1

Missouri Community Colleges &

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA):

A Partnership for Success

Alisa Nance, Workforce Development Specialist

2

The Purpose of Trade ActTo help Trade affected workers find “suitable employment”.

Suitable Employment:

Equal or higher skills level than at Trade affected employer;

Wage at 80% of wage received at Trade affected employer; and

Full-time, long-term duration.

3

Six Training Approval Criteria1) There is no suitable

employment available for an adversely affected worker

2) Worker would benefit from appropriate training.(Client would obtain skills to be job ready upon training completion.)

4

Six Training Approval Criteria3) There is reasonable expectation of employment

following training completion.

Based on Labor Market Information (LMI) , client will be able to obtain“suitable employment” in training related field.

Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC)http://apps.oseda.missouri.edu/MOWorkKeys/Default.aspx

O*Net Resource Center (http://www.onetcenter.org)

5

Six Training Approval Criteria4) Training is reasonably available

to the worker from either governmental or private sources.

Available training is suitable

Within a client’s commuting area is priority. “Commuting area” = expected travel to and from training on a daily basis. In MO, it is considered 50 miles or less one-way.

6

Six Training Approval Criteria

Verify training facility / program is approved on the Missouri Education and Career Hotlink (MECH) ORseek approval from the DWD Trade Act Coordinator.

https://jobs.mo.gov/mcs/mech

7

Six Approval Criteria5) The worker is qualified to undertake and complete training.Previous experience, current skills, assessments, etc., used to determine client is mentally and physically capable to complete training program. TABE & WorkKeys may be used.

Client may be required to provide a financial support statement.

8

Skills Assessment

Information from schools about program expectations from homework / projects, technology use, etc. is greatly appreciated to better prepare client before training program begins.

9

Six Approval Criteria6) Such training is suitable for the worker and

available at a reasonable cost.

Career Center Trade staff must compare similar or like training and determine which training program, that will lead to

“suitable employment”, is available at the most reasonable cost.

First priority must be given to public training facilities rather than proprietary schools.

10

Trade Act Individual Certification & Training Agreement (AKA “TRA-6” Form)

Completed by the school. Includes overall costs and length of training. May be asked to complete more than one for comparison.

11

“TRA-6” Form Once 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 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.

12

“TRA-6” Form

Trade Act version & Trainee ID completed by Career Center Trade staff.

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

E-Mailed TRA-6 WILL NOT CONTAIN SSN.

13

“TRA-6” Form

Enter Training Facility Name and Address. Enter Title of Training Course.

Please be sure to identify MoHealthWINs training programs for Career Center Trade Rep tracking.Example:

14

“TRA-6 Form”

Enter Training Beginning & Ending Dates.

Enter 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 weeksprovided. – Non-payable breaks in training are breaks that are 30 day or longer in length (Do not count weekends or holidays).

A breakdown of what classes are taken when helps Career Center staff count weeks actually in training!

15

“TRA-6” Form

Enter the Daily Class Schedule.– Time of the client’s classes. If classes differ per day, you may enter an

estimate and attach the client’s estimated schedule.

Mark either Part-time or Full-time Student.

Trade 2002 requires full-time attendance.Clients attending training under Trade 2009 or 2011 may attend part-time but will not be eligible for TRA weekly benefits.

Please stress attending full time to complete ASAP!

16

Completing the TRA-6 Form

Enter Number of Hours Per Week.– Amount of clock hours client is scheduled to attend class each week. – If classes differ per week or semester, you may enter an estimate and

attach the client’s estimated schedule.

Enter the Total Instruction/Credit Hours.– Amount of credit or instructional hours client will receive if they complete the

training program.

17

“TRA-6” Form

Enter the Vacation Schedule.– Breaks in between semesters including spring and/or summer breaks.– May enter “See attached” and attach copy of school’s vacation and

holiday calendar.

Enter the Holiday Schedule.– Days of non-attendance due to a holiday including Christmas,

4th of July, etc.

