New customized training grants available for employed workers.

The Orange County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) is accepting proposals for grants for Employed Worker Skills Upgrade Customized Training:

• Proposals will be accepted from April 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.
• There is an initial allocation of $200,000 for these proposals.
• Maximum award amount will be $25,000.
• Employers will have to contribute a 50% match for these proposals (match can be a cash match, in-kind contribution, or a combination of the two.)
• Employee eligibility wage can be no higher than $20/hour.

Proposals should include:

• How this training will help the organization remain competitive and retain existing employees.
• How this training will avert potential lay-offs.
• How the training will upgrade workers skills and keep them competitive within the local labor market.
• How this training will improve the employers productivity, efficiency and profitability.
• Projected budget.
• Qualifications of project trainers.
• Clarity and specificity of the project narrative.

Training will need to commence no later than 60 days from approval of contract. If selected for funding, entities will have to submit appropriate proof of insurance including Certificate of Liability, Workers Compensation and Disability benefits.

Grant applicants should submit one (1) original and five (5) copies of their proposal to:

Orange County Workforce Investment Board
c/o Orange County Employment & Training Administration
18 Seward Avenue, Suite 103
Middletown, NY 10940
Attention: Stephen Knob, Director

Questions should be directed to the ETA office at (845) 615-3630.

To see the entire Request for Proposal, click here.