WIOA is a federal program that provides job training, education, and employment services to eligible customers. The program is aimed at improving employability, expanding earning potential, and helping participants retain a job. WIOA serves adults, dislocated workers, and youth.
On the Job Training
Individuals may have the opportunity to learn skills on the job rather than attending school. Funds may be available to help the employer with training costs when a connection can be made with an employer to train participants for a permanent job. The individual would need to be enrolled into WIOA and a contract signed by the employer. The funding would normally cover 50% of the individuals salary for up to six months.
Support Services (including Transportation Assistance)
Job Service North Dakota may be able to assist with support services if financial challenges keep participants from taking part in approved WIOA program activities, such as OJT. If an individual is in an OJT, JSND may be able to help with transportation assistance until the first paycheck is received, or in an emergency situation.
Federal Bonding Program
The Federal Bonding Program is an employer incentive to hire job applicants that may have background risk factors. The program doesn’t cost the job seeker or employer. Job Service pays for the fidelity bond that protects the employer against losses caused by fraudulent or dishonest acts of the bonded employee. Examples of such acts of employee dishonesty include: theft, forgery, larceny, and embezzlement. Employers receive the bond free-of-charge as an incentive to hire these applicants. Each FBP bond has a $5,000 limit with $0 deductible and covers the first six months of a selected individual’s employment. Employers contact Ruth Lacher at 328-3034 upon hiring an individual with a risk factor in his/her background.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
WOTC is a federal tax credit available to employers who invest in American job seekers who have consistently faced barriers to employment. Employers may meet their business needs and claim a tax credit if they hire an individual who is in a WOTC targeted group. This tax credit can be worth up to $9,800 per individual depending on the group(s) they would fall into.
Employers must apply for and receive a certification verifying the new hire is a member of a targeted group before they can claim the tax credit. After the required certification is secured, taxable employers claim the WOTC as a general business credit against their income taxes, and tax-exempt employers claim the WOTC against their payroll taxes.
Target Groups:
VETERAN GROUPS
• Veterans receiving SNAP benefits,
• Veterans with a service-connected disability hired within 1 year of leaving active duty,
• Veterans with a service-connected disability unemployed for at least 6 months,
• Veterans unemployed for at least 4 weeks, and
• Veterans unemployed for at least 6 months.
NON VETERAN TARGET GROUPS
• Long-term Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients
• Short-term TANF recipients
• 18-39 year old SNAP (formerly food stamps) recipients
• 18-39 year old designated community residents residing in designated counties
• Vocational Rehabilitation referrals
• Ex-Felons hired within 1 year of conviction and or release from incarceration
• Supplemental Security Income recipients
• Long-Term Unemployed
https://www.jobsnd.com/employer-resources/work-opportunity-tax-credit
