Worker Retraining

The Worker Retraining program can help pay for training expenses for those who have lost their jobs due to economic changes and for those who have been laid off, are unemployed, or are dislocated workers in the State of Washington. The program provides job training to eligible members of Washington's workforce.

This program emphasizes retraining and rapid re–employment; therefore, students must be enrolled in a Short–Term Training, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Applied Baccalaureate Degrees (BAS), not in programs designed for transfer to a four–year college or university. The Worker Retraining program was reauthorized in 1999 to be funded from the Washington State General Fund and is administered by the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges.

Worker Retraining grants provide:

  • Tuition assistance
    • Note: For Bachelor of Applied Science students, tuition assistance is only available for one quarter (15 credits) of BAS classes.
  • Required textbooks and supplies for classes
  • Educational planning and advising
  • Assistance with forms such as Employment Security Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) and Training Benefits (TB) applications, Workforce Investment Act/Dislocated Worker, and Trade Adjustment Act.
  • Assistance with CAT/TB application and TAA paperwork
  • Assistance with employment benefit extensions and approval to attend college

If you are currently working and meet two of the three criteria below, you may qualify for Worker Retraining funding:

  • A vulnerable worker (at risk of being unemployed) who meets two of the following three requirements:

Other Worker Retraining criteria:

  • Collecting unemployment insurance (UI)
  • Exhausted UI within the last four years
  • Received a layoff or WARN notice
  • Displaced homemakers (divorced, widowed, separated)
  • Formerly self–employed (business closed due to economy)
  • Active military with separation notice or separated from the military within the last four years

How to Get Started

To find out if you qualify, complete the quarterly intake form below:

If you have questions or need assistance with completing the intake form, please contact the Workforce Education Office at workforcesouth@seattlecolleges.edu or (206) 934-5885.

After you have completed the intake form, our specialists will reach out to you with more assistance.

Note: Dreamers (undocumented students) that meet the criteria may be eligible for Worker Retraining funding.

Additional Resources

South Seattle College is also the site of a Washington State Employment Security co-located office. The onsite employment security specialist can provide assistance with a job search, unemployment questions, skills assessment, and other concerns relating to employment security. To reach the Washington State Employment Security Office, contact the South Seattle College WorkSource Career Center at (206) 934-5304.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.