The Trade Adjustment Assistance program, known as TAA, offers training to people so they can re-enter the job market. It was created in 1974 to provide re-employment services and benefits to trade-affected workers.

The training provider must be on the list of eligible providers -- Pitt-Bradford  is -- and these six criteria are applicable:

• There is no suitable employment, which may include technical or professional employment available for the worker. Suitable employment means, with respect to a worker, work of a substantially equal or higher skill level than the worker’s past adversely affected employment and wages for such work at not less than 80 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage.
• The worker would benefit from appropriate training. The worker must have a need for skills training or remedial education and have the mental and physical capabilities to undertake, make satisfactory progress in and complete the training. In addition, the worker must be job ready on completion of the training program.
• There is a reasonable expectation of employment following completion of training. Based on the labor market conditions expected to exist at the time of completion of training, there is a reasonable expectation that the worker will find a job using the skills and education acquired while in training, after completion of the training.
• Training is reasonably available to the worker. Training must be within the worker’s commuting area at an approved training provider. If training is not accessible to the worker within commuting distance, the cost of transportation must be considered in determining whether the training program is at a reasonable cost.
• The worker is qualified to undertake and complete training. This emphasizes the worker’s personal qualifications, both mental and physical, educational background, work experience and financial resources as adequate to undertake and complete training.
• Training is suitable for the worker and available at a reasonable cost. Training must be suitable for the worker based on the worker’s capabilities, background and experience. In addition, training may not be approved at one provider when training substantially similar in quality, content and results can be obtained from another provider at a lower total cost within a similar time frame.

If you have any questions or need more information about the TAA program, contact:

• Bob Dilks, director of transfer and nontraditional student recruitment, at 814-362-7693 or dilks@pitt.edu   or
• Cindy Nowacki, transfer and nontraditional student counselor at 814-362-5013 or can18@pitt.edu.