The document provides information about Massachusetts' Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP), which awards grants to businesses for training programs to promote job growth, increase wages, and improve business competitiveness. It describes the different grant opportunities available, including Express Grants for small businesses, Direct Access pre-approved courses, and larger General Grants. Eligibility requirements, application processes, and examples of businesses that benefited from WTFP grants are also summarized.

1. © 2015 Commonwealth Corporation 1
Workforce Training Fund Program
Training Grant Opportunities for
Massachusetts Businesses
Kristen ONeil Rayne
Outreach Manager, Workforce Training Fund
Program
Commonwealth Corporation
2 Oliver Street - 5th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
www.commcorp.org

2. © 2015 Commonwealth Corporation 2
History of the WTFP
• Since 1999 the WTFP has provided businesses with the resources
to invest in the Massachusetts workforce, to improve employee
skills, and maintain the economic strength and viability of the
Commonwealth’s businesses.
• The WTFP awards grants to businesses for training to:
 Promote job growth, job retention, or increased wages
 Improve business productivity, competitiveness, and ability
to do business in Massachusetts
• In FY 2016 the WTFP awarded more than $20 million to more than
500 businesses to train more than 16,000 workers.

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How is the WTFP Funded?
• The WTFP is funded by Massachusetts employers via a
surcharge on Unemployment Insurance (UI) payments.
• $8.40 per employee annual WTFP contribution.
• The trust collects $18-22M annually for incumbent
worker training grants.
• WTFP is administered by Commonwealth Corporation,
an agency of the Executive Office of Labor and
Workforce Development.

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Grants Currently Available
Express Program
• Companies w/ 100 or fewer employees in Massachusetts
• $3K per employee per course, up to $30K per company for ‘off the shelf’ training
Direct Access Program
 Companies of any size
 Free training in pre-approved courses, without applying for a grant
General Program
 Companies of any size
 Up to $250,000 for two-year, customized training plans

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Eligibility Requirements
• Applicants must contribute to the fund through
UI payments:
Eligible
• All for-profit companies
• Non-profits who make
quarterly UI payments
using a ‘contributory
method’ (regardless of
claims)
Not Eligible
• Federal, State, or
municipal government
entities
• Non-profits who make
UI payments using the
‘reimbursable method’
(i.e. self-insured)

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Eligibility Requirements
• Only companies with W2 payroll employees in
Massachusetts are eligible
• Company must submit a Certificate of Good Standing
from the Dept. of Revenue and be compliant with
obligations to all State agencies including:
• Department of Unemployment Assistance
• Department of Industrial Accidents
• Office of the Attorney General
• Company may not be debarred from doing business
with the State or Federal government

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Express Program
• Companies with 100 or fewer employees in Massachusetts
• May choose from over 10,000 registered courses
• Grants pays 50% of total costs
– Up to $3K per person, per course
– Up to $30K per year, per company
• Training must be completed within 2 years
Limitations
• Training must be work-related, and course must be completed
• Mandated training such as OSHA is prohibited
• Applications must be complete at least 6 weeks prior to the start of training
APPLY APPROVAL
ENROLL
TRAINEES
COMPLETE
TRAINING
PAY PROVIDER
SUBMIT FOR 50%
REIMBURSEMENT

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Express Program Common Topics
• Process Improvement / Lean Manufacturing
• Sales Training
• Customer Service Training
• Leadership, Management, and Supervisory Skills
• Project Management
• Quality Assurance (ISO 9001, AS 9100, etc.)
• Software Training
• Training for Professional Certification:
– IPC Certification (Soldering, Circuit Boards, Wiring, etc.)
– Project Management Professional (PMP)
– Network Administrator

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Direct Access Program
• Provides free access to pre-approved courses on popular topics
• Grants are awarded to training providers to cover all training fees
• No grant application is required
• Contact training provider directly to confirm eligibility
• 85 courses are available from 10 pre-approved providers
• Availability and enrollment deadlines are determined by training providers
For courses and enrollment information:
• Process Improvement
• Computer Skills
• Supervisory Skills
• Manufacturing Skills
Topics Include:

