Incumbent Workforce Development Training Program

North Carolina’s Incumbent Workforce Development Training Program (IWDP), funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA), was designed to help established North Carolina businesses provide training and education for current workers, which may result in improved employee productivity, reduced employee turnover and increased business competitiveness. The specific objectives of the IWDP include upgrading employee skills, increasing employee wages, providing training in portable (transferable) skills and promoting business retention and competitiveness efforts.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

North Carolina for-profit and not-for-profit businesses that have been in operation for a minimum of one year prior to the application date, are current on all federal and state tax obligations, and are financially viable are eligible to apply.

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

The following businesses are not eligible to apply for funds under this program:

• A business currently receiving training funds, either directly or indirectly, from North Carolina state government unless those training funds do not duplicate the training efforts outlined in the project application
• A business that has received funds either directly or indirectly from North Carolina state government under any previous training initiative, and the terms of the agreement for training have not been met
• A training provider
• A Workforce Development Board or its administrative entity
• A labor union
• A government entity
• A company that has already met its lifetime limit, unless it is part of a collaborative grant application

WHAT KINDS OF TRAINING CAN BE FUNDED BY THE IWDP?

The following types of training can be funded:

• Occupational skills training designed to meet the special requirements of a business or a group of businesses and is conducted with employer commitment to continue to retain all trained individuals upon successful completion of the training
• Educational training including, but not limited to, workplace literacy, basic skills, soft skills, and English as a second language
• Training in strategies to improve efficiency of business operations

An applicant must demonstrate the effect of the proposed training on business operations and identify the transferable skills to be acquired by the employees.

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT FOR WHICH A BUSINESS CAN APPLY?

The maximum amount is $25,000 per grant, with a lifetime funding limit of $40,000.  The lifetime limit applies to the company, its parent company and subsidiaries.

FUNDING CYCLE
Applications are accepted January, May and September, if funding allows.

For complete guidelines, applications and to confirm deadlines, please contact:

Carisa Rudd, Business Services Coordinator
Turning Point WDB
(252) 443-6175 extension 200
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.