Alert

Compatibility Warning

The main WCB-Alberta website and its online applications use JavaScript technology and some cookies. Please ensure you have JavaScript and cookies enabled in your browser. Visit the help page for more information.

Click here to see an important notice
Workers Compensation Board Alberta Logo

-A A +A

WCB Procedures

  • Help
    • Searching for a procedure or within a procedure
  • 1 - Claim entitlement decisions
    • 1-1 Initial entitlement decision
    • 1-2 Initial entitlement decision - psychiatric or psychological injury
    • 1-3 Initial entitlement decision - hearing loss
    • 1-4 Benefits during a medical investigation
    • 1-5 Claim reopen (continuation or recurrence) decision
    • 1-6 Aggravation of a pre-existing condition decision
    • 1-7 Reconsider a previous decision (new evidence)
    • 1-8 Fitness-for-work decision
    • 1-9 Conflict of medical/psychologist opinion
    • 1-10 Additional entitlement decision
    • 1-16 Medical assistance in dying
  • 2 - Compensation rate setting and disbursements (payments)
    • 2-1 Rate setting
    • 2-6 Date-of-accident compensation
  • 3 - Return-to-work and care planning
    • 3-1 Modified work
    • 3-2 Collaborative care planning
    • 3-3 Duty to cooperate
    • 3-4 Egregious conduct
    • 3-5 Obligation to reinstate employment
    • 3-8 Medical panel
    • 3-9 Employer-requested medical examination
  • 4 - Medical benefits and services
    • 4-1 Medical testing, referrals and program support
    • 4-2 Community treatments
    • 4-3 Psychological counselling
    • 4-4 Orthotics and prosthetics
    • 4-5 Home health care
    • 4-6 Special services and equipment
    • 4-7 Opioid management
    • 4-8 Pharmacy direct billing and medication management
    • 4-9 Pharmaceutical cannabinoids and medical cannabis
    • 4-10 Externally-powered prosthetics
    • 4-11 Non-standard medical aid treatment decision
  • 5 - Claim-related expenses
    • 5-1 Travel and subsistence benefits
    • 5-2 Short-term home assistance
    • 5-5 Child and animal care
    • 5-6 Home and workplace modifications
    • 5-7 Vehicle modifications
    • 5-8 Initial hospitalization, treatment center and care facility benefits
    • 5-10 Special financial assistance
    • 5-13 Lump sum retirement (pre-retirement) benefit approval
  • 6- Permanent disability benefits
    • 6-1 Permanent clinical impairment
    • 6-2 Permanent total disability decision
    • 6-3 Advances and lump sum commutation requests
  • 7 - Re-employment benefits and services
    • 7-1 Triage assessment referral
    • 7-2 Supported job search
    • 7-4 Retraining programs
    • 7-5 Training on the job, train and place, or work assessment
    • 7-6 Designated public service employers
    • 7-7 Relocation assistance
    • 7-8 Alternate grants -retraining and self-employment
    • 7-9 Tools and equipment
  • 8 - Wage loss supplements
    • 8-1 Wage loss supplement (WLS) final approval
    • 8-2 Retroactive wage loss supplement final approval
    • 8-3 Temporary partial disability benefit (TPD) reviews
    • 8-4 Temporary economic loss (TEL) benefit reviews
    • 8-5 Economic loss payment (ELP) reviews
    • 8-6 Earnings loss supplement (ELS) reviews
  • 9 - Claim information, access and privacy
    • 9-4 Authorizations: worker and employer representatives
  • 10 - Client inquiries and incidents
    • 10-1 Client inquiry resolution
    • 10-2 Respectful communication
    • 10-3 Critical incidents
    • 10-4 Address a fairness inquiry
  • 11 - Claim and file administration
    • 11-1 Requesting medical reports
    • 11-2 Internal consultant referrals
    • 11-4 Translation and interpretation services
    • 11-5 Claim entitlement Investigation Unit referrals
    • 11- 8 Guardianship and trusteeship
  • 12 - Cost and entitlement adjustments
    • 12-1 Cost relief, cost transfer and cost reallocation
    • 12-3 Overpayments, cost corrections and payments on hold
  • 13 - Claim decision review and appeal
    • 13-1 Address a resolution submission or letter

Training on the job or work assessments - Archived Jan 1, 2025

Procedure summary

Published On

Aug 10, 2021
Purpose

To refer injured workers for services to assist them in exploring new job options when they can no longer return to their date-of-accident job or employer.

