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Deval L. Patrick, Governor,
Joanne F. Goldstein, Secretary Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Alice Sweeney, Director, Department of Career Services
WORKFORCE TRAINING FUND PROGRAM (WTFP)
INFORMATION SESSIONMichael Corcoran
Workforce Training Fund Program
Rev. 05-24-13
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1. WTFP Mission, Priorities, and Statute
2. WTFP Compliance Requirements
3. Overview of Workforce Training Fund Programs
a) Hiring Incentive Training Grant (HITG)b) Express Programc) General Program
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To provide business and labor organizations funds for training initiatives
To upgrade the skills of Massachusetts workers To fund projects that:
◦ Promote job growth, job retention, or increased wages◦ Improve productivity, competitiveness, and ability to do
business in Massachusetts◦ Include employers who have made a commitment to
provide significant private investment in training during and after the grant
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Enacted by Massachusetts State Legislature in 1998 (MGL Chapter 29 Section 2RR)
First grants awarded April 1999 Funded by employer contributions - $8.40 per
employee per year collected with quarterly UI payments
Contributions are collected into a Trust Approximately $18M - $21M in collections each year Workers must be paid while in training
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Massachusetts companies are eligible as well as companies moving to Massachusetts
Department of Revenue Certificate of Good Standing required
Gubernatorially-appointed 9-member Advisory Board
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All companies must pay quarterly into Workforce Training Fund. Self insured companies are not eligible.
All trainees must be employed in Massachusetts All companies must be current with:
◦ Unemployment Insurance◦ Unemployment Health Insurance◦ Fair Share◦ Current Workers Compensation Coverage◦ Certificate of Good Standing
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All companies must have a current Massachusetts Department of Revenue Certificate of Good Standing (CoGS) issued within 6 months of application.
Applications are considered complete when a current and valid CoGS has been submitted (along with other application materials). Not having a current a CoGS will cause delays in the review and approval of your Workforce Training Fund application.
The CoGS must be issued from the Department of Revenue, NOT the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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Hiring Incentive Training Grant (HITG)◦ Hiring and training unemployed Mass residents and Mass veterans
◦ Maximum award $75,000 ($5000 per hire)◦ For companies of any size
Express Program Grant◦ Pre-approved, off-the-shelf training
◦ maximum award $30,000◦ For small companies of100 employees or fewer
General Program Grants◦ Training Grant and Consortium Grant
Customized Training Maximum award $250,000
Companies of any size
◦ Technical Assistance Grant Training needs assessments and training plan development
maximum award $25,000
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Program to encourage hiring Massachusetts residents who have been dislocated from the workforce
$5,000 grant award per eligible employee; payment after 120 days from date of hire (payroll documentation required)
Maximum award of $75,000 per calendar year ◦ Grantee may submit additional HITG applications for
eligible new hires throughout 12-month contract period The grant does not pay for mandated federal, state, or
municipal training or worker orientation Can use external training or in-house trainer
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Hired Employee must be a Massachusetts resident Eligible Trainees: Full-and Part Time Hires
Employees hired within 30 days of application Unemployed for a minimum of 6 months and has not
earned more than$6000 in gross earning within 6 month's prior to hire/ has not been employed by hiring company during the last 6 months prior to hire
Veterans (DD214) required / above criteria waived for veterans
Not Eligible: Temporary workers / Seasonal or Contract Workers High School students/Non- Massachusetts residents Company owner(full or Partial) relative of any owner
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Applications must be submitted within 30 days of eligible new hire. Applications consist of:
Online application and Pre-screening Form (must be submitted within 30 days of new hire)
Certificate of Good Standing (can be submitted after 30 days, however, application will not be approved without a current CoGS)
Applications are reviewed and approved within 5 – 10 days◦ Current Certificate of Good Standing and no compliance issues
required for approval 12 month calendar contract
HITG Website: http://www.mass.gov/wtfp/hitg
John Huynh/Commonwealth Corporation(617) 717-6912
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Program for small companies to quickly and easily access off-the-shelf training◦ Small business = businesses with 100 or fewer employees
Company chooses from a list of pre-approved courses on the WTFP website:◦ http://www.mass.gov/wtfp/express◦ Choose the “Training Provider Information” page, then click “Training Provider
Directory”◦ The Workforce Training Fund Program will not award an Express Program grant if
the employee participating in the course/training program has previously participated in the same or similar course/training program that was funded by the Express Program.
Maximum grant award of $30,000 per company per 24 months ◦ $3,000 per trainee per course limit◦ Businesses may submit additional applications for additional courses throughout 24-month
contract period up to award maximum ◦ Will not fund the same employee to take the same course multiple times◦ 12 month maximum training per course
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Must submit completed application at least six weeks before anticipated start date of training. Applications consist of:
Online application Applications are reviewed and approved approximately
10 days after submission. Application approval is contingent upon:◦ Submission of current and valid Certificate of Good Standing ◦ Applicant passes internal compliance check (DUA, DIA)
After course is completed and paid, company/grantee is reimbursed 50% of training cost /maximum of$3000
Express Program website: http://www.mass.gov/wtfp/express
Kara O’Donnell-Galvin 617 717 [email protected]
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Training Grants◦ For companies of any size to implement a customized training
program for incumbent workers◦ $250,000 maximum grant / Requires a 1:1 match for every
dollar requested company must have an in kind contribution◦ exception ESOL (English as a Second Language)allows 50/50
match◦ 2-year maximum training period◦ Companies may use training provider(s) of choice◦ Rolling Application Process
Applicants are notified of application within 90 days of application submission
◦ Application documents found online◦ Waiting Time between General Program Grant is 1 year
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Training Grant Application Materials◦ General Program Training Grant Application (pdf)
◦ Consortium Partner Supplemental Form
◦ Training Module Details and Budget Narrative (Excel)◦ Return on Investment (ROI) Statement◦ Financial Statements◦ Certificate of Good Standing◦ Union letter of support (for unionized companies)
General Program Application Workshop◦ 3 hour comprehensive review of the General Program
Application for companies ready to apply for or are working on an application for submission
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Consortium Grants◦Training involving multiple businesses with
similar training needs◦$250,000 maximum◦Two-year training duration
Technical Assistance Grants◦Assessment of workers skills deficiencies and
development of skills-based training plan◦$25,000 maximum◦12 month maximum grant
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Workforce Training Fund Program Administration
Commonwealth Corporation ◦ a quasi-public state agency, reviews,
administers and provides fiscal oversight to The Workforce Training Fund Program for all grants.
General Program website:http://www.mass.gov/wtfp/general
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Website: www.mass.gov/wtfpPhone: (800) 252-1591
Robert Duncan, Sr. Program Manager, Commonwealth Corporation
Tel: (617) 717-6927Email: [email protected] Program Information
Michael Corcoran, Outreach Coordinator DCS Tel: (617) 626-6426Cell: (857)753-3494
Email: [email protected]