Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

1. Trade AdjustmentAssistance (TAA) Training Approval Criteria Division of Workforce Development

2. Six Approval Criteria • There is not suitable employment available for an adversely affected worker • Suitable employment for Trade refers to full-time employment of at least 80% of the client’s wages at the Trade affected employment, with a skill level at or above that of the Trade affected employment, and must be long term duration.

3. The worker would benefit from appropriate training. • The client has physical and mental capabilities to undertake training, make satisfactory progress, and complete the training. • The client would obtain necessary skills from training to be job ready on completion.

4. There is reasonable expectation of employment following completion of such training. • Based on Labor Market Information (LMI) , the client will be able to obtain “suitable employment” in a training related field. • Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) (http://www.ded.mo.gov/Economic/EconomicResearch.aspx) • O*Net Resource Center (http://www.onetcenter.org/)

5. Training approved by the Secretary is reasonably available to the worker from either governmental or private sources. • Available training is suitable for the client. • Training within a client’s commuting area is given priority. For Trade, “commuting area” is defined as the area in which an individual would be expected to travel to and from training on a daily basis. In Missouri, it is considered: • 50 miles or less one-way for clients who started participating in Trade Act prior to 10/1/13 (unless hardship); or • 25 miles or less one-way for clients who started participating in Trade Act on or after 10/1/13.

6. Verify that the training facility/program is approved on the Missouri Education and Career Hotlink (MECH) or seek approval from the DWD Trade Act Unit. • MECH website:https://jobs.mo.gov/mcs/mech/MECHSearch/InstitutionSearch.aspx

7. The worker is qualified to undertake and complete such training. • The clients’ previous experience, current skills, assessments, etc., are used to determine if the client is mentally and physically capable to complete training program. • In addition, if the client does not qualify for Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) weekly benefits, the client must provide a financial statement about how (s)he will support themselves without TRA.

8. Such training is suitable for the worker and available at a reasonable cost. • Career Center Trade representatives must compare similar or like training and determine which training program, that will lead to “suitable employment”, is available at the most reasonable costs. • When practical, Trade prefers public over private training facilities. • Costs for training may also include transportation and subsistence if outside the clients’ “commuting area”.

9. Other Training Criteria • Clients must file a TRA claim with the Division of Employment Security (DES) and be determined eligible. • Clients whose Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim is with a State other than Missouri will not have a TRA claim with MO DES. • To maintain eligibility for TRA weekly benefits, client must be enrolled or participating in Trade approved training or be issued a waiver to “waive” the training requirements by either an 8/16 week or a 26/26 criteria.

10. Under Trade 2002, Trade 2002 Revert (in 2011),and Trade Reversion 2014, clients must meet the 8/16 week rule. • 8 weeks from the Trade Act certification date or16 weeks from the date of the client’s last qualifying separation from the Trade affected employer. • Under Trade 2009 and 2011, clients must meet the 26/26 week rule. • 26 weeks from the Trade Act certification date or26 weeks from the date of the client’s last qualifying separation from the Trade affected employer.

11. Trade Act 2002/2002 Revert (in 2011) Criteria • Trade 2002 rules apply to clients certified under petitions numbered 60,000-69,999. • Trade 2002 Revert (in 2011) rules apply to approximately five clients certified under petitions number 80,000-80,999. • Trade 2011 allowed approximately nine clients certified under petitions numbered 80,000-80,999 to choose between Trade 2002 and 2011 rules. Approximately five of the nine clients chose Trade 2002 rules.

12. Training must be full-time. • Client may be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks of training, but only 104 weeks may be used towards pre-requisite or skills (occupational) training. The remaining 26 weeks is for remedial training only (if required). • Client may be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks of Unemployment Insurance (UI) and TRA weekly benefits combined.

13. Trade Act 2009 Criteria • Trade 2009 rules apply to clients certified under petitions numbered 70,000-79,999. • Training can be full-time or part-time. • To qualify for TRA weekly benefits, the client must be attending full-time training. • Client may be eligible to receive up to 156 weeks of training in any combination of remedial, pre-requisite or skills (occupational) training. • Client may be eligible to receive up to 156 weeks of Unemployment Insurance (UI) and TRA weekly benefits combined.

