Career Depot: What is an ITA?

An Individual Training Account (ITA) is similar to a bank account in that a sum of money is set aside to assist in paying for an individual's training. In Northwest Georgia's 15-country area, the ITA system is managed by the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center.
The ITA pays for training in a specific occupation or specific program of study. It is available for individuals ages 19 and older and for workers of any age whose plants have had major layoffs or have closed . People who receive ITAs must have met the criteria for training under Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funded services. The school or program of study for which an ITA is issued must be on the State approved list of training providers.
Policies Regarding ITAs--
	Training must be in occupations identified in the local WIA Plan as growth occupations or documentation of employment prospects for areas not listed in the Plan should be provided.
	Training must result in an employment wage sufficient to enable the individual to become self-sufficient (i.e., without the aid of public assistance).
	Training must be at least 12-quarter hours per week to accommodate existing Unemployment Insurance (U.I.) requirements. Exceptions to the policy may be approved, in writing, on a case-by-case basis.
	Programs of study should not exceed 104 weeks (two years). Exceptions to this policy may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Requests should include evidence that financial support is available during extended training periods.
	In general, all training programs must be within a reasonable commute of the WIA local area. Out-of-the-area and out-of-state training programs that are not within commuting distance to the local area may be approved on a case-by-case basis. All approved training must be located within the contiguous United States.
	All applicants must apply for the PELL Grant and/or HOPE Scholarship program, if eligible. Depending on the need and availability of WIA funding, PELL funds may be combined with WIA funds to cover total expenses.
	WIA funding may be provided for college level and post-baccalaureate instruction only if all of the following conditions have been met.
	1	The registrant must be accepted into a certificate or diploma program, and the course of study must be occupation specific (i.e. radiologic technician, accounting, teacher certification, etc.). No funds shall be provided for general academic programs (i.e., General Studies, Bachelor's of Art, etc.);
	2	Total course of study will take no longer than 104 weeks (2 years) to complete and will be a certificate program; and
	3	The registrant must demonstrate that he/she has the financial resources to attend long-term training.
	Continuing education and other similar courses may be approved if the following conditions apply;
	1	The registrant must have a specific occupational goal;
	2	The registrant must have a work history or educational background that relates to the occupational goal; and
	3	The registrant must present evidence describing how the proposed training will increase their employment marketability.
	ITAs may be utilized for expenses relating to training, including but not limited to the following: books, tuition and fees, supplies, tools, uniforms and shoes, certification, licensing, testing fees, drug testing for entrance into training, medical requirements for training entrance, etc.
	Registrants accepted on a provisional basis may receive assistance on a case-by-case basis.
	ITAs will not be used for payment of late fees caused by registrant error or delay. The registrant will be responsible for those fees, the same as they are responsible for other fines or penalties they incur outside of WIA.
	The local Workforce Investment Board will determine funding limitations. A sample guide to training limitations follows:
	1	Up to $5,000 in training costs, excluding support, may be expended for each registrant for the first year of training; and
	2	For training that extends beyond one year, total training costs may not exceed $8,000, excluding support.
	3	If the cost of training exceeds funds limitation guidelines, career advisors will assist the registrant in developing a financial plan to cover total costs of training. Registrants shall not be required to apply for or access student loans, or incur personal debt as a condition of participation.
For more information on ITAs, contact the following:
	Appalachian Technical College; 706.253.4589 or706.632-2033
	Chattahoochee Technical College; 770.443.3622
	Coosa Valley Technical College; 706.295.6935 or 888.331.2882
	Dalton State College; 706.272.4412
	Georgia Highlands College; 706.368.8879 or 800.332.2406
	North Metro Technical College; 770.975.4026
	Northwestern Technical College; 706.764.3562 or 800.735.5726
	West Central Technical College; 770.537.2854 or 838.2525
You may also contact:
	Lesia Lambert Coosa Valley Regional Development Center P.O. Box 1793 Rome, Georgia 30162-1793 Phone: 706.295.6485 or 800.332.1965; Fax: 706.802.5567