Training Funds Available for Central New York Employers

There are a variety of sources an employer may explore for funding assistance related to employee training. Some sources restrict funding to current employees, some to new employees, some by industry and some have no definition attached to funding.

A summary list of the various sources includes:

Federal www.doleta.gov

Funding opportunities through the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Agency are developed on an ongoing basis.

State www.workforcenewyork.org

Current funding opportunities from New York State Department of Labor

• Health Care Worker Training Program RFP Questions and Answers

• Health Care Worker Training Program RFP

• E-Learning Pilot Program

• Building Skills in New York State  ( BUSINYS) RFA #32-I and Application

• Building Skills in New York State  ( BUSINYS) RFA #32-I Q’s and A’s ( Updated 8/20/02)

Empire State Development www.empire.state.ny.us

Funding is available for those businesses moving into New York State, expanding their current operation, creating new products or improving their production.  ( Manufacturing and non-retail service businesses.)

Onondaga County www.ocida.org

Employee Productivity Program (EPP) Consists of a grant of up to $12,000 or 50% of the project cost for the purpose of employee training (through Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency.)

Manufacturers Association of Central New York www.macny.org 

May have funds available that apply to manufacturing businesses.

Metropolitan Development Association www.mda-cny.com  

May have funds available for a variety of improvement opportunities.

CNY Works and the Workforce Investment Board www.cnyworks.com

CNY Works administers Federal funding appropriated under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. Funding is available for assisting individual and businesses to maintain skills that make both populations successful in today’s economy.  WIA funding may be applied only after other sources of government funding have been exhausted.

Businesses may benefit directly from recruitment assistance, and On-The-Job Training (OJT) option for upgrading an employee’s work skills.  Customized training plans may be considered for existing employees.

Financial support is reviewed within the parameters of the current fiscal year funds available, the amount of the funds already obligated to finish existing contracts and a review of the training program being considered.  Funds are not available on an “up-front” basis.  They are used to reimburse a business for the wages of the employees participating in the OJT.