The short answer
In Minnesota, you apply for WIOA through CareerForce, the state's American Job Centers. The program is run by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). WIOA can only pay for programs on the Minnesota eligible training provider list, and your local center decides what it funds.
Who runs WIOA in Minnesota
In Minnesota, WIOA services are delivered at CareerForce locations, the state's American Job Centers, and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) administers the program and the eligible training provider list.
Minnesota WIOA links
- Find a job centerCareerForce locations
- Approved training list (ETPL)CareerOneStop WIOA training finder for Minnesota
- State agencyMinnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
- CareerForce (Minnesota job and career site)
- CareerOneStop job center finder for Minnesota
What is specific to Minnesota
- DEED makes the list public through its Career and Education Explorer, which separates WIOA-certified programs from other training.
- Providers must be licensed, registered or exempt with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, and refresh their information every two years to stay certified.
- If you were laid off, ask CareerForce about dislocated worker services; Minnesota runs a state dislocated worker program alongside WIOA.
How to apply for WIOA in Minnesota
Find your local center
Find your nearest CareerForce location and ask about WIOA adult or dislocated worker services.
Register and get assessed
You register, often in CareerForce, then meet a career planner for an assessment of your skills, goals and situation.
Prove eligibility
Bring ID, proof you can work in the U.S., and proof of income, public assistance or layoff. Men in the required age group need Selective Service registration.
Pick an approved program
Choose a program on the Minnesota eligible training provider list that leads to a job in demand in your area.
Start training
If you are approved and funds are available, the center sets up payment to the school, often through an Individual Training Account.
Training WIOA can pay for in Minnesota
WIOA pays for programs on the Minnesota list that lead to jobs in demand where you live. These are the training types people ask about most; each guide explains the rules.
Free to ask, no obligation
Get matched with approved training near you
Tell us what you want to train for in Minnesota. We pass your request to training providers near you, who may contact you about their programs. Before you enroll anywhere, check that the program is on your state's approved list and talk to your local job center about WIOA funding.
Thanks, your request is in.
Training providers near you may contact you by email, or by phone if you gave one.
While you wait, the step that unlocks WIOA funding is a visit to your local American Job Center: find your job center, or check which programs you may fit.
Nearby states
Live near a state line, or moving? WIOA usually runs through the job center where you live, but these guides cover the neighbors of Minnesota.
First time hearing of WIOA? Read what WIOA is, check who qualifies, and see what it pays for.
Common questions
Where do I apply for WIOA in Minnesota?
At a CareerForce location. CareerForce lists every location on its locations page.
What does WIOA certified mean in Minnesota?
It means a program is on DEED's eligible training provider list and can be paid for with WIOA training funds, if you qualify and your counselor approves it.
How much will WIOA pay for training in Minnesota?
It depends on your local workforce board. Federal rules let state and local boards cap the amount and length of training accounts, so the limit can differ within Minnesota. Your career planner can tell you the local cap.
Can I apply for WIOA in Minnesota through a school or this site?
No. Schools can tell you whether a program is approved, and our form can connect you with training providers, but only CareerForce can enroll you in WIOA and approve funding.
Last reviewed October 13, 2026. WIOA details are set by states and local workforce boards and can change; confirm with your local American Job Center before you enroll anywhere.