Training Grants
For all intents and purposes, the best place to start looking for training grants is with the United States Government. The federal government developed a numerous initiatives that provide training grant programs to veterans, women, minorities, and young people.
The Veterans Employment Act of 2010 has four key provisions to assist veterans in their employment endeavors. These provisions are: A Veterans Business Center Program with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to assist entrepreneurial training and counseling; the expansion of the Post 9/11 GI Bill to include benefits being used for apprenticeship and worker training programs; creation of a pilot program for veterans to build on technical skills acquired during service for translation into the private sector; establishment of a Veterans Conservation Corps Grant Program and a Veterans Energy/Green Jobs Grant Program that connects veterans to jobs within the environmental field.
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), an agency within the Department of Labor, offers numerous training grants. The ETA serves to build the labor market through the training of the workforce with placement of individuals after the requisite skills have been acquired. Generally, these grants are not awarded to individuals. They are awarded to other entities: states, local government units, consortia of businesses with certain restrictions/requirements, and non-profits. The grants awarded by the ETA improve the education, training, and employment of any group in need of assistance. These groups include: the disabled, long-term unemployed, veterans, women and minorities. And this is by no means an exhaustive list, merely an overview.
States offer training grants as well. These grants are usually found by accessing the state’s workforce commission, and involve a partnership between businesses, community colleges, and other economic development partners. The state of Arizona, through its Arizona Commerce Authority, administers the Arizona Job Training Grants.
According to the state’s web page, “this job-specific reimbursable grant program supports the design and delivery of customized training to meet specific needs of employers, create new jobs and help increase the skill and wage levels of employees in Arizona.”
Overall, then, state training grants may be used by a business or a consortium of businesses or by a community college to develop job training needed in the state, or in a high growth industry.
What is a high growth industry? Again, the Department of Labor (DOL) determines the definition. Thus far, 20 industry types are identified. They include: advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, construction/skilled trades, energy, health care, homeland security, hospitality, information technology, law enforcement, and transportation to name a few.
Additionally, non-profit organizations involved in job training and placement are an excellent resource for training grants. Funds for such training grants may, in fact, be derived from the federal government grants or an agency at the state level. And, too, public charities may derive funds from foundations that support investment in a skilled workforce.
Training grants are highly sought, and very competitive! With the growing complexity of the global economy, and rapid technological advancements, training grants provide the resources to train employees in industries that offer advancement.