Initiatives

Workforce Advancement Training Grants

Through workforce training, Wisconsin’s technical colleges provide the state’s workers and employers with the competitive edge they need to be successful in today’s global economy. Wisconsin’s Workforce Advancement Training Grants promote increased investment in the development of incumbent workers and expand technical college training services to help businesses and industry meet their training needs.

Funding available through this program enables technical colleges to offer targeted job training for the current workforce. This training is designed to upgrade the skills and productivity of employees of established, for-profit businesses and industries operating in Wisconsin to support regional workforce and economic development efforts.

During the first two years of operations, the Workforce Advancement Training Grant program has provided $2 million for more than 90 employers to train nearly 12,000 incumbent workers across the state.

When asked about their experience with the program in its first year of operations, 100% of the employers who participated in the program indicated that the customized training improved employee skills. On other key indicators, these employers reported:

• Employer satisfaction with the program (97%)
• Improved work environment (89%)
• Cost savings to their operations (74%)
• Reductions in employee turnover (48%) and
• Planning to return to the technical college to meet future training needs (97%)

Like other customized training offered by your technical college, training can be designed to meet the specific needs of your workplace and provided either at the worksite or on campus. To find out more about Workforce Advancement Training Grants and other customized training available at your local technical college, contact your college economic development contact.