Training Opportunities Program (TOP)

With TOP, you can collect unemployment benefits while attending a full-time training program that will help you back to work.

What is TOP?

TOP (also known as Section 30) allows people to attend a training program while they're receiving unemployment benefits.

If you're interested in TOP, you need to apply and meet program requirements.

Step 1: Find out if you qualify

TOP is for people who are receiving unemployment benefits and need to find a job in a new industry.

There are a few reasons this might happen, but TOP may be a good fit for you if: 

• You worked in an industry that's declining, and you need to transition to a new industry.
• You need to learn new skills to get a job in the same industry.
• You need basic skills training to get a new job.
  • Basic skills courses include adult basic education (ABE), high school equivalency (HiSET or GED), and English as a Second Language (ESOL).
• You worked at a company that closed and there aren't any similar jobs near you.
• You can't do your old job for medical reasons.

Step 2: Find an approved training program

You need to enroll in a full-time training program. This might include apprenticeships, vocational programs, or courses at colleges or universities.

What is a full-time program?

Full-time programs:

• Provide at least 20 hours of supervised, classroom instruction each week OR
• At least 12 credit hours per semester OR
• Meet state or federal certification requirements for practicums or internships

If you can't attend a full-time program, TOP may not be a great fit for you.

What is an approved program?

TOP programs must be approved by the state. In Massachusetts, many programs are pre-approved.

Find pre-approved programs

• Explore pre-approved programs online in MassHire Jobquest, or
• Visit your local MassHire Career Center, where staff can help find programs that are a good fit for you

Find other programs

You can enroll in programs that are not pre-approved (including out-of-state programs). The program you choose will need to be approved before you can participate in TOP. 

Your local MassHire Career Center can help you find programs that meet TOP requirements.

Find an approved training program online  Find a local MassHire Career Center 

Step 3: Find out how to pay for your training

TOP does not help pay for the training. Grants, scholarships, and other funding sources may be available to help you pay for it. 

Your local MassHire Career Center can help you find and apply for funding you may be eligible for.

Step 4: Apply for the training program

You need to apply to the training program directly. For example, if you want to take classes at a community college, complete that school's application for enrollment. Your local MassHire Career Center can help you apply to training programs, or you can do it yourself.

Step 5: Apply for TOP

You need to be accepted to the program and have a start date to apply for TOP benefits.

You should apply for TOP before your 20th week of unemployment benefits. Your TOP application deadline is available in your Unemployment Services for Workers account.

• If you are approved, you can attend your training and continue to collect unemployment benefits (up to 26 additional weeks of unemployment benefits).
• If you are not approved, you can still attend your training, but it may change your eligibility for unemployment benefits.

Learn how to apply for TOP 

Step 6: Attend the training program

You should start your training at the earliest available start date. You should start your training before the end of your unemployment benefit year, even if your application is still pending.

While enrolled in training, you must:

• Attend all your classes. DUA and Career Center staff will check your attendance, so be sure to let the Career Center know if you need to miss any classes.
• Continue to file your weekly claim for unemployment benefits. You don't need to look for work, but you do need to answer questions about your program attendance.
• Complete your training on time. For example, if your training program is 15 weeks long, you need to finish in 15 weeks. If you need more time, call [phone] as soon as possible.

Unemployment benefits while in training

If you're approved for TOP, you can attend training:

• While receiving benefits for your initial unemployment claim (this is also called regular benefits). In Massachusetts, this is up to 30 weeks of unemployment benefits. You don't need to look for work while attending training.
• After your initial claim ends, up to 26 additional weeks (this is also called RED benefits), depending on the length of your program.