In 2012, the State of Ohio, Department of Development of released the first round of the Ohio Incumbent Worker Training Voucher Program, which is funded by contributions from the Ohio casinos. The state made approximately $20 million dollars available for each of the three rounds of grants for targeted industries – manufacturing being one of them.
A fourth round is being contemplated, which will become available, if like the others, the end of September. At that time, the employer must have the grant application submitted to have a chance for approval since applications are on a “first come, first-served” basis as well as the merits of the training plan. With over 600 employers being approved each round, anyone submitting an application should plan to be near the front of the line to have serious consideration before all funds are obligated.
This is a reimbursement program. Therefore, once the employer applies and is accepted, the employer completes the approved training and submits the receipts and rosters to the OH IWT. The employer will be reimbursed for 50% of the cost. If the proposed training isn’t held and no cost incurred the employer simply, the employer has nothing to submit and there is no obligation to carry out the training – in full or in part – or penalty if economic conditions change. Although the Round 4 information is not available yet, you can review the 2014 guidelines by visiting the state’s IWT website at http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_busgrantsloans.htm.
This is, by far, the easiest grant money to use and the reimbursement paperwork, once set up, is relatively easy to submit. Still, Proactive Technologies, Inc. has assisted client-companies to successfully design a project, apply for the grant, manage the project, document the completed training and to receive reimbursements for almost $2,000,000 in projects in just the last 2 years alone! These funds have been greatly appreciated by employers wanting to up-skill their workers and the reimbursement substantially lessened their initial out-of-pocket investment.
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