When a company reorganization left Melanie Masson out of work, she seized the moment.
The unexpected job loss meant Masson was able to make use of her time and unemployment benefits to pursue the education she’d long wanted — a certificate program in museum studies offered by UW Professional & Continuing Education (UWPCE).
“I found it to be a real asset to my career,” says Masson, who’s worked in membership and development for Seattle-area nonprofit organizations. “When you show that you are going back to school, employers see that you’re motivated.”
Could Learning New Skills Help You Get Back to Work?
Looking for an Eligible Training Program?
Check out UWPCE certificates and specializations on Washington’s Eligible Training Provider List:
▸ Select “University of Washington Professional and Continuing Education” from the School/college drop-down list.
▸ Be sure to check the box labeled “On Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL).”
Corporate layoffs and hiring freezes have forced job losses and hard choices for thousands of workers across Washington and the nation. If you’re among them, you might be able to use unemployment and training benefits to upgrade your skills before you take on a new role. Here’s how:
STEP 1: Contact WorkSource Washington
If you lose your job and you live in Washington, a first step is to apply for state unemployment benefits. Then, check out the WorkSource Washington website for resources about jobs and educational opportunities you might qualify for, such as retraining programs that can help you prepare for your next career move.
According to the Washington Employment Security Department, retraining benefits are customized for each person who qualifies. That’s why it’s important to contact your local WorkSource office, where employment counselors will review your job history and professional goals to determine your eligibility.
If you qualify, your counselor may be able to mix and match benefit programs to help you boost your skills or even start a new career.
STEP 2: Explore the Benefits Available to You
The next step is figuring out the specific education or training you need to enhance your long-term career prospects. Depending on the education you’re looking for, you may be eligible for unemployment-related programs such as these:
▸Training Benefits: If your last job was in an occupation that’s in decline, you may qualify for state-funded Training Benefits (TB). This program may allow you to receive up to 26 extra weeks of unemployment insurance payments — without having to look for a new job — while you train for work in a high-demand field. If you qualify, you’ll need to be enrolled in an eligible training program.
▸ Commissioner-Approved Training: If you lost your job and it’s not likely you’ll be able to return to the same occupation, you may qualify for Commissioner-Approved Training. This state benefit program allows qualified learners to pause their search for work while enrolled in a full-time training program for a new, in-demand job.
While these benefits don’t cover tuition and other school costs, you may be able to use unemployment insurance payments to pay for all or some of your course fees if you enroll in an eligible training program.
Need further help? Depending on your income level, you may qualify for assistance under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. Scholarships may also be an option.
Contact a counselor through your local Worksource office to learn which resources may be available to you.
STEP 3: Find an Approved Program
If you qualify for training benefits, you’ll need to enroll in a state-approved program. These Eligible Training Providers (ETPs) — including community colleges, technical colleges, private providers and UWPCE — must meet certain requirements, including a track record of student success in finding employment.
More than 75 UWPCE certificate programs and specializations are state-approved training programs — you’ll find them on the Eligible Training Provider list on the Career Bridge website, which matches job titles to education programs.
▸ To find an approved UWPCE program, select “University of Washington Professional and Continuing Education” from the School/college drop-down list, and check the box labeled “On Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL).”
How Can a Retraining Program Help You?
Job seekers have used unemployment benefits such as retraining programs to earn credentials in a variety of UWPCE programs, including certificates in Building Modern Data Systems, Machine Learning and Project Management.
Melanie Masson is among those successful graduates. She said she was eligible for federal benefits that covered more than half the costs of her program, now known as the UW Certificate in Museum Studies Foundations. While enrolled, Masson completed two internships, and began working full time at a Seattle museum.
“I appreciated the real-world experience the instructors brought to the classroom,” says Masson. “It made me confident that the material we were learning was relevant in the field, not just in an academic setting.”
Masson encourages anyone with an unexpected break in employment to make the most of their time by learning new skills.
“You might regret wasting untold hours watching Netflix,” Masson says. “You’ll never regret spending those hours expanding your education.”