Wisconsin skilled worker training program offers employers grants of $5,000 to $400,000

MADISON, Wis. — Employers who can demonstrate a critical need for skilled workers can apply for Wisconsin Fast Forward training grants ranging from $5,000 to $400,000 to develop and initiate skills training programs.
The programs should be designed to provide sustainable, short- and medium-term training to help workers achieve long-term professional growth and economic opportunities, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, which announced the grant initiative Tuesday.
The training will help add new people to the workforce and increase wages for the trainees, the department said.
Growth in both areas will give workers greater purchasing power, making them better able to support local businesses, invest in their communities and create new and greater demand for goods and services, according to a department news release.
This approach maintains a strong environment for private-sector job creation in Wisconsin through continued growth and expansion, the DOR said.
Preference will be given to applicants who propose training underserved individuals, such as chronically unemployed economically disadvantaged individuals, including W-2 and FSET recipients, ex-offenders who have been the subject to any stage of the criminal justice process, people of color, people with disabilities and veterans.

Applications must include training programs developed to meet special requirements of employers’ industries.
The application deadline is 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.
Submit Proposals to: WisconsinFastForward@dwd.wisconsin.gov. More information about the grant program is available at the Fast Forward website.

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