All TAA participants are
covered under what is called a TAA certification. This
certification confirms that the employment of a group of workers
was impacted or threatened due to trade-related circumstances.
Grants are provided to the states to provide services, which
participants access through the American Job Center Network.
States also notify individuals of their eligibility.
Work-based training activities involve building worker skills
and establishing pathways to higher wages and career
opportunities. Work-based training strategies emphasize business
engagement, incorporate training objectives while job-seeking
participants are working, and lead to unsubsidized employment. A
key advantage of work-based training is that job seekers and
participants can “earn while they learn” and achieve improved
employment and earnings outcomes. Types of work-based training
eligible for TAA funding include registered apprenticeship and
On-The-Job Training programs.
TAA On-The-Job Training (OJT)
Also, see our informational flyer:
Worked Based Training Informational Flyer (PDF)
TAA impacted workers are eligible to
receive one training plan under a single Trade Act certification
if the required six criteria of approval are met. OJT is one of
several training options available to impacted workers. It can
be combined with other types of training (such as remedial and
skill) to comprise the overall program, but these components
should be identified before training begins and considered
necessary to achieve the skills required to become proficient in
the job for which the worker is being trained in. For example,
if the worker is being trained to track inventory for their
company, but must understand working with Access Database
software, TAA could pay for that class while also being trained
on the job.
While OJT can consist of
multiple components, the overall training plan is considered to
be the worker’s one training under their specific Trade
certification. In addition, because the worker is employed
during the OJT, Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) income
support payments are not available.
TAA-OJT is
not an incumbent worker
program; it is available to individuals who otherwise lack
marketable skills and require training in order to return to
suitable employment. Since TAA training may not be approved
retroactively, a worker interested in OJT
needs to apply for the training with CTDOL before
beginning employment. Additionally, TAA does not permit
OJT in the worker’s previous, trade-impacted occupation, with
respect to the article produced or service provided by the
worker’s previous, trade-impacted employer. The worker must be
learning new skills.
OJT
APPROVAL: In addition to the six criteria of TAA training
approval, other key components in the ability to approve an OJT
training plan include:
