Do online self-paced training courses count as ESD job search activities?

Online training CAN count as a job search activity, but there are some specific guidelines. The training needs to be directly related to improving your skills for employment in your field (which it sounds like yours is). According to ESD rules, you need to document the following: 1) Name of the training provider 2) Date of the activity 3) What specific skills you're learning 4) How it relates to your employment prospects Make sure you're keeping detailed records because if you get selected for job search review, you'll need to provide this info. I went through a verification last year and my LinkedIn Learning courses were accepted without issue.

My experience is that self-paced online training DOES count, but you need to be careful about how you document it. When I was on UI benefits in 2024, I used Coursera courses as job search activities, but I made sure to track specific modules completed on specific dates rather than just saying "I worked on my course." I'd recommend documenting each session like this: - Date: [specific date] - Activity: Completed Module 3 "Advanced Project Scheduling" in Professional Project Management course by [provider name] - Skills gained: Critical path analysis, resource allocation, timeline optimization - Benefit to job search: Enhanced project planning abilities required for Senior PM positions ESD wants to see that you're doing meaningful activities that genuinely improve your employment prospects, not just checking boxes.

Hi! I'm also on unemployment and trying to figure out the same thing. I got conflicting info when I called ESD last month - the first agent said online courses don't count unless they're through WorkSource, but when I called again later (after waiting for HOURS), a different agent said they do count as long as I document them properly. It's so confusing!!! Has anyone actually gotten through an ESD job search review using online courses?

When I was claiming last year I used udemy courses as job search activities but I only counted the days when I completed an entire section and got a certificate. my advice is don't count the days ur just watching videos, make sure ur completing something substantial each time u log it as an activity.

is this course free or r u paying for it? cause i heard somewhere that if ur paying for training ESD might consider that u aren't available for work which is required for benefits. anyone know if thats true??????

Coming from someone who's been through multiple ESD claim periods and job search reviews, here's my advice: 1. Self-paced training DOES count if properly documented 2. Use the WorkSource system whenever possible to record activities 3. Always connect the training directly to specific job skills 4. Keep proof of participation AND completion 5. Diversify your activities (don't ONLY use training) The ESD handbook specifically lists "Participating in job readiness or skills training" as an approved activity. Just make sure you're doing meaningful work in each session and documenting specific achievements/completions rather than just "spent time on course.

My wife just went through a job search review last month and they DID accept her LinkedIn Learning courses but rejected some YouTube tutorials she watched. I think the difference was that the LinkedIn courses had actual assessments and certificates, while the YouTube ones were just passive watching. So make sure whatever course you're taking has some kind of assessment or proof of active participation.

Quick follow-up for everyone in this thread - I just want to clarify something important: While training can count as a job search activity, remember that you still need to be able and available for work while claiming benefits. This means the training can't prevent you from accepting suitable full-time work if offered. As long as your course is flexible enough that you could pause or adjust it if you got a job offer, you're fine. Just something to keep in mind!

I've been through this exact situation! I used Udemy and Coursera courses as job search activities throughout my entire claim period last year and they were accepted during my review. Here's what worked for me: 1. Only count days when you complete substantial content (full modules, chapters with quizzes, etc.) 2. Document VERY specifically - not just "worked on course" but "Completed Module 5: Risk Management Fundamentals, learned Monte Carlo analysis and contingency planning techniques" 3. Save screenshots of completion certificates for EVERY module 4. Connect each learning outcome to actual job requirements you've seen in postings The key is showing active learning with measurable progress, not just passive consumption. I kept a separate spreadsheet tracking my course progress alongside my regular job search log. When ESD reviewed my claim, they specifically commented that my training documentation was thorough and clearly job-relevant. One tip: Mix your activities! Don't do training 3x per week - combine it with actual applications and networking. Shows you're taking a well-rounded approach to your job search.

