What is SET?
Funding is available to help workers stay motivated and gain basic skills through Skill Enhancement Training (SET) while they heal and participate in vocational rehabilitation services.
Options for skill enhancement include:
- English language training (ESL);
- General education development (GED) or high school equivalency training;
- Adult Basic Education (ABE)
- Technology, software, and tutoring needed to effectively participate in ESL, GED, or ABE courses.
Eligible workers are those engaged in Vocational Recovery, Ability to Work Assessment, or Plan Development phases of vocational services.
Funds are available once per claim equal to 25% of the maximum funding available for vocational retraining defined in RCW 51.32.096(4)(d). Use of these funds for SET does not reduce funds that are available for a formal retraining plan.
Maximum allowable amount for SET, per claim
The maximum allowable amount for SET is adjusted each year based on the maximum retraining fund. Workers do benefit from the increase in allowable amounts.
| Date | Maximum vocational retraining fund | Maximum allowable amount for SET (25%) |
| July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 | $20,602.66 | $5,150.66 |
| July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 | TBD |
Funds must be paid directly to training providers or to vendors to procure necessary equipment or assistance, and may not be paid directly to the worker.
Self-insured employers must pay for the costs of SET for their injured workers independently from the Stay at Work fund that is used for state fund employers.
Knowledge and skills gained through SET may not be construed as acquisition of transferable skills and does not disqualify the injured worker from being found eligible for continued vocational rehabilitation services or retraining programs.
Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions (Coming Soon)
- Handout - What is SET?
- SET Webinar Slide Deck
Laws and Rules
Skill Enhancement Training (SET) is an incentive to keep workers engaged and motivated to return to work. However, workers are not automatically entitled to SET funds. Eligibility is based on a recommendation from the assigned vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC) and approval from the vocational services specialist (VSS) to ensure the proposed training is appropriate for the worker.
VRCs can use the SET guidelines to discuss options with workers, when appropriate. After exploring the options, the VRC will complete the SET application and Narrative Report for approval.