Eligibility FAQs
1. Can individuals looking for workforce training apply to ETP?
No. ETP contracts with California employers and groups of employers for workforce training. If you are an individual looking for job training, click here to view current training opportunities for individuals. You may contact the Employment Development Department, Job Services for information on employment opportunities.
2. Can I train my employees who live outside of California?
No. ETP contracts only reimburse for trainees/employees who live within the state of California.
3. If my company registered to do business in the state of California with the California Secretary of State’s Office, am I eligible to hold an ETP contract?
Possibly, yes. For companies who train their own workers, ETP does verify that you are actively registered with the CA Secretary of State’s Office (SOS), since this is a pre-existing legal requirement. Simply being actively registered with the CA SOS does not guarantee ETP eligibility, though. For companies who train the employees of other companies, this requirement may or may not apply.
4. Do I need to pay my employees during ETP reimbursable training?
ETP typically will not reimburse for training where employees are not paid during the training, although there are some limited instances where employees are not paid during training.
5. If my company pays into the CA Unemployment Insurance Tax (UI), and is subject to the Employment Training Tax (ETT), am I eligible to hold an ETP contract?
Possibly, yes. For companies training their own employees, ETP does verify that these companies pay UI and are subject to the ETT, since ETP is entirely funded through the ETT. Simply paying the UI and being subject to the ETT do not guarantee eligibility with ETP however. For companies that train the employees of other companies, this requirement may not apply.
6. If my trainees are employed full time (35 hours per week) for 90 days after training is completed, is my company eligible to contract with ETP?
Yes, possibly. ETP requires that trainees be held in their job once their training has completed for a minimum amount of time, usually full time for 90 days. This is called a retention period. ETP does have other, alternate retention periods, especially for those industries where a standard work week is not the norm.
7. If my company trains the employees of other companies, am I eligible to contract with ETP?
Yes, possibly. ETP terms these types of contracts Multiple Employer Contracts (MECs). There are a variety of MEC contractor types, including CA Workforce Development Boards, chambers of commerce, licensed/accredited training agencies, professional/membership organizations, and DAS approved apprenticeship programs. Other eligibility requirements may apply.
8. If I train the employees of other companies, do I need to be able to provide proof of employment for these trainees?
Yes. ETP will verify certain information about each trainee enrolled in an ETP contract, including place of employment, length of employment, and wage levels.
9. Are there any industries that are not eligible for ETP funding?
Yes. Currently, these are: adult entertainment, commission sales retail trade, gambling, mortgage banking, multi-level marketing, training for the employees of training agencies, truck driving schools, partners & principles in professional firms, and all non-priority industries.
10. Are there any industries that are considered priority industries for ETP funding?
Yes. Currently, these are: agriculture, allied health, biotechnology, construction, green/clean technology, goods movement and transportation logistics, information technology systems, manufacturing and food production, multi-media and entertainment, and technical services. Priority industries are determined by EDD issued NAICS code. NAICS stands for the North American Industry Classification System. A listing of all priority industry NAICS codes can be found here.