1. Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction, leading to completion of secondary school, including dropout prevention strategies. These strategies must lead to completion of the requirements for a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (including a recognized certificate or attendance or similar document for individuals with disabilities) or for a recognized post-secondary credential. 2. Alternative secondary school services or dropout recovery services. 3. Paid and unpaid work experiences that link academic and occupational education. Work experience helps youth understand proper workplace behavior and what is necessary in order to attain and retain employment. They are designed to enable youth to gain exposure to the working world and its requirements. Work experiences can serve as a steppingstone to unsubsidized employment and is an important step in the process of developing a career pathway for youth. This is particularly important for youth with disabilities. A work experience may take place in the private for-profit sector, the non-profit sector, or the public sector. Labor standards apply in any work experience where an employer/employee relationship, as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act or applicable State law, exists. Work experiences provide the youth participant with opportunities for career exploration and skill development, which may include: Summer employment opportunities and other employment opportunities throughout the year; Pre-apprenticeship programs; Internships and job shadowing; and On-the-job training (youth is hired by the employer, and the employer is reimbursed the youth’s wages while youth is in training). 4. Occupational skills training. Occupational skills training shall include priority consideration for training programs that lead to recognized post-secondary credentials that are aligned with state and local in-demand industry sectors or occupations. Such training must: Be outcome-oriented and focused on occupational goals specified in the IOP; Be of sufficient duration to impart the skills needed to meet the occupational goal; and Result in the attainment of a recognized post-secondary credential. An Individual Training Account (ITA) is one of the primary methods through which training is financed and provided. Training providers are on a state approved list and may be funded with WIOA, TANF, or other available funds. Training programs should be aligned with in-demand employment sectors.
