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Job Training and Education Assistance (JTEA) Program

Training Assistance for the Unemployed Worker Overview and Orientation Outline

This presentation covers the following:

What is the Job Training and Education Assistance program through Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance (TBWA)?

Who is eligible and suitable for the program?

What Services are available?

What are the steps needed to fully complete your application?

What are your obligations & documentation requirements?

What are YOUR NEXT STEPS?

What Is the Job Training and Education Assistance Program ?

The Job Training and Education Assistance (JTEA) Program was created by Tampa Bay

WorkForce Alliance to assist individuals who have lost their job or their business and need

training to change their career or upgrade their skills.

What Is the Job Training and Education Assistance Program ?

JTEA can provide you financial aid, if you meet the federal guidelines, to attend selected occupational training at approved training schools or can help you to find an employer that will hire you and train you on the job.

What Is the Job Training and Education Assistance Program ?

JTEA can help you, if you meet the federal guidelines, by• providing you financial aid of up to

$3500/program year to pay for tuition and required books and training materials if you want to go back to school; or

• paying an employer up to 50% of your wages during your on the job training.

Who is eligible for JTEA?

Dislocated Worker who:

has been terminated or laid off from your job OR• has received a notice of termination or layoff,

AND

1.unlikely to return to your previous industry or current occupation, and2.eligible for, receiving or has exhausted your unemployment compensation

Dislocated Worker who:

• has been terminated or laid off or received notice of termination or layoff, from employment as a result of permanent closure, or substantial layoff at a plant, facility or enterprise

OR

• works at an employer who has made a general announcement that facility will close within 180 days.

Documentation will be required to support the above to comply with Workforce Investment Act (WIA) requirements for a Dislocated Worker.

Who is eligible for JTEA?

Displaced Homemaker who:

Has been providing unpaid services to family members in the home;

Has been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income, and

Is currently unemployed or underemployed and is currently having difficulty obtaining employment.

Self Employed or Contract worker who is now unemployed due to:

General economic conditions in the community or a natural disaster

Documentation will be required to support the above to comply with Workforce Investment Act (WIA) requirements for a Dislocated Worker.

Who is eligible for JTEA?

You must also meet and document the following general eligibility requirements below:

You are 18 years or older.

You have a valid social security number.

You are a Hillsborough County Resident.

You meet U.S. Citizen requirements or hold a Permanent Resident Card in the U.S.

If you are a male whose date of birth falls after December 31st, 1959, that you have met Selective Service Registration requirements.

All eligibility criteria will require supporting documentation as outlined in Federal Guidelines. Funding can only be provided to individuals who meet the eligibility guidelines.

Suitability for Services

JTEA is not an entitlement program. In addition to eligibility, suitability for services and need for each level of service will be reviewed.

Items used in determining suitability for the JTEA program include thefollowing. You may not be suitable if you:

Received training previously under WIA, WTP, TAA or other programs

Presently hold a skill or credentials/degrees in a targeted occupation

Literacy Levels are not at the levels required by the training provider

Do not have the financial resources to support yourself while attending training

Do not have a stable living environment

Training Services

Training Services are based upon Eligibility and Suitability.

Are you eligible and suitable?

Determined in need of training to obtain employment.

Financial assistance for training will be provided through Individual Training Accounts (ITAs).

ITAs cannot exceed$3500 per program year (7/1 to 6/30) and are to be used at an approved training provider/school.

Training Services

ITAs include cost of tuition and required books, tools and supplies.

We cannot pay for tuition that has already been paid to the school

Training programs under the JTEA Program can not exceed two years in length.

Some schools and/or training programs may have pre-requisites or general education (Gen Ed Requirements) which are not covered under the ITA

Support Services

Support Services are based on customer need and may be available to assist you with participation in your training program. Examples are:

Assistance with the cost of transportation

Training-related expenses

Employment-related expenses

ALL Support Services are based on need, benchmarks achieved and subject to availability of funds.

What Is The Process To Apply for Job Training and Education

Assistance Services?

How do I apply for training under the Job Training and Education Assistance Program?

Step 1: Review and complete the following requirements:o Complete a self-assessment of yourself to see if you feel that

you meet program eligibility requirements

o Select an Occupation from the provided Targeted Occupations List* that you feel matches your interests and skills

o Select an Occupation Training program from the list of Approved Training Providers

*Hillsborough Targeted Occupations List identifies high demand or projected growth occupations

How do I apply for training under the Job Training and Education Assistance Program?

Step 2: Contact us at JTEA@workforcetampa.com or 813.397.2075 to schedule a meeting with a Career Counselor:

• After you have completed orientation and the required forms (located on the main page), you will need to schedule an appointment for a group enrollment meeting.

• To schedule email us at JTEA@workforcetampa.com or call 813.397.2075

• Bring in all required documents to your meeting using the check list on the next slide.

