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  2. Employment & Training
  3. Partners
  4. WIOA Title I-A & I-B
  5. Policy & Procedure Manual
  6. 7.3 Eligible Institutions and Program Types
  7. Previous Policy - 7.3.1 Eligible Institution Types

7.3.1 Eligible Institution Types

Effective date: January 20, 2020 - March 15, 2022

Eligible institutions must be one of the following:

  1. institutions of higher education;1
  2. entities that carry out programs registered under the National Apprenticeship Act or a recognized State apprenticeship agency;2
    OR
  3. other public or private institutions of training services (e.g., community-based organizations, joint labor-management organizations, and eligible providers of adult education and literacy activities under Title II of WIOA).3
  4. Note: Eligible Title II providers will only be included on the list if their programs offer adult education and literacy activities in combination with occupational skills training.4


Institution of Higher Education

Effective date: September 2, 2019

An "institution of higher education" means an educational institution that:

  • is a public or other nonprofit institution that is legally authorized within the state to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;
  • is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association OR has been granted preaccreditation status and the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards within a reasonable amount of time;
  • admits as regular students only individuals who have a certificate of graduation from a post-secondary school (i.e. high school) or the recognized equivalent;
    AND
  • provides an educational program that:
    • awards a bachelor's degree upon successful completion OR
    • is not less than two years and is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree OR
    • awards a degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional degree program (subject to review and approval by the Secretary of the Department of Education) OR
    • provides not less than a one-year program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

20 U.S.C. § 1001



Eligible Providers of Adult Education and Literacy Activities under Title II

Effective date: September 2, 2019

Examples of "eligible providers of adult education and literacy activities under Title II" are outlined in WIOA Section 203(5).

Types of programs include:

  • academic instruction and education services below the post-secondary level that increase an individual's ability to (a) attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, (b) transition to post-secondary training, or (c) obtain employment;
  • English literacy and language acquisition; and
  • workforce preparation that may or may not be integrated with training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster.

WIOA Secs. 203(1), (2) & (11); 81 FR 56115



Occupational Skills Training

Effective date: September 2, 2019

"Occupational skills training" is an organized program of study that provides specific vocational skills that lead to proficiency in performing actual tasks and technical functions required by certain occupational fields at entry, intermediate, or advanced levels.

20 CFR § 681.540