14. Trade Act 2011 Criteria • Trade 2011 rules apply to most clients certified under petitions numbered 80,000 – 84,999. • Trade 2011 allowed approximately nine clients certified under petitions numbered 80,000-80,999 to choose between Trade 2002 and 2011 rules. Approximately five of the nine clients chose Trade 2002 rules (Trade 2002 Revert). All other clients certified under petitions numbered 80,000 – 84,999 must follow Trade 2011 rules. • Training can be full-time or part-time. • To qualify for TRA weekly benefits, the client must be attending full-time training.

15. Client may be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks of training in any combination of remedial, pre-requisite or skills (occupational) training. • Client may be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks of Unemployment Insurance (UI) and TRA weekly benefits combined.

16. Trade Act Reversion 2014 Criteria • Trade Reversion 2014 rules apply to clients certified under petitions numbered 85,000 or above. • Training must be full-time. • Client may be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks of training in any combination of remedial, pre-requisite or skills (occupational) training. • Client may be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks of Unemployment Insurance (UI) and TRA weekly benefits combined.

17. TRA-6 Form • The Trade Act Individual Certification and Training Agreement form is referred to as the TRA-6. • The TRA-6 (Page 1) is completed by the school and includes the overall costs and length of training. • Page 2 only applies to Trade 2011 and Trade Reversion 2014 clients and requires the training facility official to review the benchmark requirements and initial/date the form before the training can be approved.

18. Once the TRA-6 is signed by the training official’s representative and Career Center’s representative, it is considered an agreement: • For the training facility to provide training to the client; and • For DWD to pay for the training with Trade Act funds, along with other funding sources noted. • TRA-6 forms must be amended anytime there is a change in the program including costs, length, breaks, etc.

19. The top portion, including the Trade Act version and Trainee ID No., of the TRA-6 is completed by the Career Center Trade Representative.

20. If not already completed by the Trade Rep, please enter the client’s Name, Social Security Number, and Address. The Trade Rep is responsible for completing the Incumbent Worker and Petition Number fields.

21. Enter the Training Facility Name and Training Facility Address.

22. Enter the Title of Training Course and mark the Associate Degree field (if applicable). • Please be sure to identify MoHealthWINs, MoManufacturingWINs, or other TAACCCT training programs for Career Center Trade Rep tracking. • Example:

23. Enter the Beginning and Ending Dates of training. • The maximum length of training varies under each version of Trade: • Trade 2002 & 2002 Revert (in 2011) = 130 weeks • Only 104 weeks may be used for pre-requisite and skills (occupational) trainings • Trade 2009 = 156 weeks • Trade 2011 = 130 weeks • Trade Reversion 2014 = 130 weeks

24. Enter the Total Weeks in Enrollment Period. • Non-payable breaks do not count towards the maximum length of training. Trade reps are responsible for deducting any non-payable breaks from the number of weeks provided. • Non-payable breaks in training are breaks that are 30 day or longer in length (generally you do not count weekends or holidays).

25. Enter the Daily Class Schedule. • This refers to the time of the client’s classes. If the classes differ per day, you may enter an estimate and attach the client’s estimated schedule. • This is used by the Trade Reps and the Division of Employment Security (DES) to determine UI or TRA eligibility.

26. Mark either the Part-time or Full-time Student field. • Trade 2002, Trade 2002 Revert (in 2011), and Trade Reversion 2014, requires full-time attendance. • Clients attending training under Trade 2009 or Trade 2011 may attend part-time but will not be eligible for TRA weekly benefits. • If the client plans to participate in any course online (vs. classroom setting), please mark the Online field.

27. Enter the Number of Hours Per Week. • This refers to the amount of clock hours the client is scheduled to attend class each week. This is used by Trade Reps and DES to determine attendance and eligibility to UI or TRA. • If the classes differ per week or semester, you may enter an estimate and attach the client’s estimated schedule.

28. Enter the Total Instruction/Credit Hours. • This refers to the amount of credit or instructional hours the client will receive if they complete the training program.

