Department of Workforce Development: Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants application deadline extended to March 31

Up to $3 million in available grants to support construction and small business worker training solutions

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) – Office of Skills Development (OSD) has extended application deadlines to March 31 for Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) Construction and Small Business Grant Program Announcements (GPAs). Up to $3 million in grant funding is available to Wisconsin employers with customized worker training solutions for construction and small business workers.

The OSD set Construction and Small Business GPAs based on a comprehensive analysis of pressing workforce needs that included skilled worker labor market employment projections and the immediate worker training needs of employers. GPA details follow:

Worker Training Grants for Construction:
Grant Funding Available: Up to $ 2 million
Individual Award Amount: $5,000 to $400,000
Grantee Match: $1 for every grant $1 requested
Application Deadline: March 31, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.

Worker Training Grants for Small Businesses (50 or fewer full-time employees):
Grant Funding Available: Up to $ 1 million Individual
Award Amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Grantee Match: $.50 for every grant $1 requested
Application Deadline: March 31, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.

The OSD has developed an effective process that enables businesses to easily apply for grants, ensuring that unemployed trainees are hired and incumbent trainees receive a pay raise. Funding is subject to state budget approval.

During the past four years, Governor Walker’s administration has invested over $200 million of state funding into workforce development, including $30 million in WFF grants to Wisconsin employers for customized skills training to fill current job openings and ongoing skill requirements. DWD has awarded over $18 million in WFF grant contracts to date, supporting nearly 200 worker training projects that are benefitting hundreds of businesses and thousands of workers across the state. View summaries of awarded grant projects here: http://www.wisconsinfastforward.com/reports.htm Apply for Construction and Small Business GPAs by accessing WFF online application tools here: http://www.wisconsinfastforward.com/wff_standard.htm