Trade Act Program - Overview of the Data
These data provide information on TAA activity from the point at which worker groups petition to receive TAA, through several months after TAA participants have exited the program in order to determine whether; (1) they have successfully obtained employment shortly after exit, (2) whether that employment is sustained, and (3) the wage that is earned by those that are employed. As noted below, this data comprises a mix of those served under the 2002 amendments to the Trade Act of 1974 (old program), and those served under the 2009 amendments to the Trade Act (new program).
Numbers for petitions filed, certifications, and estimated workers all concern data regarding worker group eligibility for TAA. After a petition is filed on behalf of a worker group, OTAA conducts an investigation to determine whether the worker group is trade affected according to eligibility criteria. If so, a certification will be issued. The TAA certification includes an estimate of the size of the worker group that has been or is threatened with layoff during the three year period which usually applies to a certification. Data described in this section pertains exclusively to those served under the new TAA program.
Once a group of workers is certified, individuals may then apply for benefits and services funded by TAA. Of the benefits and services available under the TAA program, TRA benefits and TAA approved training are the most substantial. The volume of TRA activity in most states for FY 2010 is heavily affected by extended unemployment insurance benefits for the FY 2010 period. Because available UI benefits must be accessed before TRA benefits, the availability of extended UI has reduced or replaced TRA payments and is reflected in reduced TRA activity reported. Data described in this section contain a mixture of those served under the old program and the new TAA program.
Reported data for TAA program exiters tracks reemployment outcomes. Common Measures outcomes allow for comparing the same performance outcome results across all ETA programs, while Trade Act Measures measure TAA performance in a manner mandated by the 2009 amendments to the Trade Act. Note that all of the data reported in this section relates to TAA participants served under the old program. This is because there has not been sufficient time since the implementation of the 2009 amendments for new program participants to enroll in the program, receive services, exit the program, and have outcomes reported.
|
Common Measures |
Trade Act Measures |
|---|---|---|
Entered Employment Rate |
Percentage of individuals that are employed in the first quarter after program exit. |
Percentage of individuals that are employed in the second quarter after program exit. |
Employment Retention Rate |
Of those employed in the first quarter after exit, the percentage employed in both the second and third quarter after exit. |
Of those employed in the second quarter after exit, the percentage employed in both the third and fourth quarter after exit. |
Average Earnings |
Of those earning wages in the first quarter after exit, the total amount earned by those that earned wages in both the second and third quarter after exit. |
Of those earning wages in the second quarter after exit, the total amount earned by those that earned wages in both the third and fourth quarter after exit. |
