Contact: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/news.htm
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce
On Twitter: @WIWorkforce
Madison, Wisconsin – Effective July 1, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) opened two ongoing Grant Program Announcements (GPAs) benefitting Small Business Occupations and All Sectors under Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) initiative.
“This is an exciting time for Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Fast Forward program,” said DWD Secretary Ray Allen. “The open grant periods is a positive, employer-focused program change, enabling Wisconsin businesses and their partners to apply for grants as worker training needs arise.”
The ongoing GPAs reflect recent program enhancements to better address the training needs of Wisconsin businesses from a variety of industries and sectors. The changes provide more flexibility for businesses that may have training needs during specific times of the year, and support greater collaboration among employers to develop training projects in real time, rather than having wait for a grant cycle to open.
Wisconsin businesses and their workforce and economic development partners are encouraged to submit innovative, collaborative and customized WFF worker training grant proposals in accordance with application information. Details follow:
Worker Training Grants for Wisconsin Small Business Occupations:
Company size: 50 full-time employees or less
Individual award amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Match: $.50 for every grant $1 requested
Worker Training Grants for All Sectors in Wisconsin:
Company size: any
Individual award amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Match: $1 for every grant $1 requested
OSD will develop a weighted grant evaluation rubric to ensure that all reviewable grant proposals receive equal funding consideration.
The GPAs will remain open throughout the year with grant award announcements anticipated to occur within 60 days of the end of each quarter as follows:
Grant Submission:
January 1 – March 31
April 1 – June 30
July 1 – September 30
October 1 – December 31
Intent to Award On or Before:
May 31
August 30
November 30
February 28
During the past four years, Governor Walker’s administration has invested over $200 million in state funds for workforce development, including $30 million in WFF grants to Wisconsin employers for customized skills training to fill current job openings and ongoing skill requirements. DWD has awarded over $20 million in WFF grant contracts to date under multiple rounds and GPAs, supporting more than 200 worker training projects that are benefitting hundreds of businesses and thousands of workers across the state. View Grant Contract Summaries
Learn more about the WFF program and grant opportunities at: http://www.wisconsinfastforward.com/
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