Because of the COVID pandemic and the resulting shutdowns, millions find themselves without jobs. A number of industries have been hit particularly hard—for example, the retail sector lost close to 3 million jobs and the restaurant industry lost more than 6 million jobs.

Job hunting is difficult to begin with, and was made even harder during the pandemic. Some of those who have been laid off may be considering trade school, rather than look for jobs in their original industries. But making a move into an entirely new industry takes training, which can be very challenging for those new to a trade.  

Fortunately, the state of California has long recognized that to keep unemployment rates down, it is vital that the public can secure the means to enroll in the education and training programs required for a new career. Workers who have filed for unemployment have access to California Training Benefits (CTB). While these benefits don’t help pay for training courses, they do give those in a trade school more time to focus on their studies by eliminating certain requirements for receiving unemployment. And in some instances, CTB does provide for additional unemployment payments.

How does a worker qualify for California Training Benefits, and what do they do?

In California, individuals who file for unemployment can request CTB by indicating their intent to participate in an eligible training program. 

CTB does not cover tuition or other education costs. However, CTB does waive certain unemployment requirements. If you quality for CTB and attend a trade school, you do not have to be:

• Actively seeking employment
• Available to work
• Able to accept “suitable” work

Those qualifying for CTB will not have to meet the above requirements to receive weekly EDD payments. Instead, you are allowed to collect unemployment benefits while going through training, such as the electrical training courses offered by I-TAP.

Additionally, CTB recipients can file for a training extension (TE) on their unemployment claims. This must be done by the 16th week of UI benefits, or prior to the end of benefits, whichever comes first. The extension allows CTB recipients to extend the period for which they receive UI payments. However, eligibility for and the duration of TE depends upon your individual circumstances. There is no guarantee that you will be able to receive UI for the duration of your training.

I-TAP offers a great opportunity for you to take advantage of CTB, while also helping you find other sources of tuition assistance.

You may still be wondering how you can afford to cover the cost of tuition at I-TAP by relying strictly on unemployment. Our financial aid advisors are skilled at helping our future professionals find additional sources of financial assistance, such as Title IV loans and grants—including the Pell Grant— the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and even state funding for ex-offenders.

I-TAP’s electrician training courses include an intensive 26-week program, which offers an excellent opportunity to gain in-demand skills and knowledge about our trade. However, it is also a serious time commitment which can make it challenging to search for work, and subsequently maintain full or part-time employment. CTB offers the means to reduce this burden on aspiring electricians, allowing them to focus solely on their chosen training program.

The pandemic has majorly disrupted the economy, and millions have lost their jobs. If you lost your job, or you are someone currently receiving unemployment but are ready to start a career as an electrician, I-TAP can help! Start your journey today by giving us a call or sending us a message using our contact form.