Beginning January 7, 2013, the State of Ohio will begin taking applications for workforce training grants.  The program is called the “Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program.”

The goal of the grants is to improve the job skills of currently employed workers.  The following is a press release issued by the state:

“A robust, motivated, well-educated, and highly trained workforce is critical for the retention and expansion of all businesses in Ohio.  In their efforts to improve their economic competitiveness, employers must find ways to consistently upgrade the skills of their workforce through educational and training opportunities.  To this end, the Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program will fill a gap in current workforce development programs by providing needed training dollars to Ohio’s incumbent workforce through a unique public-private partnership.  The ultimate goal of this program is twofold:  allow employers to retain and grow their existing Ohio workforce and create a statewide workforce that can meet the present and future demands in an ever changing economy.

This employer-driven program is targeted to provide direct financial assistance to train workers and improve the economic competitiveness of Ohio’s employers.  The program is designed to offset a portion of the employer’s costs to upgrade the skills of its incumbent workforce and will provide reimbursement to eligible employers for specific training costs accrued during training. The program’s funding will be used in conjunction with private contributions to fund skill-upgrade training.  Eligible employers must demonstrate that by receiving funding assistance through the Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program their business will not only obtain a skilled workforce but will improve their company processes and competitiveness.”

To learn more about this program visit http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_wtvp.htm.