ATTENTION! We are currently providing benefits & services under the termination provisions of the Trade Act. No new petitions are being certified at this time. Workers certified under previous petitions are eligible to apply for training, out-of-area job search, and out-of-area relocation benefits. RTAA, TRA and HCTC are not currently available.

TAA benefits are provided according to the version of the law that was in force at the time the applicable petition was certified; there are small differences in the benefits provided by the different laws. For information on how to determine which law your petition falls under, please refer to the program's FAQ page.

Training

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program

I'm Interested in Training, Now What?

Think about your career goals and start researching the type of education you may need, such as earning additional certifications, diplomas, or other higher education degrees. You may also explore registered apprenticeship and on-the-job training options. Be prepared to talk with your TAA Career Planner about your career goals to help speed up the process to get you into a training program.

Your TAA Career Planner will help you develop your training plan. They will work with you to match your skills, interests, and experiences with the current job market to find the right training for you. Schedule a meeting with your TAA Career Planner and review the Training Approval Checklist, which outlines the process you will need to follow to get TAA training approval.

Am I Eligible for Training?

To be eligible for training you must be:

• Unable to find a job
• Qualified to begin training

Additionally, you must be enrolled in training or your TAA Career Planner must waive your enrollment requirement by your training approval deadline, which is 26 weeks (approximately six months) from either your layoff date, or the date of your company's TAA certification by the U.S. Department of Labor, whichever is later. If you did not attend an orientation, or you were not informed of your deadline date, call (888) 258-9966.

REMEMBER: Your TAA Career Planner will help you through this process, but you must take steps to meet this 26-week deadline or you will likely lose your living expense benefit payments.

Is the Training Program Eligible?

In general, an eligible training program must:

• Lead to full-time employment
• Get you job-ready
• Be offered at a reasonable cost
• Be completed within 130 weeks (approximately 2.5 years)

Your TAA Career Planner will determine if a training program meets TAA approval requirements.

What Kinds of Training are Available?

Occupational Skills Training

This is generally the most popular training option and is often offered through your local technical college. This also includes college-level degree or certificate programs, along with any prerequisite courses.

Work-Based Training

Generally, work-based training occurs in the workplace and involves a commitment by an employer or employers to employ successful participants after they have completed the program. On-the-job training (OJT) and registered apprenticeships are two types of work-based training.

OJT is an individualized training program conducted at the actual work site, for a set period of time, where you will receive training required for a specific job. The employer is reimbursed a percentage of their costs to train you.

Registered apprenticeship programs combine OJT with classroom courses. These programs tend to be longer in duration, so keep in mind that TAA training must be completed within 130 weeks (approximately 2.5 years).

Remedial Education

If you have not earned your high school diploma, or a training program requires a certain level of math skills, you may build your skills using remedial education as part of a larger training program. You can take Adult Basic Education courses in areas of math, English or reading, as well as earn your High School Equivalency Diploma or General Education Diploma (HSED or GED), or take English Language Learner (ELL) classes.

For more information, see your Benefit Rights & Obligations or your Participant Handbook.