Labor Training Programs

Business Employees’ Skills Training (BEST) Program: Established by the Wisconsin Legislature to help small businesses in industries that are facing severe labor shortages to upgrade the skill of their workforce.  Under the BEST program, the Department of Commerce can provide applicants with a tuition reimbursement grant to help cover a portion of the costs associated with training employees.  For more information, visit: www.commerce.wi.gov

Customized Labor Training (CLT) Fund: Assists businesses that are implementing new technology or manufacturing processes by providing a grant of up to 50% of the cost of customized training.  The primary goal of the CLT is to help Wisconsin manufacturers maintain a workforce that is on the cutting edge of technological innovation.  For more information, visit: www.commerce.wi.gov

Entrepreneurial Training Grant (ETG): Provides funding for entrepreneurs to attend a course focused on determining the viability of their business.  The Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is offered through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).  The program is an 8 to 12 week course that provides assistance with business plan development.  Coursework addresses legal and financial issues, staffing, accounting, recordkeeping and marketing.  In addition, individual counseling and coaching will help participants complete a business plan and prepare to request financing from banks, investors and public institutions.  Participants receive a grant to cover 75% of eligible tuition costs, and they are required to provide a cash match of at least 25% of the eligible tuition costs charged by the SBDC.  For more information, visit: www.wenportal.org

Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP): Created expressly to help small and midsize manufacturers improve productivity and compete more effectively in the global marketplace.  WMEP is Wisconsin’s market leader in providing high-quality, high impact solutions that deliver bottom-line improvements for manufacturers.  With years of manufacturing experience, their expert staff apply effective business and manufacturing solutions that deliver measurable results.  They stay with companies through project implementation, to ensure they learn the techniques to maintain the results.  For more information, visit: www.wmep.org

Workforce Advancement Training (WAT) Grants: Enables Wisconsin’s for profit businesses increased access to training opportunities through the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).  The grants promote increased investment in the development of incumbent works in order to improve Wisconsin businesses’ productivity and competitiveness.  Applications for WAT funding are facilitated through the local Technical College.  For more information, email laurie.radke@nwtc.eduor visit: www.wtcsystem.edu/initiatives/econ_dev

For additional information,visit:http://corporatetraining.nwtc.edu/