I got the ball rolling by calling my State Unemployment Office information line and asking about W.I.A.(Workforce Investment Act) funding. My College told me about it. The only qualification to be a Displaced Worker is that you lose your job through no fault of your own (you weren't fired).

It's federal money, but here it's administered by the Cuyahoga County Department of Jobs & Family Services (Unemployment & Welfare). Now I'm not sure how this is working in other states, But here The United Labor Agency is working with the county. They facilitate a mandatory four day job displacement seminar, covering resume's, interviewing, etc.,and they also process the paperwork. They offer advanced/intensive resume, interviewing and negotiation skills workshops along with an open computer bank.

The tests are pretty standard - TABE; high school level intelligence test & CAPS/COPES/COPS; Career Occupational Preference System. There are also a couple of questionnaires, and you have to write a proposal stating which county approved educational program you are interested in, etc. They cover a pretty wide selection - standard Trade Schools, Community College & State College.