Does CAT (Commissioner Approved Training) cover online university courses for ESD benefits?

ya i did CAT last year but it was for a trade school program. not sure bout online stuff. the form is super confusing tho!!

I successfully got CAT approval for my online courses at WGU last year. The key is that your program needs to be vocational in nature and lead directly to employment. General degrees like English Lit probably won't qualify, but something like Cybersecurity or Healthcare Administration likely will. The application requires a detailed training plan and proof of enrollment. You'll need to submit the Training Application form from your eServices account. Online universities absolutely can qualify as long as they're accredited. One important note: once approved, you're exempt from job search requirements for the duration of your approved training period (up to 2 years maximum). ESD will still require you to file weekly claims though!

I think it TOTALLY depends on who reviews your application!! My friend got approved for an online business degree but when I applied for almost the same program they denied me saying it wasn't "targeted enough" whatever that means. Their whole system seems pretty random sometimes.

CAT approval for online universities depends on several factors: 1. Your program must be vocational and lead to a specific occupation 2. You must demonstrate that jobs in this field are in demand in your local labor market 3. The school must be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency 4. You must be able to complete the program within a reasonable timeframe (generally 2 years for CAT) Data Analytics would likely qualify as it's vocational and in high demand. Make sure to include labor market information in your application showing job prospects. The ESD website has a list of pre-approved programs that automatically qualify, worth checking if your program is listed. The review process typically takes 2-3 weeks. If you're having trouble reaching ESD to check status, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they helped me get through to an agent when my CAT application was pending for too long. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3

I got denied for CAT twice before finally figuring out what they wanted. Here's my advice: - Be SUPER specific about how this training will lead to a job - Get letters from potential employers saying they hire people with this credential - Include actual job postings that ask for the degree you're pursuing - Make sure your school can provide documentation showing their job placement rates Online absolutely counts - I did mine through Arizona State online. But ESD is picky about the PROGRAM more than the delivery method.

dont waste ur time with CAT! my cousin did it and then had to pay back all his benefits when ESD randomly decided his program wasnt eligible anymore. just do the job search requirements its easier

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to submit my CAT application this week for the Data Analytics program. I'll make sure to include job postings and labor market info as suggested. Will update this thread once I hear back from ESD about the approval. Crossing fingers!