Please do not date your application packet until it is fully completed and has been reviewed by a Career Counselor

Supporting Documentation Requirements for Application and Eligibility

Proof of your Hillsborough County residency

Verification of your age

Verification of citizenship or Permanent Alien Resident Card

Copy of an originally signed Social Security card

Verification of Selective Service Registration if applicable

Verification of eligibility criteria such as layoff and UC

Copy of My Next Move results –career interest assessment

History of job search efforts to show unlikely to return to current occupation or employ with current skills

Selected Occupation Training provider/school and Occupation Training program information

Copy of PELL application/award/results, if applicable

Verification of passing school entrance or copy of TABE results if applicable

Proof of Veteran’s status for yourself or spouse if applicable.

Proof of previous self-employment if applicable.

Proof of displaced homemaker status if applicable.

How do I apply for training under the Job Training and Education Assistance Program?

Step 3: After your group enrollment meeting you will meet with a JTEA Career Counselor where:

• Your application packet will be reviewed with TBWA staff and if items are missing or still needed, you will be given a due date to submit.

How do I apply for training under the Job Training and Education Assistance Program?

Step 4: Go to your selected school and complete application.

o You will need to provide proof of application and acceptance at school.

o Obtain a breakdown of costs of the training program of your interest.

Step 5: If your school indicates that selected training program is eligible for PELL, then complete online PELL application.

o You will need to provide proof of PELL award/denial.

Step 6: Complete any required assessments and obtain verification or assessment results to provide to a Career Counselor.

How do I apply for training under the Job Training and Education Assistance Program?

Step 7: Submit all items needed to complete your JTEA application packet by due date or at your Follow-Up appointment with a TBWA Career Counselor.

o Submit all remaining items for your application packet such as: Any missing eligibility documentation, Your school enrollment paperwork, Assessment results, Verification of PELL application, if applicable

Step 8: After the Career Counselor determines application is completed, it will be forwarded for review by a supervisor.

Please allow sufficient time for our review and approval process which should be within 5 business days.

Required Assessments

• If the selected school or training program has an entrance exam, then please provide proof that you completed the entrance exam and the results you achieved.

• If the selected school or training program does not have an entrance exam, you may be required to complete a TABE test (Test for Adult Basic Education). Your TBWA Career Counselor will discuss this with you.

• The school or training program may also require a physical exam, background and/or drug screening.

• To better determine where you will be successful in your career, it is necessary that you complete an interest assessment. Go to the link http://www.mynextmove.org to take the assessment and print your assessment results.

Obligations while in training

Contact your TBWA Specialist at least once a month to report your status/progress, sick leaves, etc. This may be done through email.

Submit a copy of your class enrollment each term or semester.

Submit a copy of your grades each semester, without exception

Submit a copy of your Financial Aid Award letters (PELL, etc.) each time you receive an award statement.

Maintain an overall “C” grade average or a passing grade if a pass/ fail system.

Obligations after training

If you fail a course you may be obligated to assume the cost of re-taking the course to complete your training program.

Provide copies of credentials (i.e. diploma, certificate, licensure) after training completion.

Once you complete training and go to work:

Continue to stay in touch: periodic contacts are required after TBWA closes your training case for a period of 12 months by the Federal guidelines for all funds used under this program

Verify employment information and follow-up information on your job status quarterly for 12 months after your case is closed.

Keep In Mind

Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance cannot and will not reimburse expenses incurred prior to your eligibility and enrollment date in the JTEA program.

Therefore, we strongly encourage you to seek other funding if you find it necessary to enroll in a training program prior to receiving a final JTEA enrollment approval.

Once you enter the JTEA Program, you can not switch schools. WIA Funding is only approved for the school in which you are attending upon entering this program.

What To Know Before Enrolling Into Training

• If you are able to attend classes on the days and times required

• How long the training will last – from start to finish• Total cost of training – tuition, books, supplies

o Financial Aid – Pell Grant www.fafsa.ed.govo Other possible scholarships – www.scholarships.com, www.fastaid.com ,

and www.fastweb.com

• Does the training facility offer job placement assistance – what is their success rate in your specific field?

• Are there any obstacles that would keep you from being employed in this field – medical, criminal or family obligations?

Questions to Ask Prior To Selecting a Career

• What wages can you realistically expect in this profession? (entry level, with some experience, and after a few years working in the profession)

• What are the growth expectations for your chosen career field? Utilize Labor Market Information which can be found at

www.employflorida.com/labormarket.asp

• Are additional certifications required for employment in this field?

• What is the availability of jobs in the area you wish to work in? Check Employ Florida at www.employflorida.com and see

how many jobs are currently posted in the field.

Visit The Training Facilities

Before you go through this application process…

• Physically visit the training facilities of your choice.

• Speak with current students

• Speak with instructors

• Ask to sit in a class It’s important to review your school of choice prior to enrolling.

Visit The Training Facilities

• Ask questions that may be important to you:o Are they accredited? If so, by whom?o Do they accept the Pell Grant? (this is additional free

funding)o What is the cost of your program as compared to other

schools?

• When you are sure that this is the right training facility for you:o Consult with your JTEA Career Counseloro Apply for admission.o Take any admissions tests/assessments required.

Remember: JTEA does not pay for school entrance tests, background checks, fees or assessments

Good Luck

We here at TBWA and the JTEA program look forward to working with you as you take those next important steps to a brighter future!

If you have any questions do not hesitate to email us at JTEA@workforcetampa.com or call us at 813.397.2075. We will get back with you quickly. Click to go back to main

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