Section 597-1-6 - REASONABLE COST LIMIT FOR TRAININGApproved training must be provided at a reasonable cost. Approval requires that the training be "at the lowest reasonable cost."
1. The total cost of any TAA training shall be considered unreasonable if it exceeds $25,000. A. A training plan for an individual must be at the lowest reasonable cost available to the individual within the commuting area. The training must allow him/her to gain suitable employment in the workforce in the shortest time period (taking into account that part-time training is permitted for workers covered by petitions #70,000; 81,000+ or 80,000 choosing the 81,000 rules) and offer a reasonable expectation of prolonged employment.B. Training that involves transportation or subsistence costs that add substantially to the total training costs present the basis for not approving the training, when other appropriate training is available.C. The TAA Coordinator may consider those training plans that exceed the reasonable cost limit, if there is an extenuating circumstance and if funding is available. (1) An extenuating circumstance may exist when the individual resides in a rural part of the State that has few or no training options available within the commuting area, and the travel costs increase the overall cost of the plan beyond $25,000(2) The CareerCenter Case Manager shall document that other less expensive training options were explored within the commuting area and clarify why this more expensive training is more appropriate for this individual.D. An application for training shall not be approved if the training is in an occupational area which requires an extraordinarily high skill level and for which the total costs of the training are substantially higher than the costs of other training that is suitable for the individual.E. An application for training shall not be approved if the average costs of training are unreasonably high in comparison with the average costs of training of other individuals in similar occupations at other institutions or facilities providing training substantially similar in quality, content and results within a similar time frame.2. Costs of a training program shall include tuition and related expenses such as books, academic fees, tools, medical insurance, immunizations, physicals, uniforms, and travel or subsistence expenses.3. In determining what training-related costs are covered, two factors shall be considered: A. The item must be required, rather than recommended or suggested, for the trainee to undertake and complete the training program; andB. The item must be required for all students in order to participate in the proposed program.4. Documentation identifying required costs of all participants in that training program or a list of required items shall be provided by the individual. Acceptable documentation may include a letter printed on official school stationary and signed by a school authorized representative.5. End-of-training costs such as licenses, starter tools, and additional uniforms are considered "job search related expenditures," and are not covered under the Trade Act.6. Individuals in TAA approved training are allowed a maximum of $100 for school supplies for a 2-year program. School supplies such as spiral bound notebooks, three ring binders, paper, pens, pencils, highlighters, report covers and/or a backpack are items that may be purchased within this maximum allowance. Additional funding may be available depending on the need of the individual. School supplies do not include books, tools, tuition or academic fees.7. The CareerCenter Case Manager shall communicate to both the individual and the training institution at the beginning of the training that any charges to the bookstore for incidental expenses will be paid for by the participant, unless approved by the CareerCenter Case Manager.12- 597 C.M.R. ch. 1, § 6