September Career Reset - How Job Seekers Are Using WIOA to Pivot Before Year-End
illi News/10312697

CHICAGO - illiNews -- With the fourth quarter around the corner, Mentor Agile announced open enrollment for its Product Owner / Product Manager course, highlighting how eligible Illinois job seekers can use WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding to reskill now and step into the new year with in-demand, employer-ready skills.

"September is the perfect reset; there's still time to upskill, graduate before year-end, and hit January with momentum," said Akber, Program Director at Mentor Agile. "For those who qualify, WIOA can cover tuition, removing a major barrier to transitioning into Agile Product roles."

Why September?

• WIOA windows: Local workforce boards actively enroll fall cohorts, helping candidates lock in funding before budgets reset.

About the Course

• Format: 12-week program, weekly live sessions + guided practice, portfolio labs, interview prep.
  
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• Core skills: Agile/Scrum foundations, product discovery & validation, stakeholder communication, backlog mastery, metrics/OKRs, delivery at scale.
  
  
• Proof of readiness: Real-world product case study, user stories & acceptance criteria, roadmap, and a demo-ready backlog artifact.
  
  
• Career support: Resume & LinkedIn refresh, mock interviews, and job-search strategy tailored to Product roles.

WIOA: How It Works (At a Glance)

• What it is: Federal workforce funding administered by local American Job Centers (AJCs) / workforce boards.
  
  
• Who may qualify: Unemployed/underemployed job seekers and other eligible groups (determined by local guidelines).
  
  
• What it can cover: Tuition and training costs for approved programs; eligibility and coverage are set by your local board.
  
  
• Next steps: Attend an AJC orientation, confirm eligibility, obtain a training voucher, and enroll in the Mentor Agile program listed with the state.

"If you're serious about a career change, use September to secure WIOA approval and a seat in our fall cohort," Khan added. "We focus on hands-on portfolio work so you can speak the language of value, evidence, and outcomes by the time you interview."

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Upcoming Cohorts: Fall start dates are now enrolling; limited WIOA-funded seats are available based on local approvals.

Check if You're Eligible: https://courses.mentoragile.com/state-funded-mads-cook-county

About Mentor Agile

Mentor Agile is an Illinois IBHE-approved Private Business & Vocational School offering practical, job-ready training for Agile Product Owners, Product Managers, and Scrum Masters. The program blends live instruction, real-world labs, and career coaching to help learners pivot into high-impact product roles.

Media & Enrollment Contact
Mentor Agile
(630) 201-8018 • info@mentoragile.com
mentoragile.com • courses.mentoragile.com