Just wanted to add my recent experience to help others! I completed a Google Project Management Certificate program while on unemployment benefits last fall, and it was fully accepted during my job search review. The key things that made it work: 1. I documented each week's coursework as separate activities when I completed major assessments or capstone projects 2. I explicitly connected each module to specific PM job postings I was seeing (like "Completed Agile methodology module - directly applies to Senior PM role at ABC Company requiring Scrum experience") 3. I saved PDF certificates for each course completion, not just the final certificate What really helped was that I also used the skills immediately - I mentioned my new Google PM certification in cover letters and updated my resume, which showed ESD I was actively applying the training to my job search. The whole certificate took about 4 months and I probably used it for 8-10 job search activities total across different weeks. One warning though: Don't use the same ongoing course indefinitely. ESD wants to see you're making concrete progress, so if you're going to count a long course multiple times, make sure you're completing distinct modules or assignments each time you log it.

I'm new to unemployment benefits and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm starting a Salesforce certification course next week that's relevant to my field (sales operations), and I want to make sure I handle this correctly from the beginning. Based on everyone's advice here, my plan is to: - Only count days when I complete full modules with assessments - Document very specifically what skills I learned and how they apply to jobs I'm targeting - Save screenshots of all completion certificates - Mix this with regular job applications and networking activities One question I still have: Should I register my training activities through WorkSource, or is it sufficient to just document them in my regular job search log? I've seen conflicting information about whether using WorkSource makes the activities more "official" or accepted by ESD. Also, has anyone had experience with Salesforce Trailhead specifically? It's free and has built-in assessments and badges, so it seems like it would meet ESD's requirements, but I want to be sure before I start counting it. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is a lifesaver when the official ESD guidance is so unclear!

I went through a similar situation recently and wanted to share what worked for me. I used online training courses (specifically cybersecurity certifications through CompTIA) as job search activities for about 2 months of my claim period. Here's what I learned: ESD definitely accepts training courses, but documentation is EVERYTHING. I created a detailed log for each session that included: - Exact date and duration of study - Specific topics covered (not just "studied cybersecurity" but "completed Network+ module on subnetting and VLAN configuration") - Skills acquired and how they relate to job postings I was targeting - Screenshots of progress/completion for each module During my job search review in January, the ESD representative specifically praised my training documentation and said it was some of the best they'd seen. All my training activities were approved without question. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: make sure your course has some form of industry recognition or accreditation. Free courses from reputable platforms (Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning) or certification programs tend to carry more weight than random YouTube videos or blog tutorials. Your project management course sounds perfect - just make sure to break it down into meaningful chunks rather than logging "worked on course" every day. Good luck!

I'm currently on unemployment and have been hesitant to start any online training because I wasn't sure if it would count toward my job search requirements. This thread has been incredibly informative and has given me the confidence to move forward with a data analytics certification I've been considering. Based on everyone's experiences here, it seems like the key success factors are: - Choose courses from reputable platforms with certificates/badges - Document very specifically what you learned each session - Connect the skills directly to job requirements you're seeing - Save proof of completion for everything - Mix training with other job search activities One additional question for the group: Has anyone had experience using training courses that span multiple months? I'm looking at a 12-week data science bootcamp that would be perfect for transitioning into my target field, but I'm worried about using the same program as a job search activity over such a long period. Should I only count major project completions, or would weekly milestone achievements be appropriate to log as separate activities? Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable when navigating ESD's requirements!

I just wanted to jump in and add my recent experience since I literally just completed a job search review last week where online training was a major part of my activities. I used a mix of Udemy courses and free Google certifications throughout my 4-month claim period, and ESD accepted ALL of them during review. The reviewer actually told me that training activities are becoming increasingly common and accepted because they show genuine effort to improve employability. Here's what made the difference in my case: - I treated each course module like a "mini job application" - documented specific skills gained and immediately updated my LinkedIn/resume to reflect new competencies - Created a simple tracking system: Date | Course/Module | Skills Gained | Jobs This Applies To | Proof Saved - Always connected learning to actual job postings I found that week The reviewer was especially impressed that I could show how my new skills directly led to better-qualified applications. For example, after completing a Google Analytics course, I applied to three digital marketing roles that specifically required GA experience - roles I wouldn't have been qualified for before. Your project management course sounds perfect for this approach. Just remember that ESD wants to see you're actively job searching, not just studying, so balance is key. But don't hesitate to use quality training as part of your strategy - it absolutely counts when done right!