Workforce Board releases another $700K for worker re-training

THE GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE BOARD has released its next round of funding for 'incumbant worker training,' for companies to improve the productivity of their current workforce as well as position themselves to respond more effectively to changing market conditions. / PBN FILE PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS
THE GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE BOARD has released its next round of funding for 'incumbant worker training,' for companies to improve the productivity of their current workforce as well as position themselves to respond more effectively to changing market conditions. / PBN FILE PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

PROVIDENCE – The Governor’s Workforce Board has made available $700,000 to Rhode Island businesses for “incumbent worker training.” All Ocean State for-profit or nonprofit businesses that contribute to the Job Development Fund can apply for grants, which range in size from $5,000 to $40,000 and which must be matched by the company.
The request for proposals, released Monday, sets the timeline for the program, beginning with an information session to be held in Room 73-1 at 8:30 to 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 27, at the R.I. Department of Labor and Training at 1511 Pontiac Ave. in Cranston. To register for the session or to pose additional questions, firms should contact Dan Brown, at (401) 462-8823, or email him at dbrown@dlt.ri.gov.
The deadline for questions about the program is Monday, Feb. 10, with the final date for making applications is Tuesday, Feb. 18. Grants are expected to be announced on Friday, March 21, with the effective date of the program set to be Tuesday, April 1.
The incumbent worker training program is part of a number of initiatives supported by the employer-supported Job Development Fund, designed to help companies improve the job skills of their employees, and thus their productivity, as well as make the businesses more able to adapt to the rapid pace of change in the marketplace.
Three changes have been made for this round of the program:

  • Eligible employers of any size may apply for the maximum grant
  • Any eligible employer may apply for a grant, even those who are recipients of current annual or express incumbent worker training grants; if there are more qualified applications than there is money available to cover them, priority will be given to enterprises that do not have a current program grant
  • Recipient companies that provide a qualifying internship to a youth or unemployed person may receive bonus funding

The grants require that participating companies contribute at least 50 percent of the allowed training expenses identified in the application. Grant proposals for less than $5,000 may be submitted through the GWB’s Express Grant Program.
Potential applicants can view the program RFP by clicking HERE.

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