Coal and Electricity Transition Tuition Voucher

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Overview

Coal-fired electricity generation will be phased out by Dec 31, 2029.

As part of the Coal Workforce Transition Fund, the Coal and Electricity Transition Tuition (CETT) Voucher provides affected coal workers with a maximum of $12,000 to pursue post-secondary education to train for new careers.

Eligibility criteria

Beginning in February 2019, two types of employees are eligible for the CETT voucher.

If you work at one of the identified worksites, you are eligible for the CETT voucher if you have been employed for a year or more and:

The worksite is closing within the next five years, either permanently or temporarily (for conversion or mothballing). It is not a requirement that you are laid off.

You have received a formal written notice of layoff (regardless of whether the worksite is closing) on or after January 2, 2018.

In addition, a worker at a non-impacted worksite who has been bumped by a worker from an impacted worksite will also be deemed eligible for the CETT voucher provided they have been employed for at least one year.

You can use the voucher while receiving financial assistance from other programs, such as EI benefits, bridge to re-employment grant and student aid.

You're not eligible if you:

quit or were fired from your position
were in a contract position
are retiring
received bridge to retirement assistance

Eligible programs of study

The voucher can be used for any program at one of Alberta’s:

Eligible programs

full-time, part-time and open studies
online or in-person
apprenticeship technical training
pre-employment programs

Ineligible programs

private career college programs
out-of-country programs
out-of-province programs, except when not available in Alberta
any program not offered through public post-secondary institutions or First Nations Colleges

How it works

You have 5 years from the date you receive the voucher or your lay-off date (whichever is earlier) to use the full $12,000 maximum value of the voucher.

The money can be used up in a single year or spread over multiple years. The voucher is transferrable across eligible post-secondary institutions and programs.

The money will be paid directly to the post-secondary institution. Payments will not be made to individuals.

Eligible expenses

tuition
mandatory instructional and non-instructional fees

The voucher can also be used towards apprenticeship programs and services that have a fee and are offered directly by Apprenticeship and Industry Training with Advanced Education.

Ineligible expenses

application fees
books, equipment or supplies

Once a portion of the voucher is used, you’ll be notified of your remaining balance and will receive a T4A tax slip (the institution you attend will issue a T2202A tax slip used to calculate the tuition tax credit).

You’re responsible for tuition costs that exceed the value of the voucher.