DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Economic Services Administration)

(1) What is vocational education?

Vocational education is training that leads to a degree or certificate in a specific occupation, not to result in a ((baccalaureate)) bachelor's or advanced degree unless otherwise indicated ((below)) in subsection (4) of this section, ((and is)) offered by an accredited:

(a) Public and private technical college or school;

(b) Community college;

(c) Tribal college; or

(d) ((For)) Community based organizations for customized job skills training (((formerly known as preemployment training), community based organizations)) programs only.

(2) Vocational education may include one or more of the following:

(a) Customized job skills training;

(b) High-wage/high-demand training;

(c) Approved homework and study activities associated with the educational activity; ((and/or))

(d) Remedial/developmental education, prerequisites, basic education ((and/or)) or English as a second language training deemed a necessary part of the vocational education program.

(3) What is customized job skills training?

Customized job skills training helps you learn skills ((you need)) needed for an identified entry-level job that pays more than average entry-level wages((.

(a) Customized job skills training)), and is an acceptable WorkFirst activity when an employer or industry commits to hiring or giving hiring preference ((to WorkFirst participants who successfully complete customized job skills training)) upon completion.

(4) What is high-wage/high-demand training?

(a) There are two types of high-wage/high-demand (((HWHD))) full-time training options for ((TANF recipients)) WorkFirst participants to complete a certificate or degree that will lead to employment in a high-wage/high-demand occupation:

(i) Information technology, health care, or other professional-technical programs((: This option allows you)) that allows recipients to start and finish a one-year or shorter state, community, or technical college training program in ((the information technology, health care)) these fields or other professional-technical programs that meet high-wage/high-demand criteria((; and/or)).

(ii) Certificate/degree completion((: This option allows you)) programs that allow recipients to finish ((up)) the last year of any certificate or degree program, not to exceed a ((baccalaureate)) bachelor's degree, in a high-wage/high-demand field on an exception basis. ((The high-wage/high-demand criteria for this option is based on median income and high-demand occupations within the local labor market as determined by)) Employment security department bases the high-wage/high-demand criteria on median income and high-demand occupations with the local labor market.

(b) ((For both types of HWHD training, the training can be approved one-time only (barring an approved exception to policy))) The department may approve high-wage/high-demand training once in a lifetime without an approved exception to policy.

(c) To qualify for ((HWHD)) high-wage/high-demand training, you must also:

(i) Meet all of the prerequisites ((for the course));

(ii) Be able to obtain the certificate or degree within twelve calendar months;

(iii) Participate full time in the training program and make satisfactory progress;

(iv) Work with ((WorkFirst staff)) the employment security department during the last quarter of training for job placement; and

(v) Return to job search once you complete the educational program if still unemployed.

(5) When ((can)) may vocational education be included in my individual responsibility plan?

((We)) The department may ((add)) include vocational education ((to)) in your individual responsibility plan for up to twelve months if:

(a) Your comprehensive evaluation shows that you:

(i) Need this education to become employed or get a better job; and ((you))

(ii) Are able to participate full time in vocational education or combine vocational education with any approved WorkFirst work activity((; or)).

(b) You are in an internship or practicum for up to twelve months that is paid or unpaid and required to complete a course of vocational training or to obtain a license or certificate in a high demand program; ((or))

(c) You have limited English proficiency and ((you)) lack job skills that are in demand for entry-level jobs in your area((;)), and the vocational education program is the only way that you can acquire these skills (because there is no available work experience, community service or on-the-job training that can teach you these skills); or

(d) You ((are in the pregnancy to employment pathway)) meet the requirements in WAC 388-310-1450 and your comprehensive evaluation shows vocational education would help you find and keep employment. (((See WAC 388-310-1450.)))

(6) ((Can)) May I get help with paying the costs of vocational education?

WorkFirst may pay for the costs of ((your)) vocational education, such as tuition or books, ((for)) up to twelve months, if vocational education is in your individual responsibility plan and there is no other way to pay them. You may also get help with paying your child care costs through the working connections child care program((. (See chapter 388-290 [170-290] WAC for the working connections child care program rules.))) if you meet criteria in chapter 388-290 WAC.