ANNOUNCEMENT OF INCUMBENT WORKER TRAINING (IWT) FUNDS

Funds are available through the Workforce Investment Act to train currently employed workers. The Upper Savannah Area, which consists of Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda Counties, was awarded $159,400 to contract with area businesses.

Because funding is limited, a panel from the Upper Savannah Workforce Development Board will rate applications based on the cost-effectiveness of the investment. Priority for funding will be given to 1) Businesses whose applications represent a significant upgrade in employee skills and/or employee wage increases as a result of training, 2) Businesses whose training applications reflect a significant layoff avoidance strategy and provide retention opportunities, and 3) Businesses/Business Sites who have not received an Incumbent Worker Training Program award during the prior or current program year.

Businesses should note that this year funding will be limited to $15,000 per business and businesses must provide a matching contribution determined by the number of employees of the company. Training must begin no later than September 17, 2008 and end no later than June 13, 2009.

Upper Savannah Council of Governments will contract with the selected business(es) to write an agreement for incumbent worker training. Costs will be reimbursed after the business provides the training services specified in the contract. Reimbursable training expenses include instructor's/trainers' salaries, curriculum development, textbooks/manuals, and materials/supplies.

Enclosed in the Grant Announcement is the following information:
* Incumbent Worker Training Program Guidelines and Application
* A sample IWT Trainee Information Form (completed if awarded grant)
* A sample IWT Expenditure Form (completed if awarded grant).

Upper Savannah Council of Governments must receive applications by noon, Friday, June 13, 2008. Applications received after noon, June 13, 2008 will not be considered for funding. A question and answer session regarding the Incumbent Worker Training Program grant application process will be held at 8:45 am on Friday, May 30, 2008, in the Upper Savannah Council of Governments conference room, 222 Phoenix Street, Suite 200, Greenwood, SC.

To request an electronic copy of the application, contact Upper Savannah workforce staff at (864) 941-8050 or adowell@uppersavannah.com.

IWT Application (.doc)
IWT Application (.pdf)
Guidelines
Announcement
Sample Forms