ITA Policies & Procedures-Updated 7/21/2025

Attached below are five ITA Policies and Procedures. Click on each procedure to open or download.

1) UPDATE! The ITA Initiation Procedure has been updated as of 7/21/2025 (see attachment).  NOTE: Please DO NOT enter any Initial ITA Request services after 5:45pm Central Time (CT) on Friday.  Any Initial ITA Request services entered after the deadline above will not transfer to ISTS.  You can resume entering the Initial ITA Request service on Monday at 8am Central Time (CT).

2) 40 Occupation List (as of June 16, 2022) to add additional approved occupations.

The IL Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) revised the statewide Demand Occupation Training List effective 7/1/2021.  As a result, some previously approved ITA Training Programs will not be allowed after July 1, 2021.

Beginning July 1, 2021, any Individual Employment Plan (IEP) or Individual Service Strategy (ISS) developed must use the new demand occupation training list. Participants can still receive ITA’s for training for  occupations listed in Green or Yellow as noted below.  IEPs or ISSs cannot be developed for ITA programs Red.

Color	Training Occupation Status	Instructions
Occupations Colored in Green	These Occupations are considered High-Priority and ITA’s can continue to be requested.	No special instructions. Follow normal ITA IEP/ISS and training justification guidelines.
Occupations Colored in Yellow	ITA’s for these Occupations may be requested but require additional documentation in the IEP or ISS by Career Coaches to ensure that those occupations are supporting training participants to access and progress along a demonstratable career pathway, and this training is available in our local area. Participants should also intend to pursue further training along their chosen career pathways.	You must add a case note that includes information regarding the occupational training chosen as well as its career pathway demonstrating that this initial training will be the first step.  For further information on types of Career Pathways for each occupation, please refer to the Career Exploration Procedure which has information on how to get the Career Ladder in CC for each occupation. You may also use other outside sources at your discretion.
Occupations Colored in Red	These Occupations are not listed on the current Demand Occupation list therefore new ITAs must not be requested at this time.	No new IEP/ISS’s may be developed for training in these occupations. Participants enrolled in training in affected programs prior to July 1, 2021, are allowed to continue their training.

The list will be updated when there are any changes to the list in either our area or on a statewide basis.

1)  ITA Policy Letter: The Policy Letter provides an overview of the ITA process and explains the targeted occupations for ITAs as well as ITA cost and duration limits. 

2) Revised 40 Occupation List as of 6/12/2022

3) ITA Initiation Procedure:  has been updated as of 7/21/2025 and explains when and how to enter the "Initial ITA Request" service in Career Connect. Entering the service in Career Connect triggers the transmission of data to the International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS) system where career coaches can then complete the ITA Application.

4) 2nd ITA Request Form

5) ITA Service Procedure: explains how and when to enter the Occupational Classroom Training-ITA service in Career Connect.