18

“TRA-6” Form

• Enter Description of and Type of Training.– Similar information that can be found within the school’s course catalog.– May enter “See attached” and attach a copy of the school’s course catalog

program information.

Mark all appropriate Remediation, Prerequisite, and Skills (Occupational) Training fields.– There are different types of TRA. Under Trade 2002 and 2009, a client may

qualify for Remedial TRA if they attend remedial and/or pre-requisite training.– Used to determine eligibility for TRA and are data items captured on Trade Act

Participation Report (TAPR).

Each entry has purpose - usually relates to weekly benefits.

19

“TRA-6” Form

Enter all associated costs for training 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.Later, If costs need amended, write the difference, + or -

20

“TRA-6” FormItems included in Other funding field can be included in this field.

This field should also be used to identify MoHealthWINs (MHW) training programs for Career Center Trade Rep tracking. MHW costs can also be listed in this field.– Example:

21

Completing the TRA-6 FormThis portion of TRA-6 is completed by Career Center Trade Representative.NOTE: Trade is primary fund. PELL is

used last. Timely scholarships used before PELL.

The designated training facility representative must sign and date and include phone number.

22

Completing the TRA-6 Form

Career Center Trade rep must also sign and date and enter appropriate Career Center location.

The school will later get a copy of this to confirm Trade funding.

23

Completing the TRA-6 Form

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 back of TRA-6 or

school can attach any relevant documentation.

24

Revised TRA-6 , 2nd page added 12/2012 for Trade Act 2011

Clients in Trade Act 2011 funded training must meet Two Benchmarks:

1. The client must maintain satisfactory academic standing

2. The client’s scheduled training end date must ne within the timeframe identified in the approved training plan (shown on the client’sTRA-6)

25

Revised TRA-6 , 2nd page added 12/2012 for Trade Act 2011

26

Revised TRA-6 , 2nd page added 12/2012 for Trade Act 2011

27

Revised TRA-6 , 2nd page added 12/2012 for Trade Act 2011

28

Invoice Criteria Training facilities must send Trade training-related

invoices to Trade rep at 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.

29

Books/Supplies Trade only pays for required items that all students attending the

training program must purchase. Trade does not cover book bags, computers/laptops. Trade does not cover guns but will pay for ammunition (for police

academy training). 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

30

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.

31

Example of letter sent to

school confirming client is

Trade-funded.

Also included:

TRA-6 copy that is now

signed and dated at the

bottom by the career

center representative

confirming Trade funding.

Termination Report

“22” form example and

directions.

32

Termination Report to be

completed by the school and returned

to the career center if the client

• never started school,

• did not achieve training objective,

• or completed training.

33

Weekly “22” FormStudent/client may receive Weekly “22” forms to present to school at end of each week.

Purpose: To document information needed to receive weekly TRA benefits &/or document attendance, progress, and funding information.

Not all Trade-funded students will present this form.

School’s responsibility is on page 2, questions 13-16 and writing school name, signing and dating.

34

Weekly “22” Form, Page 2, School Section

35

Questions for a Smooth Transition

Who is the best school staff person to receive final TRA-6, termination report and 22 directions?

How is 3rd Party Billing handled? Does student mark 3rd party billing on online enrollment?

What are withdrawal deadline dates? Any procedure needed to prevent auto-dropped classes?

How are supplies purchased at bookstore? (voucher, account #, etc.) What are bookstore &/or book return policies?

May student make more than one supply purchase during a semester or term?

Is bookstore aware of Trade-approved items for purchase?

Is a procedure needed to confirm continuation of Trade students each semester?

36

Shared Goal

Community Colleges and Trade Staff want clients /students to succeed.

Working together makes that happen.

Thank you for your time and dedication to help students succeed and for supporting Trade Act

clients.

37

DWD Central Office Trade Staff

Myrna Andres – DWD Trade Act Coordinatormyrna.andres@ded.mo.gov

Myra Huhmannmyra.huhmann@ded.mo.gov

Latonja Gormanlatonja.gorman@ded.mo.gov

Deb Painter * Processes TRA-6 forms

deborah.painter@ded.mo.gov