1. Demand-Driven Workforce Development Initiatives
March 2017

2. 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

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Contact Information
Apprenticeship Programs: or
Veterans Services: or
CT Hires Assistance: or
Step Up programs: for list of regional representatives
Office of Research: or
Business Services Specialists
Bridgeport region: (203) Hartford region: (860)
New London region: (860) New Haven region: (203) Waterbury region: (203)