Worker Retraining
Room W207, West Building: 11605 132nd Ave. NE, Kirkland, WA 98034 On campus, follow the signs to "Student Services".
(425) 739-8300
worker.retraining@lwtc.edu

Free Tuition. No Fees.

The Worker Retraining Program is currently experiencing unprecedented demand for services. Please follow the steps below carefully so we may serve you as quickly as possible.

Please note that in some cases it may take several weeks to help you complete all of your Unemployment Insurance-related paperwork.

The Worker Retraining Program provides free tuition, career counseling, academic guidance and other benefits to individuals in career transition such as laid off workers, displaced homemakers, military veterans and formerly self-employed individuals.

You could be eligible for this program if you:

• are unemployed and eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits OR...
• have exhausted Unemployment Insurance benefits in the past two years; OR...
• are a displaced homemaker/were relying on someone else's income while caring for a family member(s) but that income is no longer available, due to a death or divorce, for example OR...
• were self-employed and are now unemployed due to general economic conditions OR...
• have been honorably discharged from military service within the past two years.

Step 1: Select a Training Program

Find out what LWTC has to offer by attending our LWTC Information Session, held every Tuesday 10am-11am in the West Building, Room W204-F. (Campus map)... this orientation is for all new students. No need to RSVP - just show up. A campus tour is offered immediately following this session... or stay to get more info from one of our academic advisors. 

Still not sure which training program is right for you? Meet with a career advisor in our Employment Resources Center, West Building, Room W207. Call 425/739-8113 for appointment. You may also attend a free career choice workshop held the first and third Friday of every month at 10am. Call 425/739-8113 to RSVP.  

Step 2: Show Your Math & English

Thinking about a certificate or degree program? After the LWTC Info Session, take your college transcripts or unofficial copies showing a "C" (2.0) or higher in math and English to our Advising Office to get registered for classes. 

No math/English in your college transcripts? Go to our Assessment Office, West Building, Room W204 or (425) 739-8115 and the kind people there will assess your skills in math and English so that you'll be allowed to register for classes... For our Assessment Office hours and practice tests: http://lwtchost.ctc.edu/dept/assessment/Tests/placementtest/

Along the way: Do the FAFSA

Apply for grants or other financial aid (mandatory) at www.fafsa.ed.gov

* Use your 2008 tax return to apply for the 2009-2010 academic year.

* OR: Attend a FAFSA workshop offered through our Financial Aid Office. See dates and times for workshops at: www.lwtc.edu/financialaid

* No need to apply for FAFSA if you need just a few classes OR if you enroll in a very short-term academic program. Please see the Financial Aid Office, Room W-209, West Building, for an updated list.

Step 3: Attend our Worker Retraining Resources Workshop - 2pm Tuesdays

This mandatory workshop is held every Tuesday 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the West Building, Room 204-F . (Campus map) This workshop provides an overview of funding resources to pay for college as well as deadlines to watch and regulations to navigate for Unemployment Insurance benefits while in school.

Immediately following the workshop, we will process Worker Retraining applications in a FAST TRACK SESSION IF YOU CAN SHOW:

* Government-issued photo ID such as driver license or passport

* Social Security Card or Passport or birth certificate to prove citizenship 

* Unemployment Insurance benefits check stub (for laid off workers)

Step 4: Get your Academic Plan

If you're eligible for Unemployment Insurance AND you've decided on a career goal you must have an academic plan for your UI paperwork: The Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) and Training Benefit (TB).

Please call 425/739-8300 for this meeting with an Advisor. 

NOTE: Due to demand, advisors often book up for apppointments in advance. Please schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

NOTE: If you're not eligible for UI benefits, skip to Step 6.

Step 5: Attend our "CAT-TB" Workshop

Step 6: Meet your Worker Retraining Specialist

Following the Worker Retraining Resources Workshop, you will be contacted by one of our staff with an appointment to complete the process with your Worker Retraining Specialist - bring your academic plan with you to this meeting.