Deval L. Patrick, Governor ,

1. WORKFORCE TRAINING FUND PROGRAM (WTFP) INFORMATION SESSION Deval L. Patrick, Governor , Joanne F. Goldstein, Secretary Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Alice Sweeney, Director, Department of Career Services Michael Corcoran Workforce Training Fund Program Rev. 05-24-13

2. Overview • WTFP Mission, Priorities, and Statute • WTFP Compliance Requirements • Overview of Workforce Training Fund Programs • Hiring Incentive Training Grant (HITG) • Express Program • General Program

3. MISSION AND PRIORITIES • 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

4. WTFP HISTORY • 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

5. STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS • 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

6. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS • 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

7. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS • 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.

8. WTFP TRAINING GRANT PROGRAMS • 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

9. HIRING INCENTIVE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM (HITG) • 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

10. HIRING INCENTIVE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM (HITG) • 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

11. HIRING INCENTIVE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM (HITG) • 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 jhuynh@commcorp.org

12. EXPRESS PROGRAM • 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

13. EXPRESS PROGRAM • 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 6919 kogalvin@commcorp.org

14. GENERAL PROGRAM • 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

15. GENERAL PROGRAM • 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

16. GENERAL PROGRAM • 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

17. GENERAL PROGRAM • 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

18. WTFP Contact Information Website: www.mass.gov/wtfp Phone: (800) 252-1591 Robert Duncan, Sr. Program Manager, Commonwealth Corporation Tel: (617) 717-6927 Email: rduncan@commcorp.org General Program Information Michael Corcoran, Outreach Coordinator DCS Tel: (617) 626-6426 Cell: (857)753-3494 Email: mcorcoran@detma.org