Laid off or furloughed? Need money for books, supplies, or tuition? Worker Retraining (WRT) provides funding for training that leads to in-demand family-wage jobs. This funding does not need to be repaid.
For expenses to be paid through Worker Retraining funding, applicants must be enrolled in one of Peninsula College's Professional Technical Programs, Bachelor's Degrees (BAS) Programs, or our high school completion program.
- Applying for Worker Retraining Funding
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To access Worker Retraining funding, applicants must first be an admitted Peninsula College student and enrolled in a Professional Technical Program, a Bachelor's Degrees (BAS) Program, or our high school completion program.
Step 1: Apply to Peninsula College & Start Your Financial Aid Application
Apply to Peninsula CollegeLearn More About Applying for Financial Aid
Step 2: Enroll in an Approved Program
Once applicants have received their admittance to Peninsula College, they will need enroll in one of Peninsula College's Professional Technical Programs, Bachelor's Degrees (BAS) Programs, or our high school completion program.
Professional Technical ProgramsBachelor's Degrees (BAS) ProgramsHigh School Completion Program
Step 3: Apply for Worker Retraining Funding
- Worker Retraining & Unemployment Benefits
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If you receive unemployment benefits, you must obtain permission from Employment Security to attend classes at Peninsula College. This is done through the CAT/TB application process. If you are facing layoff and have not opened your unemployment claim, please contact WRT before you register for classes at Peninsula for important information.
Information for Student Receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
Participants may be eligible for Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) and/or Training Benefits (TB) by submitting paperwork to the Employment Security Department. Eligibility for both will be determined by the Employment Security Department. For further assistance and information, please contact WRT.
Care must be taken by individuals who want to attend school while collecting unemployment benefits to maintain their eligibility for benefits. There are two programs administered by Employment Security that such individuals should investigate:
- Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) A job search waiver that allows you to collect your regular unemployment benefits while attending an approved, full-time training program.
- Training Benefits (TB) Training Benefits A extension program offers additional weeks of unemployment benefits so eligible claimants can train for careers in high-demand fields.
To view/print information about your unemployment insurance claim, please login to the Employment Security Services website.
- Access WorkForce Student Support Services for Worker Retraining
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Schedule a virtual or phone appointment with Worker Retraining. You pick the day and time and how we meet (in-person, phone call, or Zoom). Please note, an in-person appointment is recommended if you have an active unemployment claim. Additionally, you will have access to a computer lab, printer, and fax machine to send documentation to the Employment Security Training Benefits Unit.
Appointments with the Worker Retraining can also provide assistance with:
- Do you have an Active Unemployment claim?
- Claim in adjudication?
- Overpayment issue?
- TB or CAT form?
- Progress Report?
What Services Can Worker Retraining Provide?
- Funding for Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies
- Career Counseling
- Assistance applying for other funding resources
- Referrals to community and wraparound services
- Job search assistance
Who Can Receive Help From Worker Retraining Funding?
- You have been laid off or furloughed.
- Currently receiving or eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
- Unemployed and exhausted unemployment benefits within the past 48 months.
- Displaced homemaker, a person who is unemployed or underemployed who has recently lost his or her primary source of income due to a separation, divorce, death, or permanent disability of the main wage earner within the past 48 months.
- Self-employed, now unemployed within the past 48 months.
- Discharged veterans within the past 48 months.
- Active-duty military with a notice of separation.
- Temporary workers who were dislocated from a previous job.
- Vulnerable Workers (at risk of becoming unemployed) who meet two of the three criteria below:
- Your Job is not in demand. (Review the local area Demand/Decline Occupations list for verification.)
- You do not have 45 college credits.
- You must upgrade your skills to remain employed in your current job.
Additional Information
For more information on careers and training opportunities, please visit the Washington Career Bridge website.
Contact Information
Questions? Need more information? Please contact Peninsula College's WorkForce Programs:
Colleen Vekich
(360) 417-6357
[email protected]