29. Enter the Vacation Schedule. • This refers to breaks in between semester including spring and/or summer breaks. • This information is used to determine if breaks are payable or non-payable. • The training facility may enter “See attached” in this field and attach a copy of the school’s vacation and holiday calendar.

30. Enter the Holiday Schedule. • This refers to days of non-attendance due to a holiday including Christmas, 4th of July, etc. • This information is used to determine if breaks are payable or non-payable. • The training facility may enter “See attached” in this field and attach a copy of the school’s vacation and holiday calendar.

31. Enter the Description of and Type of Training. • This refers to similar information that can be found within the school’s course catalog. • The training facility may enter “See attached” in this field and attach a copy of the school’s course catalog.

32. Mark all appropriate Remediation, Prerequisite, and Skills (Occupational) Training fields. • There are different types of TRA. • Under Trade 2002 and Trade 2002 Revert (in 2011), a client may qualify for Remedial TRA if they attend remedial training. • Under Trade 2009, a client may qualify for Remedial TRA if they attend remedial and/or pre-requisite training. • These fields are used to determine eligibility for TRA and are also data items that are captured on the Trade Act Participation Report (TAPR).

33. Enter all associated costs for the training program in the Cost of Proposed Training including Tuition & Fees, Books & Expendable Supplies, and Other (tools, equipment, uniforms, etc.). • If you complete an electronic version of the form, the Total field will auto-calculate. Otherwise, please enter the Total cost of training.

34. Items included in the Other funding field can be included in this field.This field should also be used to identify MoHealthWINs (MHW), MoManufacturingWINs (MMW), or other TAACCCT training programs for Career Center Trade Rep tracking. MHW / MMW / TAACCCT costs can also be listed in this field. • Example:

35. This portion of the TRA-6 form is completed by the Career Center Trade Representative.

36. The designated training facility representative must sign and date the form and include their telephone number.

37. The designated Career Center Trade rep must also sign and date the form and enter the appropriate Career Center location.

38. Lastly, as indicated on the bottom of the TRA-6 form, the training facility is required to provide a billing plan. This should include a breakdown of all training costs and anticipated invoice schedule. • The billing plan can get documented on the back of the TRA-6 form or the school can attach any relevant documentation.

39. Completing the TRA-6 (Page 2) • Effective December 17, 2012, a second page was added to the TRA-6 form. It only applies to clients who request Trade Act approved training under Trade 2011 and Trade Reversion 2014 or petitions number 80,000 and above. • Under Trade 2011 and Trade Reversion 2014, for a client to be eligible for Completion TRA, they must participate in 60-day benchmark reviews once they begin Trade Act approved training.

40. At the time a TRA-6 is completed by a training facility (for clients under Trade 2011 and Trade Reversion 2014), they will also be supplied with the second page of the TRA-6. It provides background information on Completion TRA and the benchmark requirements. • In order for Trade Act training to be approved, the training facility must agree to the terms included on the second page of the TRA-6.

42. If the training facility official agrees to provide verification of the benchmarks every 60-days for each Trade Act client participating in training under Trade 2011 and Trade Reversion 2014, they must Initial and Date the second page of the TRA-6. • The Training Facility Official must also print his/her name and enter the Name of the Training Facility.

43. Invoice Criteria • Training facilities must send Trade training-related invoices to the Trade rep at the designated Career Center. • Invoices must be addressed to DWD. • Invoices or an accompanying letter requesting payment must be printed on the school’s letterhead. • DWD is tax exempt.

44. Invoice Criteria • Trade only pays for required items that allstudents attending the training program must purchase. • Trade does not cover book bags. • Trade does not cover computers, laptops, or iPads (or related equipment such as printers unless required) • Trade does not cover gunsbut will pay for ammunition (for policeacademy training).

45. Invoice Criteria • Trade will cover the costs of basic supplies including pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, books, etc. • Unless the client is attending computer-related training that requires a specific computer software, Trade will not pay for software. • Trade will cover the costs of one (1) average priced USB drive.

46. Invoice Criteria • Trade will cover the costs of shipping & handling only in cases in which the client does not have access to a schoolsponsored book store.

47. Missouri Division of Workforce Development is an equal opportunity employer/program. • Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. • Missouri TTY Users can call (800) 735-2966 or dial 7-1-1.