An unemployed worker who can not get a job in California that fits their skills can learn the skills needed for a different job in a growing jobs market. Workers eligible for California Training Benefits will not be forced to sacrifice their unemployment benefits to attend school or training sessions.

The Employment Development Department (EDD) accepts certain reasons for the worker not having a job in the worker's former occupation: a plant closure, a mass layoff, technical changes, automation, competition from foreign markets, or a physical or mental disability that prevents the use of job skills.

Training must be completed within one year.

The Training Classes

The California Training Benefits (CTB) Program gives unemployed workers two kids of opportunities to work on their skills while receiving unemployment benefits. The first is a list of trusted training programs the EDD put together. The second is programs the EDD does not list but the local One Stop Career Center can tell a Californian looking for job training about, or the worker can find on their own.

Listed training programs do not require approval by the EDD. The EDD lists Workforce Investment Act programs and the Trade Adjustment Act programs, training approved by the Employment Training Panel, and training given out for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) program.

The EDD has criteria for approving a training course provided by someone other than the listed providers, such as universities, colleges, and other public schools. Approval decisions are made case by case.

• Out of work for 4 consecutive weeks or unlikely to return to the usual occupation.
• A lack of demand for the worker's skills in the local labor market.
• Demand for the occupation the worker will train to work.
• The training is full time -- not less than 20 hours or 12 semester or quarter units.
• Worker expected to successfully complete the training.
• Begin date for training at least three years from the last date the worker participated in CTB.

While enrolled in these approved programs, the unemployed Californian is not required to look for work or accept offers for work.

Workers might not qualify for training in these programs.

Extended Training Benefits

A Californian on unemployment can continue to receive benefits and pay for training after the regular unemployment period ends. A worker past their 16th week of UI benefits, or past the end of unemployment that lasts 16 or fewer weeks, can not apply for extended training benefits. The highest amount of benefits available for training is calculated by multiplying the weekly benefit amount for the worker's unemployment claim by 52 weeks and then making subtractions. Subtract the maximum benefit amount for unemployment payments, federal or state extension benefits, and any additional regular benefits from another unemployment claim.

No Full Coverage Guarantee

There is no guarantee a worker will receive enough unemployment benefits or extended benefits to cover the entire period of training.

WIA Needs Related Payments

Dislocated workers in a WIA training program might be entitled to needs-related benefits. The WIA service provider in the worker's local area decides if the worker is eligible.

Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

Workers that lost the job, or had wages and hours cut, in a position made unsuccessful by increased imports or a shift in production to a foreign country can qualify for benefits in the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program. These workers can receive allowances for job searches in a different market and relocation.

Training Not Approved by EDD

When a worker chooses to participate in training not approved by the Employment Development Department, the worker has to follow the rules preventing disqualification to continue to receive unemployment benefits.

A worker can claim good cause and avoid the disqualification rules when attendance is required by law or the employer requires attendance in school or a training program after the worker is hired and the worker must pay.

Suitable Employment. Training can change the work the EDD considers suitable for a worker. After completing a program, the worker will have to look for available employment in the occupation the training prepares the worker to do. Jobs in the this occupation in the local market are suitable work.

Refusal of Work.  Attendance in a school course or a training program is not good cause for a refusal of work. A worker has to accept an offer even if work must be done at night after training.

Availability to Work.  Workers enrolled in class or training programs are considered available to work.

Fit for Work

Californians do not have to settle for work on hand to earn money again. California is willing to take care of bills while they train for a god job.

Sources:

California Employment Development Department, California Training Benefits and Benefits Extension Claims (2005).

California Employment Development Department, Tips for Qualifying for the California Training Benefit Program (2009).

California Employment Development Department, Unemployment Insurance: A Guide To Benefits and Employment Services (2010).

California Employment Development Department, Unemployment Insurance Benefit Determination Guide (online), April 12, 2011.