Trade Adjustment
Assistance (TAA)
Training Approval
Criteria
Division of Workforce Development
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Six Approval Criteria
1) There is not suitable employment available
for an adversely affected worker
– Suitable employment for Trade refers to fulltime 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.
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2) 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.
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3) 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.a
spx)
– O*Net Resource Center
(http://www.onetcenter.org/)
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4) 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.
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– 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
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5) 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.
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6) 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”.
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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.
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– 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 or
16 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 or
26 weeks from the date of the client’s last
qualifying separation from the Trade affected
employer.
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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.
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•
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.
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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, prerequisite or skills (occupational) training.
Client may be eligible to receive up to 156 weeks
of Unemployment Insurance (UI) and TRA
weekly benefits combined.
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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.
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•
Client may be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks
of training in any combination of remedial, prerequisite or skills (occupational) training.
•
Client may be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks
of Unemployment Insurance (UI) and TRA
weekly benefits combined.
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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, prerequisite or skills (occupational) training.
Client may be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks
of Unemployment Insurance (UI) and TRA
weekly benefits combined.
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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.
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• 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.
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• The top portion, including the Trade Act version
and Trainee ID No., of the TRA-6 is completed by
the Career Center Trade Representative.
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• 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.
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• Enter the Training Facility Name and Training
Facility Address.
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• 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:
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• 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
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• 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).
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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).
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• 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.
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• 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:
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• This portion of the TRA-6 form is completed by
the Career Center Trade Representative.
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• The designated training facility representative
must sign and date the form and include their
telephone number.
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• The designated Career Center Trade rep must
also sign and date the form and enter the
appropriate Career Center location.
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• 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.
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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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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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.
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Invoice Criteria
• Trade only pays for required items that all
students 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 guns but will pay for
ammunition (for police academy training).
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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.
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Invoice Criteria
• Trade will cover the costs of shipping & handling
only in cases in which the client does not have access
to a school sponsored book store.
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• 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.
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