Section 5400.210  Qualification of Training Programs and Training Providers

a)         The Authority shall approve educational and vocational programs and courses as Qualified Training Programs in which individuals seeking additional educational skills may enroll and for which individuals may receive Benefits to defray the costs of the Training Program.

b)         Training Programs which are eligible to be qualified pursuant to this Section shall:

1)         provide vocational or educational training in semi-technical or technical fields or semi-skilled or skilled fields;

2)         reflect current local labor market needs; and

3)         be structured to develop marketable skills.  (Section 17 of the Act)

            Generally, except for workplace literacy and basic skills education training, if more than 50% of the training consists of basic education (such as remedial english or math) of if the training is in preparation of a job providing compensation based solely on commission, that training does not constitute vocational or educational training in semi-technical or technical fields or semi-skilled or skilled fields.  Training Providers may utilize labor market information sources such as the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Illinois Occupational Information Coordinating Council, to demonstrate that programs reflect current local labor market needs and are structured to develop marketable skills.  Any Training Program approved pursuant to the federal Job Training Partnership Act, or paragraph C(5) of Section 500 of the Unemployment Insurance Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 48, par. 420), or approved as an apprenticeship Training Program by the Illinois Department of Employment Security is an eligible Training Program.  (Section 17 of the Act)

c)         Qualified Training Programs may be offered by Training Providers which are institutions located in the State (Section 17 of the Act) and which satisfy one of the following eligibility requirements:

1)         The institution is operated by a public school as defined in the School Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 122, par. 1-3).  (Section 17 of the Act)

2)         The institution is operated by a public community college as defined in the Public Community College Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 122, par. 101-2).  (Section 17 of the Act)

3)         The institution is operated publicly or privately on a not for profit basis and meets standards substantially equivalent to those of comparable institutions operated by the State or by public community colleges.  (Section 17 of the Act)  In determining whether an institution meets standards substantially equivalent to those of comparable institutions operated by the State or by public community colleges, the Authority shall consider standards as established by the State Board of Education and shall consider factors such as the adequacy of the physical facilities, the qualifications of the instructors, and the placement history of the institution.

4)         The institution is operated by a college or any business, trade, technical or vocational school which is recognized or accredited by a recognized national or multistate organization or association which regularly recognizes or accredits colleges or schools. (Section 17 of the Act)

5)         The institution is operated publicly or privately, but does not operate as its principal business educational and vocational training programs, provided the programs offered by the institution are operated as a distinct unit of that institution, and participation in the program is not contingent on an individual's becoming an employee of that concern. (Section 17 of the Act)

d)         On a quarterly basis the Board shall publish a list of Qualified Training Programs for which vouchers may be issued under these rules.  The list shall be kept on file at the Authority's office and shall be available upon request.  Qualified Training Programs must meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section and must be offered by a Training Provider meeting the requirements of subsection (c) of this Section.  In selecting those programs which qualify, the Board shall consider the following:

1)         The recommendations of the State Board of Higher Education, the State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board and other state agencies or associations.  (Section 17 of the Act)

2)         The extent to which the Training Program advances the purposes of the Act.

3)         The extent to which the Training Program maximizes the number of jobs to be created or retained.

4)         The degree of need for the skills to be provided by the Training Program.

5)         The demand for the Training Program and the availability of funds to finance vouchers for the Training Program.

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8529, effective May 29, 1992)