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[[Image:WPA1.jpg|thumb|300px|WPA sewer crew in 1935]]

[[Image:WPA1.jpg|thumb|300px|WPA sewer crew in 1935]]

The '''Works Progress Administration''' (later '''Work Projects Administration''', abbreviated '''WPA'''), was created on May 6, 1935 by Presidential order (Congress funded it annually but did not create a permanent agency.). It was the largest and most comprehensive [[New Deal]] agency, employing millions of people and affecting every locality. The WPA refused to allow any job training (which labor unions strongly opposed), with the result that WPA experience did not lead to better job opportunities.  It did reduce unemplyment by finding jobs for the least employable and most needy men and women--both black and white--in the country.

The '''Works Progress Administration''' (later '''Work Projects Administration''', abbreviated '''WPA'''), was created on May 6, 1935 by Presidential order (Congress funded it annually but did not create a permanent agency.). It was the largest and most comprehensive [[New Deal]] agency, employing millions of people and affecting every locality. The WPA refused to allow any job training (which labor unions strongly opposed)<ref>There was some job training in the NYA, especially for occupations like domestic servants that were not unionized.</ref>, with the result that WPA experience did not lead to better job opportunities.  It did reduce unemplyment by finding jobs for the least employable and most needy men and women--both black and white--in the country.

WPA continued and extended the [[FERA]] relief programs started by [[Herbert Hoover]] and continued under [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].  Headed by [[Harry Hopkins]], the WPA provided jobs and income to millions of unemployed during the [[Great Depression]]. It built many public buildings and roads, and as well operated a large arts project. Until it was closed down by Congress in 1943, it was the largest employer in the country &mdash; indeed, the largest employer in most states. Only unemployed people on relief were eligible for most of its jobs. The hourly wages were the prevailing wages in the area, but workers could not work more than 30 hours a week. Before 1940, there was no training involved to teach people new skills.  

WPA continued and extended the [[FERA]] relief programs started by [[Herbert Hoover]] and continued under [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].  Headed by [[Harry Hopkins]], the WPA provided jobs and income to millions of unemployed during the [[Great Depression]]. It built many public buildings and roads, and as well operated a large arts project. Until it was closed down by Congress in 1943, it was the largest employer in the country &mdash; indeed, the largest employer in most states. Only unemployed people on relief were eligible for most of its jobs. The hourly wages were the prevailing wages in the area, but workers could not work more than 30 hours a week. Before 1940, there was no training involved to teach people new skills.  

The WPA employed a maximum of 3.3 million in November 1938. Worker pay was based on three factors: the region of the country, the degree of urbanization and the individual's skill.  It varied from $19/month to $94/month.  The goal was to pay the local prevailing wage, but to limit a person to 30 hours or less a week of work.  

The WPA employed a maximum of 3.3 million in November 1938. Worker pay was based on three factors: the region of the country, the degree of urbanization and the individual's skill.  It varied from $19/month to $94/month.  The goal was to pay the local prevailing wage, but to limit a person to 30 hours or less a week of work.  

[[Image:Wpa-done.JPG|thumb|420px|WPA summarized its achievements]]

[[Image:Wpa-done.jpg|thumb|530px|WPA summarized its achievements]]

==NYA==

==NYA==

The ''National Youth Administration'' was the WPA's youth division. Work study projects provided jobs for high school and college students.  Unlike the CCC it enrolled women. The NYA ran training programs--even alternative high schools run outside the public school system--to provide training in skills that would not compete with labor unions.  

The ''National Youth Administration'' was the WPA's youth division. Work study projects provided jobs for high school and college students.  Unlike the CCC it enrolled women. The NYA ran training programs--even alternative high schools run outside the public school system--to provide training in skills that would not compete with labor unions.  

[[Image:Nya2.jpg|thumb|390px|NYA employment]]

[[Image:Nya2.jpg|thumb|320px|NYA employment; this WPA poster was not well proofread, as the first line shows]]

[[Lyndon Johnson]] was the NYA director in Texas, Aubrey Williams was national director; Mary McLeon Bethune, Director, Division of Negro Affairs .

[[Lyndon Johnson]] was the NYA director in Texas, Aubrey Williams was national director; Mary McLeon Bethune, Director, Division of Negro Affairs .