David Augustinho, Ex. Dir., WIBFebruary 26, 2014

Orleans Chamber of Commerce

Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Program

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 Programd) Consortiume) Technical Assistance

Cape & Islands WIB

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

Cape & Islands WIB

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

Cape & Islands WIB

Massachusetts companies are eligible as well as companies moving to Massachusetts

Department of Revenue Certificate of Good Standing required with each grant

CGS good for 6 months

Gubernatorial-appointed 9-member Advisory Board

Cape & Islands WIB

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

Cape & Islands WIB

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.

Cape & Islands WIB

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 per calendar year◦ 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

Cape & Islands WIB

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 Can have HITG ,Express and General grants at same time

Cape & Islands WIB

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

Cape & Islands WIB

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 CGS

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

jhuynh@commcorp.org

Cape & Islands WIB

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 calendar year ◦ $3,000 per trainee per course limit◦ Businesses may submit additional applications for additional courses throughout the 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◦ Can have Express Grant, General Program Grant and Hiring Incentive Grant

simultaneously

Cape & Islands WIB

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 6919kogalvin@commcorp.orgCape & Islands WIB

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/ in or out of state

◦ Rolling Application Process Applicants are notified within 90 days of application submission

◦ Application documents found online◦ Waiting Time between General Program Grant is 1 year◦ Pending-- adding a second GP grant during an ongoing

GP grant Check web site for announcement and details

Cape & Islands WIB

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

Cape & Islands WIB

Technical Assistance Grants◦ Assessment of workers skills deficiencies and

development of skills-based training plan◦ $25,000 maximum 12 month maximum grant

Consortium Grants◦ Training involving multiple businesses with similar

training needs◦ $250,000 maximum/Two-year training duration◦ May have an Express Grant at same time◦ A General Grant while in a Consortium if receiving

less than a third of grant dollars/combined not to exceed $250,000

Cape & Islands WIB

Company Non-Profits

◦ Community College◦ Labor Organization◦ Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs)◦ Chambers of Commerce

Can a lead applicant be a training provider?◦ Yes, if lead applicant is a non-profit organization.

Can a private company that is also a training provider be a lead applicant? ◦ No

Cape & Islands WIB

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

Cape & Islands WIB

Website: www.mass.gov/wtfpPhone: (800) 252-1591

Robert Duncan, Sr. Program Manager, Commonwealth Corporation

Tel: (617) 717-6927Email: rduncan@commcorp.org

General Program InformationMichael Corcoran, Outreach Coordinator DCS

Tel: (617) 626-6426Cell: (857)753-3494

Email: mcorcoran@detma.org Express 617 717 6927

Kara O’ Donnell- Galvin/Comm. Corpkogalvin@commcorp.org

HITG/617 717 6927John Huynh/Comm. Corpjhuynh@commcorp.org

Cape & Islands WIB