The Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) provides grants to help Massachusetts employers address business productivity and competitiveness by providing resources to businesses to fund training for current and newly hired employees. The Workforce Training Fund’s major focus is small to medium-sized businesses that would not be able to make an investment in improving employee skills without the assistance of the Fund.

Training Initiatives seeking grant funding should address the following priorities:

• Projects that will result in job retention, job growth, or increased wages.
• Projects where training would make a difference in the company’s productivity, competitiveness, and ability to do business in Massachusetts.

Grant Preparation by GBMP

If GBMP is the primary training provider, we will partner with your company to produce a successful Workforce Training Fund application. We can incorporate training that meets other needs within your company as well (e.g. Industry Specific Skills). Writing the grant will be a collaborative process and will include company review and sign-off prior to submission.

There are two programs to which businesses may apply:

General Program:

• Companies of any size may apply to either program if they contribute to the Mass Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Unemployment Insurance Fund and are able to acquire a Certificate of Good Standing from the Mass Dept. of Revenue.
• Previous General Program aware recipients will not be considered for a new grant until one year has elapsed from the close of a prior General Program training grant.
• Applications ranging from $10,000 to $125,000 are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
• All trainees must be paid at their regular pay rates during training hours.

Express Program: 

• Businesses with fewer than 50 employees are eligible to have the full cost of training reimbursed, up to $3,000/person /course and $15K total for the calendar year, through the Express Grant program. . Companies with between 51 and 100 employees will be reimbursed at 50 percent for training through the Express Program. We can help you go from application to action (grant award) in 21 days.

New Hampshire's Job Training Fund provides a 1:1 dollar match. GBMP has a strong relationship with the New Hampshire Community College system and can help clients find the appropriate funding stream and  get the funding  for their training projects through that partnership.  You can read more about New Hampshire's program here.

The Governor's Workforce Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program (IWTG) was created to provide grant funding for continuing education, training, and up-skilling of incumbent employees at existing RI employers.  The program provides matching reimbursement grants of up to 50% to employers which pay for pre-approved, direct, training-related costs. Grants are available up to $30,000 to encourage Rhode Island employers to invest in their workforce to enhance the overall competitiveness of the RI economy while delivering transferable skills to their employees which increases their -earning potential and employability. 

Training Provider Grants from the State of Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development provide up to 50% of the training costs for incumbent employee training to enhance the skills of the Vermont workforce & increase productivity of Vermont employers.  Applications are received and reviewed on a rolling basis with an average turnaround time of 18 days.  Priority is given to target economic sectors including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, clean energy innovation and forest products. 

The New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center offers federally-funded financial grants and guidance for businesses impacted by foreign trade. How do you know if your business qualifies for NETAAC assistance?

• Is your industry affected by import trade?
• Has your business experienced declines in sales and/or production?
• Have you reduced - or anticipate a reduction in - your workforce?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, NETACC can help you.