Employment Training Panel grants
Employment Training Panel grants are job training funds providing reimbursements for employee training costs. Grants range from $15/hour to $26/hour per employee, depending on the business size and type.
Since the Employment Training Panel program began in 1982, California employers have been reimbursed in excess of $1 billion for training workers in more than 80,000 businesses.
The Employment Training Panel is a state agency funded by California employers through a payroll tax. Businesses determine their own training needs and develop action plans for such training, which they submit through an application to the Employment Training Panel panel for review.
Applications may involve expansion of an existing training program or assistance in the implementation of a new program.
Acceptance of applications for the next round of Employment Training Panel funding will begin on May 1, 2015.
What types of training can be supplemented with Employment Training Panel funds?
- Training related to a wide range of skills, including computer, manufacturing, management, customer service, sales training, and general business
- Training conducted in classrooms and laboratories or via video conferencing or computers
- Specific trainer to trainee ratios must be met, ranging from 1:10 for advanced technology training, to 1:15 for new hire training, to 1:20 for general incumbent worker training
Does my business qualify for Employment Training Panel grants?
Most California businesses, regardless of size, qualify to receive Employment Training Panel funding if they meet one of the following core program criteria:
- They are subject to the Unemployment Insurance tax
- They face out of state competition
- They are part of a priority industry, which includes manufacturing, biotech/life science, IT services, media/entertainment, goods movement and transportation logistics, agriculture, healthcare, construction, and green technologies
If a business does not meet any of these criteria, it may apply to an Employment Training Panel special circumstances program.
Which employees can we receive funding for?
- Employees who work at least 35 hours a week can participate under an Employment Training Panel agreement; however, frontline workers typically make up the bulk of the training funding agreement.
- Employment Training Panel post-retention wage requirements must be met. This varies by county, ranging from $12/hour in high unemployment areas to $16+/hour in high cost areas.
How quickly are Employment Training Panel funds received?
- ETP funds are released as they are invoiced by the businesses, as follows:
- 25% of the average cost per trainee once the employee has completed minimum training requirements (eight hours)
- 50% of the average cost per trainee once the employee has completed training (up to 80 hours for small businesses and 200 hours for large businesses)
- 25% of the average cost per trainee once the employee has met the 90-day retention period
How can you take advantage of the Employment Training Panel program?
Contact Keith Brama at kbrama@romoincentivesgroup.com to assist in defining your training needs and to prepare an application for Employment Training Panel funding in time for the May 2015 application review.
For more information you are welcome to send an email to Keith Brama with Romo Incentives Group in El Dorado Hills, CA or call him Toll Free: 866 941-8383.