Skills training is provided by vendors who are selected through a statewide procurement process and who are listed in a training catalogue. The number of options has grown from an original list of 27 vendors offering a total of 125 programs to more than 100 vendors and hundreds of programs, with the list still increasing. In some areas, they work at one of the state's one-stop career centers. These local offices also have the flexibility to work with vendors to customize training for individuals requiring specific job skills. Flyers describing the program and types of courses offered are on display in the local DTA office reception areas, and are handed out to all DTA staff.
All clients receive assessment, counseling, and job-search assistance.
Training vendors in the local areas have developed their own relationships with local employers and are said by staff to account for many placements. The retention rate for those employed, based on a 30-day followup, was 94 percent. When our local offices like a program, it is usually because it works for their recipients. They talked excitedly among themselves about what they were going to do now that they have completed the program. After being on welfare for 6 years, she plans to use an entry-level job to learn more computer skills and eventually advance to a better job.