New workforce act reshapes youth services

The new workforce act that goes into effect on July 1, 2015 will allow the Kendall Youth Employment Program (KYEP) to raise the age of youth served to 24 years old.  The new law also states that youth do not have to be a member of a low income household to receive services if they are a dropout, if they are on probation, or if they are a parent; other youth who want help finding a job or preparing for career will have to meet income guidelines.

President Obama signed this law, which is called Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), into law on July 22, 2014; WIOA had rare bipartisan support and passed by overwhelming margins in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

KYEP, a program of the Grundy-Kendall Regional Office of Education, is entering its sixth year. The program is funded by the River Valley Workforce Investment Board.

Mark Leigh, KYEP coordinator, says that the program will now help youth who are 16-24 years of age to find jobs and to get prepared for careers. The program also helps dropouts pass the GED by providing one-on-one tutoring. For more information on the program, call 630-553-4166.  Click here for a KYEP flyer.