For many adults, the biggest obstacle to career growth isn’t motivation — it’s the cost.
WIOA-funded job training programs are helping remove that barrier by covering the cost of career training and certification programs tied directly to employment. Tuition bills, job losses or caregiving responsibilities can put education out of reach, even when it’s the key to a better job.
What is WIOA?
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, known as WIOA, is a federal workforce development program that helps eligible learners pay for job training tied to in-demand careers. Funding is administered locally through workforce agencies such as ARIZONA@WORK.
That’s where Arizona State University comes in. Through WIOA-approved career training programs, ASU helps people gain new skills, earn credentials and career certificates, and reenter the workforce without taking on heavy debt.
How WIOA funding covers career training costs
Traditional financial aid wasn’t designed for working adults. Many learners don’t qualify for grants or loans because they’re enrolled in short-term job training programs instead of full degree programs.
WIOA funding is designed to remove cost barriers to career training by covering the cost of approved job training programs tied to in-demand roles. Eligible learners work with local workforce advisors to identify career goals and select WIOA-approved certification programs that lead directly to employment.
Once approved, training costs are paid through the WIOA program, allowing learners to focus on building skills and completing their training without taking on tuition debt.
Career training programs built for working adults
WIOA-funded career training programs align with ASU’s mission to serve learners at every life stage and expand access to economic opportunity. From short professional certificates to stackable programs that connect directly to ASU degrees, these offerings are designed for adaptability. Learners can move from a single course to a career certificate or credential, and eventually to a degree — all on their own schedule.
“Education can’t be a one-shot opportunity at age 18,” Hendricks said. “It has to be something you can return to whenever you’re ready, and that means removing cost as a deal-breaker.”
How to get started
Financial assistance can feel complicated, but the steps to begin are straightforward. Here’s what the process looks like for most learners.
Who Qualifies for WIOA-Funded Training?
Eligibility for WIOA-funded training varies by location and is based on factors such as employment status, income level and career goals. Local workforce advisors help determine eligibility and guide learners through the application process.
- Connect with your local workforce office
In Arizona, start with ARIZONA@WORK, part of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act network. They’ll help determine if you qualify for training funds and walk you through the paperwork. - Attend an orientation
Workforce advisors explain how funding works, what documents are needed and which ASU programs are eligible. - Choose your program
ASU offers several WIOA-approved options through CareerCatalyst, with training costs fully covered for eligible learners in high-demand fields. This includes healthcare, business and information technology. A complete list is available on the Arizona Job Connection site.
- Agile Project Management - prepares learners to apply agile methods to plan, execute and adapt projects in fast-changing work environments
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) - trains learners to perform clinical, administrative and patient-support tasks required in modern outpatient and ambulatory care settings.
- Certified EKG Technician - builds the skills to conduct electrocardiograms, monitor heart activity and support diagnostic care in clinical settings
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) - develops foundational skills to manage patient records, scheduling, billing and front-office operations in healthcare facilities
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician - prepares learners to collect blood specimens safely, follow laboratory protocols and support diagnostic testing
- Certified Physical Therapy Aide - introduces core physical therapy concepts and the hands-on skills needed to assist therapists with patient care and clinic operations
- Certified Professional Life Coach - builds coaching skills aligned to ICF core competencies to support individuals in setting goals, navigating change and improving performance
- Clinical Dental Assistant - prepares learners to support dental teams by assisting with clinical procedures, infection control, radiology fundamentals and patient care in dental practice settings
- Cybersecurity Online Bootcamp - develops practical skills to identify risks, secure systems and apply defense strategies used in modern cybersecurity roles
- Digital Advertising Online Bootcamp - introduces the core tools and strategies of SEO, content development and social media marketing used in digital advertising
- Medical Billing and Coding - prepares learners to interpret clinical documentation, apply coding guidelines and support billing processes across healthcare systems.
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) - trains learners in exercise science, client assessment and program design to prepare for the NASM certification exam
- Optician Certification Training - builds the competencies needed to fit eyewear, interpret prescriptions and prepare for ABO and NCLE certification exams
- Patient Care Technician - prepares learners to deliver basic patient care, perform diagnostic tasks and support nurses across clinical settings
- Pharmacy Technician - introduces pharmacy operations, medication safety and dispensing practices required for entry-level roles in retail and clinical pharmacies
- Project Management Fundamentals Certificate - provides foundational tools for planning, organizing and leading projects across industries
- Software Engineering Online Bootcamp - develops essential skills in programming, software architecture and full-stack development for emerging tech roles
- Sterile Processing Technician - prepares learners to clean, sterilize, assemble and manage medical instruments while following infection prevention standards required in surgical and clinical settings
- Web Development Online Bootcamp - builds practical skills in front- and back-end development to create, test and maintain modern web applications
- Complete your training plan
You’ll work with your advisor to build a Personal Training Plan — a document outlining your goals, chosen program and funding details. Once approved, your advisor coordinates directly with ASU to finalize enrollment. - Begin your training
Most learners can start classes within a few weeks of approval. Programs are flexible, allowing learners to balance work, family and study while preparing for new roles in growing industries. - Explore other options if you’re not eligible for WIOA
Learners can also consider ASU’s affordable, low-risk undergraduate pathways and career-aligned certificates through Universal Learner Courses or Earned Admission, or explore their employer's tuition benefits for professional upskilling.
For learners across Arizona and beyond, these programs are more than financial tools — they’re lifelines. They give people a way to start again, to gain stability and to shape the workforce of the future.
