Worker Retraining

You may be eligible for the Worker Retraining program if:

• You are interested in an approved degree or certificate program. 
• You are in one of the following categories:
  • receiving or eligible for unemployment benefits or have received a warn/layoff notice
  • exhausted unemployment benefits within the past 48 months and not returned to work
  • unemployed or under-employed veteran discharged within the past 48 months
  • active duty military with separation orders
  • displaced homemaker: unemployed or under-employed and formerly dependent on a family member’s income, but no longer supported by that income due to divorce, death, or permanent disability of the main wage-earner within the past 48 months
  • formerly self-employed but now unemployed due to economic changes in your community

In addition to meeting Workforce Education Student Expectations [PDF], Worker Retraining students must also understand the following expectations:

Priority Registration and Tuition Deferments

Even if your classes are funded by a source other than Worker Retraining (e.g. Pell grant, WIOA), you still need to follow program expectations to continue receiving priority registration and tuition deferments.

Financial Aid Revisions

The FAFSA does not always accurately reflect your ability to pay for school. If you have had a recent change in income, you may submit a Special Circumstances (Revision Request) form to the Financial Aid office after completing the FAFSA.

Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) & Training Benefits (TB)

If you receive unemployment benefits, you must obtain permission from Employment Security to attend classes. This is done through the CAT/TB application. See the next section on this page, Information for Student Receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits, for more details about this process.

Course Load

Worker Retraining students are generally required to be full time (at least 12 credits each quarter), with some exceptions. You can discuss these exceptions with your advisor.

Progress Reports

Workforce Education may request progress and participation reports from your instructors. Your advisor may contact you if there are any concerns.

Employment Security (ESD) sends progress reports to students receiving unemployment benefits who are approved for CAT/TB. You will receive a progress report approximately every 6 weeks and must have it signed by an instructor and returned to ESD by the due date. During the break between quarters, your Worker Retraining advisor can sign ESD progress reports.

Report Changes in Eligibility

Worker Retraining eligibility depends on qualifying as a “dislocated worker.” You must notify your Workforce Education advisor about changes in your employment status, such as accepting a new job. You may still qualify for Worker Retraining if you accept a job that is temporary or part-time, however your advisor must review your eligibility.

Attending School May Affect UI Benefits

When you’re receiving unemployment insurance benefits (UI), Employment Security (ESD) is paying you to look for work and be available to accept work. ESD considers school a conflict with availability, so you must request approval for your program and show why you need to upgrade your skills or change occupations. This is done through the CAT/TB application (see definition below). WorkSource may offer CAT/TB workshops to help you understand the application process.

Possible Permissions from ESD:

• Student Eligibility – does not change your requirements but allows you to go school as long as you continue your required job-search-related activities and do not turn down employment. Online application (in ESD eServices) is completed after you report starting training on your weekly UI claim.
• Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) – waives ESD’s job search and work availability requirement while you attend a full-time professional/technical program (job skill related).
• Training Benefits (TB) – waives the job search/availability requirement and gives an extension of unemployment payments while in your approved training program (max of 26 additional weeks). TB does not pay for school costs/tuition. Application deadlines may apply.

What ESD applications are required?

• Approval for Student Eligibility is mandatory if you are receiving UI benefits and attending school, even if attendance is part-time and the courses are online or in the evenings.
• CAT and TB applications are optional, but unless ESD waives the requirement you’ll need to continue to be available for work. If you turn down employment without having CAT or TB approval, ESD could require repayment of UI benefits paid during your training.

How do I apply to CAT/TB?

• Please visit the ESD Training Benefits webpage for more information.
• A Worker Retraining advisor can review your completed CAT/TB application before you submit it to ESD.

What is an ESD Progress Report?

If approved for CAT/TB, Employment Security will ask for progress reports approximately every six weeks to see how you are doing in school.

What do I do with my ESD Progress Reports?

During the quarter, ask one of your instructors to sign it, verifying attendance and satisfactory progress. Make a copy for your files, and fax and/or mail it to the address specified on the progress report before the deadline. If in-between quarters and an instructor is not available, contact the Workforce Education office; staff can check your grades and sign the form. You will then copy, and fax or mail as above.

Does CAT/TB pay my tuition?

No. CAT is only approval to go to school and to suspend your job search. TB is only an extension of UI benefits. Tuition is paid through other sources such as Worker Retraining, financial aid grants, WIOA, scholarships, etc., depending on eligibility.

Are Worker Retraining and the Dislocated Worker Program the same?

No. The Worker Retraining Program is a state funded program and the Dislocated Worker Program is a federal program. The eligibility criteria and application process are different.

What programs does Worker Retraining fund?

State-funded, credit programs or classes that lead towards improved employment opportunities. Visit our Approved Programs page to see a list.

Is there a deadline to apply for Worker Retraining?

It depends; some Worker Retraining eligibility criteria has associated time limits. Also, college classes can fill up quickly, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible before the quarter you want to attend.

Do I have to apply for financial aid?

Yes, all Worker Retraining students must apply for financial aid, even if you have a prior degree or other reason to think you won’t qualify.