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• Bristol Community College (BCC)
• Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MMEP)
• Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP)
• National Training Associates (NTA)
• American Graphics Institute
• Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston
• Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation
• Associate Industries of Massachusetts (AIM)
• North Shore Community College (NSCC)
• Center for Manufacturing Technology (CMT)
NOTE: New providers to be announced in NOVEMBER
Direct Access Providers

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General Program Training Grants
• Companies of any size may receive grants of up to
$250,000 to deliver customized training to incumbent
employees
• Companies must match grant funds $1-to-$1 with
training-related expenses including trainees’ wages
during training hours
• Training may last up to 2 years
Rolling Application Process
• Applications may be submitted at any time
• New grants are awarded monthly
• Decisions are made within 60 days

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Whether a grant will…
• increase the skills of low‐wage, low‐skilled workers;
• create or preserve jobs;
• provide a positive economic impact on a region with high levels
of unemployment;
• include a significant private investment in training;
• supplement, rather than replace, private investment in training;
• provide training for jobs that could otherwise be filled only by
residents of other nations;
Whether the employer is…
• a small business;
• has recently or plans to locate its business in the
Commonwealth.
Priorities
Include:
Adult Basic
Education (ABE)
Remediation
English for
Speakers of
Other Languages
(ESOL)
Minority or
Women-Owned
Enterprises
Consortium
Applications
Selection Criteria Include

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Need for Training
(business goals or problems to
be addressed)
Training Plan
(clear description of training
proposed and related
expenses)
Success Metrics
(quantifiable indicators used to
indicate progress towards
stated goals)
General Program Application
To apply visit:

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General Program Grant
• New grants are awarded monthly
• Applicants may reapply after receiving detailed findings
• Once approved grant recipients will…
– execute a 2 year contract
– receive the first 25% of the grant amount
– provide quarterly reports of training activity
– document grant-related expenses
– submit a final report of outcomes/close out

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General Grant Case Study

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Con-Test Analytical Lab (Filli)
Con-Test is an environmental testing laboratory based in
Longmeadow, MA that provides analytical testing services
for construction sites, universities, government agencies,
engineers etc.
The company tests soil, water and air samples for
environmental contaminants based on EPA methods and
regulations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZWDhCSt868&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
ZWDhCSt868&feature=youtu.be

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Con-Test Analytical Lab.
Objective
• Con-test has experienced steady growth, and wants to prepare for
future growth to remain competitive.
• Goals: Increase productivity and efficiency, reduce errors, improve
turnaround time, improve customer satisfaction.
Strategy
• Leadership Training for Managers, Customer Service Training,
Project Management Skills, Industry specific training from Agilent
Tech. including Macro Programming, ChemStation Data Analysis etc
Results
• In first training year, company has grown from 94 FTE to 104 FTE’s
• Revenue goal is on target to achieve 10% growth by end of grant
• Wage increases 6.5% due to promotions

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Consortiums
• General Program grants may be awarded to a
consortium of multiple companies with similar training
needs.
• Consortium grants may be led by:
– individual companies
– labor organizations
– workforce investment boards
– community colleges
– chambers of commerce or business associations
• Up to 10% allowance for grant administration costs.
• Technical Assistance grants of $10K are available for
planning the consortium, needs assessment etc.

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Hear what people are saying….
“Someone may claim to have 20 years of experience, but it could be
one year repeated 20 times. If there is no training, they haven’t
learned anything new. I want to create a learning organization.”
---CEO and Owner, Arwood Machine Corp
“I was always interested in statistics and measures but was flying by
the seat of my pants. Now, because of the green belt training, I have
the proper tools and can uncover the real data to support decisions
and improvements.”
---Production Manager, Hub Pen Company

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Contact Information
Kristen ONeil Rayne
Outreach Manager, Workforce Training Fund Program
(617) 717-6915
krayne@commcorp.org
wtfp@commcorp.org
@MassWTFP