To determine entitlement and amount of wage loss benefits.

Description

The decision maker anticipates the need for re-employment services for their worker and, in most cases, refers the worker for a triage assessment. During the triage assessment, a re-employment specialist collaborates with the worker to assess their needs and then makes recommendations for the right re-employment services that would best suit the worker’s unique needs and circumstances.

The recommended services can range from basic “skilling up” services that focus on short term training options to enhance the worker's employability, to longer-term services such as job training and supported job search.

Throughout the re-employment process, the decision maker keeps in regular contact with the worker and re-employment specialist to monitor the worker’s progress and to offer additional assistance and support to the worker.

The decision maker makes every effort to support the worker in finding a job that maximizes their earning potential or matches what the worker earned at their date of accident job.

If the worker’s return-to-work options lead to lower earnings, the decision maker determines whether they may be entitled to an additional wage loss benefit. The wage loss benefit provides a top up between the worker’s estimated or actual earnings and their earnings at the time of their injury.

Key information

Decision makers can make a referral for a triage assessment while the worker is still in treatment.

The re-employment services triage assessment supports workers by focusing on the services they need and allows them to access training earlier so they stay focused and engaged in returning to work.

The assessment also supports decision makers by making recommendations for the services that will best support their workers' return to work. Changing jobs or careers can be a challenging time for an injured worker. The decision maker ensures the worker is engaged and plays an active role in each decision and step throughout their return-to-work journey.

While the decision maker assists the worker in finding a job, it is the re-employment specialist who assesses the worker and makes the recommendation for services based on the triage assessment results.

As of April 1, 2021, workers have a duty to cooperate in their return to work and vocational rehabilitation (re-employment). Cooperation means full participation and disclosure, as required, in those activities and services at each stage of a claim that are focused on supporting a worker’s recovery and return to work. The goal is to act in good faith to maximize recovery and achieve return to work, or independence for workers who are medically unable to return to work. There may be an impact to the worker’s benefits if they are not cooperating.

Training on the job program

A Training on the Job (TOJ) program is used as an incentive for a new employer to hire a worker. The cost of a TOJ is shared between WCB and the new employer. 

A TOJ provides workers with skill development and work experience they may need for permanent employment. It can also assist in determining their suitability for a specific job or skills area.

Employers can request workers through WCB, or a decision maker or a worker can present the opportunity to an employer with the assistance of an employment specialist. 

TOJs should be considered at any time during a claim for all workers who:

  • Are medically able to return to work, and
  • Cannot return to their pre-accident job due to compensable work restrictions.
Work Assessment
  • Work assessments (WA) are similar to TOJs but are offered to the worker’s date of accident employer to support the placement of the worker in a new position.
  • Work assessments are also available for new employers who are not covered under the Workers' Compensation Act or for out of province employers. The cost of the WA salary is shared between WCB and the WA employer.
    • Training on the job worker fact sheet [PDF, 0.06MB]
    • Training on the job employer fact sheet [PDF, 0.06MB]
    • Work assessment employer fact sheet [PDF, 0.05MB]

Detailed business procedure

Expand all

Collapse all

1. Ensure the TOJ/WA position is suitable for the worker

Call the worker to discuss the opportunity or arrange a conference call with both the worker and TOJ employer. Together, set expectations for the position and discuss and determine:

  • The job description
  • Salary
  • Hours of work per week
  • Start and end dates
  • Additional supports (e.g., work modifications, tools, clothing, fees, books, training costs).

Once all parties have agreed to the proposed terms of the TOJ details, approve the TOJ or send a proposal for approval.

Administrative tasks

Send a file note to a supervisor for approval if required.

TOJ and WAs that will last nine months or less can be initiated and approved by either the decision maker or the Re-employment specialist. Opportunities that will last longer than nine months require supervisor approval.

