FUNDS FOR TRAINING

Eligibility Criteria:

·         Must be U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.

·         Must be at least 18 years of age

·         If male born on or after January 1, 1960, must have registered for Selective Service

·         Must be a resident of El Paso or Teller County

·         Must have a high school diploma or GED

·         Must have financial need for tuition assistance but have means to manage personal expenses while in school

·         Education/Training must lead to marketable skills in one of the occupations listed in the preliminary application

·         Must have demonstrated ability to maintain employment over the past 5 years

·         Education/ training program must be approved on Colorado Department of Labor’s Eligible Training List  ( https://eligibility.coworkforce.com/eligibility).If currently enrolled in school, must be within 18 months or 3 semesters of completing education/training program and have at least a 2.0 GPA

·         If not currently attending school, the training you are interested in must be an 18-month program or less. 

COLORADO ENHANCED APPROVED TRAINING PROGRAM Colorado unemployment claimants have the opportunity to attend school or training and receive 50 percent more in weekly benefits while attending training programs leading to occupations determined by the state to be in demand.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING The Pikes Peak Workforce Center is bringing employers and job seekers together to participate in an On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program. OJTs help job seekers bridge the gap between their current skills and the skills employers are seeking. It gives job seekers the opportunity to improve and/or gain new skills while being employed and earning a regular paycheck. Qualified job seekers for this program must be unemployed for at least 19 weeks. Please click on the link below for more information and to apply.

• Must be unemployed for a consecutive 27+ weeks
• Must be U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and pursuing a high skilled occupation
• If male born on or after January 1, 1960, must have registered for Selective Service
• Must be a resident of El Paso or Teller County
• Education/Training must lead to marketable skills in one of the industries listed above.
• Must have at least some post-secondary education and work experience that would allow participant to enter a defined career pathway

THINKING OF GOING BACK TO SCHOOL?
If you are thinking of going to school be sure to do your research BEFORE you commit to a program. Following are links to information that may help you avoid a costly mistake:
Understanding Accreditation		Will Retraining at a For-Profit College Help You Get a Job?
Career Colleges and Technical Schools - Choosing a School		Questions to Ask BEFORE Enrolling
5 Ways to Vet For-Profit Colleges		6 Reasons to Attend a Community College
American Job Center Education and Training

FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES
Following is a list of resources that may be able to help you with financial aid or with upgrading your employment skills:
National College Finance Center The National College Finance Center (NCFC) creates a personalized college finance plan or repayment plan based on your individual information and situation — providing you with an action plan to take you in the right direction! The NCFC’s mission is to guide students and families to resources that will help pay for college the smartest way possible, as well as provide information and advice on repaying students loans.		College in Colorado A free website to explore career and education opportunities, Plan your strategies to achieve them, Advance your possibilities.
Pell Grants The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post baccalaureate students to promote access to post secondary education.		FASFA Federal Student Aid The U.S. Department of Education's site for free information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.
Colorado Enhanced Approved Training Program Colorado unemployment claimants now have the opportunity to attend school or training and receive 50% more in weekly benefits if they are attending or recently attended training programs leading to certain occupations.		PPCC Financial Aid
PPCA Individual Development Account The Individual Development Account Program (IDA) is a matched saving program for low-income individuals who are employed and have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The IDA program addresses the issue of self-sufficiency and poverty elimination through the innovative approach of asset acquisition. Participants can save up to $1,000 to be matched with up to $2,000 for a total of up to $3,000 for post-secondary Education, to start or expand a small business, or to purchase a first home. Additionally, under the primary assets of education and small business, clients can save an additional $500 to be matched with up to $1,000 for a total of up to $1,500 towards an automobile purchase.		PPWFC Workshops
PPWFC Career Planning Tools

Green Jobs

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