The Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants provides sustainable, short- and medium-term training and place workers in positions that offer trainees long-term professional growth and economic opportunity.
Donor Name: Wisconsin Fast Forward
State: Wisconsin
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 04/15/2022
Size of the Grant: $5,000 to $400,000
Grant Duration: 2 years
Details:
The objective of the Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) standard grant program is to award funds to businesses from all Wisconsin industry sectors that reimburse the costs of customized occupational training for unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers. The customized, business-driven training will qualify workers for full-time employment, higher-level employment, or increased wages.
This grant opportunity is for employers who can demonstrate a critical need for skilled workers and are seeking training grants to develop and implement a business-led skills training program. A skilled workforce is vital to economic development and community growth in Wisconsin.
The long-term goal of the Wisconsin Fast Forward Industry Sectors worker training grant program is to encourage statewide economic growth by assisting employers to train workers and fill positions, as well as to ensure meaningful economic advancement for trainees. This will be accomplished by partnering with employers, local or regional economic development organizations, workforce development boards, post-secondary institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private training providers. It is anticipated that the relationships developed through Wisconsin Fast Forward-funded training programs will continue to flourish after the grant has ended.
Funding Information
- Grant awards range from $5,000 to $400,000 per grantee.
- The training project period can be up to two years.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications must propose a workforce training program that:
- Includes at least one employer (employment placement partner) with a presence in Wisconsin and has trainees based out of the Wisconsin location.
- Meets documented needs of employers for skilled workers.
- Does not replace existing, routine, ongoing training, or any training that was previously funded by other sources.
- Secures and documents commitments for 50 cents on the dollar with cash and/or in-kind match to the project.
- Supports training projects comprised of one or more courses, each lasting no longer than 12 months.
- Provides transferrable skills and/or leads to industry-recognized credentials.
- Successful trainee completion results in:
- Hiring unemployed workers to fill vacant or new positions,
- Improving employment for underemployed workers (seasonal to temporary/permanent or part-time to full-time), or
- Obtaining higher wages, more hours, and/or more permanent employment by incumbent employees.
Eligible applicants include the following:
- A public agency,
- A private organization,
- A coalition or partnership of entities under the auspices of a public agency or a private organization, or
- The tribal governing body of a federally recognized tribe or band of Native Americans, or an organization appointed by the tribal governing body.
For more information, visit Standard Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants.