2. Communicate the approval decision to the worker and employer

Call the worker and employer to confirm approval of the TOJ/WA program and the terms previously agreed to during the initial conference call.

After the call, send a confirmation letter to the employer with a copy to the worker.

Administrative tasks

Send a TOJ/work assessment agreement (IN033A).

3. Adjust the worker’s wage loss for their new employment income

Review how much the worker’s expected TOJ/WA earnings to determine if there is a loss of earnings. If there is a loss of earnings implement a TPD based on actual earnings, follow the normal TPD approval process.

Administrative tasks

Edit the case planning line with the TOJ/WA information.

Add a file note requesting calculation of the worker’s monthly payment.

4. Continue to monitor the worker’s progress

Conduct a conference call with the worker and the employer every two weeks after the TOJ/WA position begins.

Discuss any issues or concerns the worker or employer may have and address them together. Ask the worker if they require additional training, workplace modifications or other assistance.

If there are no issues or concerns, forward the worker’s file to a case assistant for monthly follow up with the worker and employer until the end of TOJ.

Administrative tasks

Send a file note to a supervisor for approval if required.

5. Conclude the TOJ

Prior to the end of the TOJ term, contact the worker and employer to discuss whether an extension or permanent opportunity is available.

If the worker’s TOJ becomes permanent: Request the worker’s anticipated salary increases for the next five years from the employer and implement the appropriate wage loss supplement.

If the worker’s TOJ is extended: If the employer’s request for a TOJ extension is reasonable, approve the extension.

If the worker’s TOJ ends: Review the worker’s re-employment plan and job option to determine whether it is still appropriate or needs to be adjusted.

Refer the worker for another re-employment services triage assessment only if required.

Administrative tasks

If the total length of the TOJ including the extension will be longer than nine months, send the extension request for supervisor approval.

If the worker is entitled to a TPD payment during the TOJ, request and extension of the payment to support the TOJ extension.

If the TOJ/WA ends, send the TOJ worker conclusion letter (IN033G) and TOJ employer conclusion letter (IN033H) outlining next steps.

Supporting references

Policies

  • 04-01 Part I - Establishing Net Earnings
  • 04-02 Part I - Temporary Benefits
  • 04-01 Part II – Application 3 - Establishing Net Earnings
  • 04-02 Part II – Application 1 - General
  • 04-04 Part I - Permanent Disability
  • 04-04 Part II – Application 1 - Determining Impairment of Earning Capacity
  • 04-04 Part II – Application 3 - Economic Loss Payment - Dates of Accident on or after January 1, 2018
  • 04-04 Part II – Application 4- Economic Loss Payment - Dates of Accident from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2017, Inclusive
  • 04-04 Part II – Application 6 - Earnings Loss Supplements
  • 04-05 Part I - Return-to-Work Services
  • 04-05 Part II – Application 1 - General
  • 04-05 Part II – Application 5 – Job Search
  • 04-05 Part II – Application 6 - Training-on-the-Job Programs
  • 04-05 Part II – Application 7 – Training
  • 04-05 Part II – Application 8 - Relocation
  • 04-05 Part II – Application 9 – Self-Employment
  • 04-11 Part I – Duty To Cooperate
  • 04-11 Part II – Application 1 - Duty To Cooperate

Workers’ Compensation Act

Applicable Sections

  • Section 36 – Board entitlement to information
  • Sections 43 (1) (2) – Evaluation of a disability
  • Sections 56 – Compensation for disability
  • Sections 59 (1-3) – Cost of living adjustments
  • Section 63 – Determining impairment of earning capacity
  • Section 67 – Compensation to learner and apprentice
  • Section 70 (6) – Compensation for death
  • Section 89 (1-3) - Board to provide vocational and rehabilitation services

Workers' Compensation Regulation

Applicable Sections

Related Legislation

WCB logo image

Contact WCB-Alberta

Edmonton: 780-498-3999
Calgary: 403-517-6000

Toll free

Alberta: 1-866-922-9221
Canada wide: 1-800-661-9608

Copyright ©2023 The Workers' Compensation Board – Alberta. All rights reserved.