Worker Retraining

My girlfriend has just been informed that she is the LAST person who will be receiving worker retraining in Washington State as part of the stimulus package at the college she will be attending. The state allots only so much per college and the funding at this particular community college has just run out. This college is the only one in the State of Washington that offers a degree in the program that she wishes to study.

It seems the demand for paid worker retraining (thanks to rising unemployment) has exceeded supply.

Her advisor said, "You should thank your lucky stars tonight because you're the last one."

Future unemployment recipients will be required to fund their own education expenses from this point on. That might not be so easy (if the following article is any indicator).

August 25, 2009
Monster Meter Poll Reveals 34 Percent of U.S. Workers Surveyed Have Only One Week or Less of Savings to Cover Expenses if Laid Off from Work

Less than One-Quarter of U.S. Workers Surveyed on Monster.com Say their Savings Would Last Six Months or Longer After Job Loss