436-120-0443 Training — General (1) Training services include but are not limited to plan development, training, monthly monitoring of training progress, and job placement services. (2) The training plan must be developed and monitored by a counselor. (3) The selection of plan objectives and the kind of training must attempt to minimize the length and cost of training necessary to prepare the worker for suitable employment. (4) If there are any changes made to the original training plan, an addendum to Form 1081, "Training Plan," must be completed, signed by all parties, and submitted to the division. (5) Basic education may be offered, with or without other training components, to raise the worker’s education to a level to enable the worker to obtain suitable employment. (6) On-the-job training prepares the worker for permanent, suitable employment with the training employer and for employment in the labor market at large. On-the-job training must be considered first in developing a training plan. (7) Occupational skills training is offered through a community college, based on a predetermined curriculum, at the training employer’s location. (8) Formal training may be offered through a vocational school licensed by an appropriate licensing body, community college, or other post-secondary educational facility that is part of a state system of higher education. (9) Rehabilitation facilities training provides evaluation, training, and employment for severely disabled individuals. (10) Notwithstanding OAR 436-120-0145(2)(a), the director may order the insurer, or the insurer may elect, to provide training outside Oregon if such training would be more timely, appropriate, or cost effective than other alternatives. (11) Training status continues during the following breaks: (a) A regularly scheduled break of not more than six weeks between fixed school terms; (b) A break of not more than two weeks between the end of one kind of training and the start of another for which the starting date is flexible; or (c) A period of illness or recuperation of the worker that does not prevent completion of the training by the planned date. (12) The insurer must pay the worker temporary disability compensation, under ORS 656.268 and 656.340, when the worker is actively engaged in an authorized training plan and there is a Form 1081, "Training Plan," signed by the worker, the insurer, and the counselor who developed the plan. (13) Temporary disability compensation is limited for each eligibility period to 16 months unless extended to 21 months by the insurer or ordered by the director when the worker provides good cause. Good cause may include but is not limited to the reasons given under section (15) of this rule. In no event may temporary disability compensation during training be paid for more than 21 months. (14) In addition to other requirements in OAR chapter 436, the insurer may not end temporary disability benefits until written notice under OAR 436-060-0015(7) has been mailed or delivered to the worker and the worker’s attorney, if the worker is represented. (15) Training costs may be paid for periods longer than 21 months. Reasons for extending training may include but are not limited to: (a) Reasons beyond the worker’s control; (b) The worker has an exceptional disability, which is a disability equal to or greater than the complete loss, or loss of use, of both legs, or a brain injury that results in impairment equal or greater than Class 3 as defined in OAR 436-035-0390; or (c) The worker has an exceptional loss of earning capacity, which exists when no suitable training plan of 18 months or less will eliminate the worker’s substantial handicap to employment. The extension must allow the worker to obtain, at the time of completion of the training program, a wage that is as close as possible to the worker’s adjusted weekly wage and greater than could be expected with a shorter training program. (16) An eligible worker is entitled to four months of direct employment services after completion of training. (17) When the worker returns to work following training, the insurer must monitor the worker’s progress for at least 60 days to assure the suitability of the employment before ending eligibility. (18) If the worker chooses a training plan period longer than the worker is entitled to receive under these rules, the worker may supplement training provided by the insurer by completing self-sponsored training or studies. For the purpose of this rule, self-sponsored means the worker is obligated to pay for the training. (a) The first day of training provided by the insurer will be considered the training start date and the last day of training provided by the insurer will be the training end date. (b) All self-sponsored training must be completed before the training start date unless the parties otherwise agree. (c) During self-sponsored training, the insurer may provide optional services under OAR 436-120-0187, including but not limited to payment of expenses for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. (d) The training plan support document must describe how the worker-sponsored training and the training provided by the insurer will combine to prepare the worker for suitable employment. (19) The insurer must provide further training to a worker if the initial plan will not be or was not successful to prepare the worker for suitable employment. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 656.340(9) & ORS 656.726(4) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 656.262 & ORS 656.340 History: WCD 15-2024, amend filed 06/07/2024, effective 07/01/2024 WCD 14-2022, amend filed 12/20/2022, effective 01/01/2024 WCD 4-2022, amend filed 06/13/2022, effective 07/01/2022 WCD 4-2016, f. 11-28-16, cert. ef. 1-1-17 WCD 9-2013, f. 11-12-13, cert. ef. 1-1-14 WCD 5-2012, f. 10-3-12, cert. ef. 11-1-12 WCD 5-2010, f. 9-15-10, cert. ef. 11-15-10 WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10, Renumbered from 436-120-0440 WCD 8-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 12-1-07 WCD 6-2005, f. 6-9-05, cert. ef. 7-1-05 WCD 7-2002, f. 5-30-02, cert. ef. 7-1-02 WCD 4-2001, f. 4-13-01, cert. ef. 5-15-01 WCD 6-2000, f. 4-27-00, cert. ef. 6-1-00, Renumbered from 436-120-0450 & 436-120-0460 WCD 10-1994, f. 11-1-94, cert. ef. 1-1-95, Renumbered from 436-120-0075 & 436-120-0085 WCD 11-1987, f. 12-17-87, cert. ef. 1-1-88, Renumbered from 436-120-0030 WCD 7-1985, f. 12-12-85, cert. ef. 1-1-86 WCD 5-1983, f. 12-14-83, cert. ef. 1-1-84; 5-1-85, Renumbered from 436-061-0060 WCD 2-1983, f. & cert. ef. 6-30-83 WCD 11-1982(Temp), f. 12-29-82, cert. ef. 1-1-83