ask what your board offers.

A sample answer

"I want to be a phlebotomist at a hospital or a blood lab. I worked as a cashier for four years, and I am good with people and careful with details, which matters when you draw blood. Phlebotomy is on the in-demand list for this area, and I found fourteen openings within 20 miles, most starting around $19 an hour. I compared three programs on the state list and picked the eight-week one at the community college, because it has a night schedule, includes the national exam, and most of its students get jobs. My mom will watch my son on class nights, and I will keep working weekends. I would like to ask about help with gas."

Why it works: it covers all five points in under a minute: the job, why it fits, the proof of demand, the program, and the plan. It also asks for help instead of hiding a problem. Use your own facts, in the same order.

Training guides by job

Each guide shows how WIOA pays for training in one job: the credential, the cost, how long it takes, and what to ask your counselor.

If the counselor says no to your goal

Ask why, and ask for it in writing. The usual reasons are that the job is not on the in-demand list, the program is not on the ETPL, the price is over the board's cap, or the money for this year is used up. Each has a fix: pick a close job that is on the list, pick another program, ask about a waitlist, or look at a Pell Grant. Every local board must also have a complaint process if you think you were treated unfairly.

What to do next

Say your career goal out loud until it takes under a minute and covers all five points. The practice tool at the top of this page plays the counselor and asks the follow-up questions.