Each state could allow workers in approved training programs to collect unemployment insurance benefits for up to 26 additional weeks.

Highly skilled workers are not only essential for productivity but are also less likely to experience long-term unemployment that low-skilled workers. Yet often times, unemployed workers don’t have the luxury of taking time away from the workforce for training. Extending unemployment insurance to workers in training will help low-skilled workers get needed skills and escape the trap of circular employment/unemployment that affects many such workers.