TWC workforce specialist called about career training - is attendance mandatory?
I got a call yesterday from a TWC workforce specialist asking if I wanted to participate in some career training program. I explained that I already have an established trade (HVAC technician with 6 years experience) and have been actively applying to positions all across Houston. I've also completed several technical skills assessments through WorkInTexas.com as required. The specialist was kind of pushy about the training opportunity, which made me nervous. Am I actually REQUIRED to attend career training to keep receiving my unemployment benefits? I don't want to waste time in a classroom learning skills I already have when I could be interviewing and finding actual work. Has anyone else gotten these calls? What happens if I decline?
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Emma Olsen
They cant force u to do training u dont need. Its just something they offer to help ppl who dont have marketable skills. If u already got a trade ur good just keep doing ur weekly payment requests and work searches
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Christian Bierman
•Thanks! That's a relief. The way she was talking made it sound mandatory. I'll keep focusing on my job applications then.
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Lucas Lindsey
This is a common question! The Training Opportunity programs through TWC are completely voluntary. However, sometimes the workforce specialists have monthly quotas for enrollment, which is probably why they were pushing it. As long as you're completing your required 3 work search activities each week and submitting your payment requests on time, you're meeting your obligations. Make sure you keep detailed records of all your job applications in case you get selected for a work search audit. If you decline the training, it won't affect your benefits eligibility at all. Just be polite but firm that you already have marketable skills and are actively pursuing employment in your field.
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Sophie Duck
•Is it the same for all industries? I worked in oil & gas but they're trying to get me to take some computer training course. I'm worried about getting disqualified if I don't go???
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Lucas Lindsey
•Yes, it's the same for all industries. The key is whether you're meeting your work search requirements. If you're actively seeking suitable employment in your field, you don't have to accept training in a different industry. However, if your industry has limited opportunities, enhancing your skills might be beneficial - but it's still not mandatory for receiving benefits.
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Austin Leonard
i got the same call last week!!! the lady made it sound super important and scared me into signing up for some 2-week excel course. Now im stuck going to this stupid thing when i coulda been looking for actual jobs. WISH ID SEEN THIS POST SOONER!!!
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Anita George
•I'd call back and cancel if you don't want to attend. TWC can't penalize you for declining voluntary training. These specialists are just trying to fill seats sometimes. I've been through the system twice and never did any of their suggested training programs.
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Abigail Spencer
The info others have shared is correct - training is VOLUNTARY, not mandatory. But I want to add that if you DO decide to participate in an approved TWC training program, you can actually get a waiver for the work search requirements during that training period. This is called the "Training Waiver" and it means you don't have to do your 3 weekly work searches while you're in the program. So for some people, especially those changing careers or needing new skills, the training option can be beneficial. But for someone like you who already has marketable skills in HVAC, it probably doesn't make sense. Just keep documenting your work search activities carefully. I recommend using a spreadsheet to track employer names, positions, application dates, and any responses.
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Christian Bierman
•That's really useful information about the Training Waiver! I didn't know that was an option. For my situation though, you're right - it makes more sense to keep searching in my field. HVAC jobs are picking up now that we're heading into summer anyway.
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Logan Chiang
Man I spent 45 minutes on hold with TWC yesterday trying to ask almost this exact question and never got through! The endless busy signals and disconnections are driving me crazy.
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Sophie Duck
•Try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It got me through to an actual TWC agent in about 20 minutes after I'd spent days getting nowhere. They have this callback system that somehow bypasses the hold times. Saw their demo video (https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh) and it worked exactly like they showed. Was able to get my training question answered right away.
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Logan Chiang
•Thanks for the tip! I'll check it out. Anything is better than the hours of busy signals I've been dealing with.
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Anita George
TWC has really ramped up pushing these training programs in 2025. It's part of their workforce development initiative. These programs can be excellent for people without skills, but they're creating confusion by aggressively marketing them to EVERYONE. Remember that unemployment insurance is an earned BENEFIT. As long as you're meeting your obligations (payment requests + work searches), you control your reemployment strategy. Don't let overeager workforce specialists make you think otherwise.
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Austin Leonard
•My neighbor said if u turn down ANY "help" from TWC they can cut off ur benefits is that true???
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Anita George
•That's completely false. Your neighbor is confusing TWC with work refusal rules, which only apply to actual job offers matching your skills and previous wage level. Declining optional services like training has absolutely no impact on your benefits eligibility.
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Sophie Duck
I DID take one of their training programs last month for basic accounting and it was actually pretty good! The instructor was knowledgeable and they provided certifications that look decent on a resume. So while you're definitely not required to go, they're not all bad if you actually want to learn something new. Just depends on your situation I guess.
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Christian Bierman
•That's good to know! If my job search drags on for a few more months, maybe I'll consider adding some complementary skills. Did they have any business management courses for trades? That might actually be useful for eventually starting my own HVAC business.
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Sophie Duck
•They had a small business essentials class that covered basic accounting, marketing and management stuff. Might be worth asking about if you're thinking of going independent eventually!
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