The CMJTS Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP) is a business-driven program designed to provide direct financial assistance to train current employees to avert a layoff and/or improve the economic competitiveness of regional businesses. The program is intended to offset a portion, via reimbursement, of the businesses’ costs to train and upgrade the skills of its incumbent workers. Additionally, the program will provide reimbursement to eligible businesses for specific training costs accrued during the course of training. Eligible businesses must demonstrate that by receiving funding assistance through the program that their business will not only improve the skills of their workforce but also improve their business processes and competitiveness and decrease the risk of permanent layoffs.
What is an incumbent worker?
An incumbent worker is a person who is currently employed and could benefit themselves and their employer by upgrading their skills through educational and training opportunities. The training should give the employee the opportunity for advancement and wage gains within their company.
Who is an eligible employee for the Incumbent Worker Training Program?
An eligible employee is someone who is directly employed by the company at a facility located within Minnesota and meets the following requirements:
- Employee must be at least 18 years of age.
- Employee must work at least 32 hours per week.
- Employee must be committed to attendance at all trainings.
- Employee must earn an hourly wage above the state minimum wage.
- Employee must agree to cooperate with data collection requirements.
Who is an eligible business for the Incumbent Worker Training Program?
An eligible business must be located in Minnesota and must be registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office as a(n): association, corporation, LLC, partnership, nonprofit, government entity, including school districts, or sole proprietor. This entity must be in continuous operation for 18 months, immediately prior to the application submittal. Businesses are encouraged to provide training to a group of employees and not individual training, although the number of employees in the company will be taken into consideration. Companies that are in the process of a layoff are not eligible for the IWTP. If a layoff occurs in a company while they have an open IWTP grant, the current workers will be able to complete the training.
What is the employer’s responsibility?
The business must complete an Incumbent Worker Training Program application to be considered for a grant. Businesses will be required to provide a portion of the training costs dependent upon the size of the business and number of employees (e.g., instructors’ wages, curriculum development, and training manuals/textbooks) either through direct cost contribution or in-kind contribution.
Call or email now for more information (Program guidelines and application available for download below):
Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs & Pine Counties
Rebecca Perrotti
612.247.9319
rperrotti@cmjts.org
Sherburne & Wright Counties
Tim Zipoy
612.325.7791
tzipoy@cmjts.org
Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker & Renville Counties
Bridget Paulson
320.290.7685
bpaulson@cmjts.org