Frederick BusinessWORKS is an effort to support workers and increase both participants' and companies' competitiveness. This program offers funding support for incumbent worker training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA.) It is designed to ensure that employees of a company can acquire the skills necessary to retain employment and advance within a company, or to acquire skills necessary to avert a layoff.
Businesses that provide employee training may be eligible to receive reimbursement of 50% of the cost of training. Small businesses (fewer than 100 employees) in high-growth/high demand industries in Frederick County receive priority consideration for funding. The high-growth/high-demand industries are: • Manufacturing • Healthcare & Social Assistance • Professional/Scientific/Technical (Biotechnology, IT) • Construction/Trades • Transportation/Warehouse • Administrative & Business Support
Applications must clearly demonstrate how the training impacts competitiveness of the business, and the employees being trained and meet eligibility criteria.
Training criteria: Must meet one or more of the following: • Training results in an industry-recognized credential/license/skill that is attached to the individual, and is transferable to other businesses and industries. • Directly results in wage increase within 90 days of training completion • Results directly in promotion within the company • Is required for advancement within the company as part of a documented career pathway • Increase workplace literacy and/or English language acquisition • Training is part of a Registered Apprenticeship program • Training allows the company to avert a potential layoff
In addition: • The training needs and costs must be reasonable, necessary and clearly related to the purposes and activities of the business. • Training funds are only available to cover the cost of tuition and training materials. Travel costs, capital expenses, and business equipment are not reimbursable. • In general, training should be short-tern in nature (not exceeding 4 months in duration.)
Employee Criteria: Employees who receive training must meet all of the following criteria: • Full-time employees working at a Frederick, Maryland location. • Employees must be eligible to work in the United States and have completed an I-9 form at the time of hire. • Employees must be employed with the business for a minimum of six months. • Trainees funded with this program will be required to complete a profile in the Maryland Workforce Exchange (www.mwejobs.maryland.gov), provide a picture ID and salary verification. • Employees receiving a salary higher than $80,000 per year are only approved for funding when participating in a group training where a majority of participants fall below that salary.
Steps and process: • The business selects the most appropriate training vendor and identifies employees to be trained. • Complete applications are submitted to Frederick County Workforce Services a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of training start date. • FCWS will review and approve eligible applications. Reimbursement cannot be applied retroactively. • For approved training projects, FCWS verifies employee participant information and completes reimbursement agreement with the business. • For approved training projects, the business is required to pay the entire cost of training up front. • At the completion of training, business submits invoice and supporting documents for reimbursement. • FCWS will reimburse the business for 50 percent of the actual training costs. Reimbursement is provided after the training is complete and the business submits the required documentation within 45 days of training completion.
