Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives March 2017 www.ctgov/dol

Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives $16 million available for training programs that can often be stacked, resulting in annual $100,000+ reimbursements to employers that need to train new/existing employees in the latest technologies. Programs include: Apprenticeship Programs - State Funded Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF) for Apprenticeship - Federally Funded American Apprenticeship Initiative Fund (AAI) State Funded Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF) for Incumbent Workers State Funded Subsidized Training and Employment Program (Step Up) Additional Incentives and Services

Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives Apprenticeship Programs With the current challenges employers face in filling their skills gap and talent shortages, apprenticeship programs provide great training options: Attracts new and more diverse talent Helps companies fill positions more quickly On-the-job learning provides customized training for employers/employees Offers quicker, debt-free route to a good career Increases skills of existing employees; creates employee training models PLUS: wage subsidies, tuition reimbursements and tax credits that can amount to more than $22,000 per apprentice!

Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives Manufacturing Innovation Fund – Apprenticeship Program On-the-job training combined with customized classroom instruction $7.8M training program in partnership with DECD Wage subsidies and tuition reimbursements: up to $13,000 for wages, $3,750 for tuition; $2,000 for credentialing costs 161 apprentices are served by 27 companies

Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives American Apprenticeship Initiative $5M federal grant to create apprenticeship pathways in healthcare, information technology, business services and manufacturing Tuition assistance up to $3,500 per Apprentice Goal: Raise technical skills of 1,000 apprentices, expand apprenticeship opportunities in non-traditional occupations, enhance skills of incumbent workers

Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives How Does Apprenticeship Work? Employers partner with CTDOL’s Office of Apprenticeship Training to develop on-the-job training (OJT) combined with related classroom instruction at the work site Apprentices earn a wage while learning, with wage progression as skills increase Under direction of a skilled employee, Apprentices receive minimum 2,000 hours of OJT training, including 144 hours yearly of related technical instruction (classroom or online) Apprentice (age 16 or older) follows an agreed-upon work schedule developed by the organization and CTDOL

Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives Manufacturing Innovation Fund – IWTP $7M training program in partnership with DECD Offers matching funds from $5,000 - $100,000 in training grants to keep companies competitive For small businesses with 2,000 employees or less; employers match grants dollar for dollar Eligible industries: aerospace, medical devices, composite materials, digital manufacturing 170 companies have been served to date

Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives State Incumbent Worker Training Program $700,000 annually to train current employees, impart new skills Matching funds for training that includes written/oral communications, math, science, or technical skills Focus companies: high-growth industries, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, finance, bioscience 38 employers companies have been served to date

Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives Subsidized Employment and Training Program (Step Up) Step Up wage/training incentives and Step Up for Veterans - for employers hiring an unemployed jobseeker - provides employers up to $12,500 over 6 months to help cover training costs Step Up for Apprentices - for employers hiring an apprentice - wage subsidies up to $10/hour for first 6 months Month 1 = 100% reimbursement Months 2 & 3 = 75% reimbursement Months 4 & 5 = 50% reimbursement Month 6 = 25% reimbursement Served: 1,441 companies and 4,871 jobseekers

Additional Incentives and Services Tax Credits Employer manufacturing tax credit for apprentices Veterans tax credits Work Opportunity Tax Credit CT Hires online employment service Free online job bank to post job openings; review posted résumés High visibility of your company to attract quality candidates

Additional Incentives and Services Business Services Specialists Offer customized business solutions for expansion, training, hiring Regional representatives come to your office and listen to your needs Veterans Representatives Help match employers with qualified veterans Veterans representatives come to your office and listen to your needs Office of Research Provides workforce data on economy, wages, employment statistics, job growth and projections to assist with strategic planning

Contact Information Apprenticeship Programs: www.ctapprenticeship.com or 860.263.6087 Veterans Services: www.ctvetjobs.com or 860.263.6514 CT Hires Assistance: www.cthires.com or 860.263.6040 Step Up programs: www.StepCT.com for list of regional representatives Office of Research: www.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi or 860.263.6255 Business Services Specialists Bridgeport region: (203)455.2601 Hartford region: (860)256.3699 New London region: (860)412.7021 New Haven region: (203)859.3303 Waterbury region: (203)437.3274