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Employee Training Grants

Strengthen your workforce by upskilling current employees.

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Eligibility
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Enhance your workforce

WorkForce Central’s Employee Training Grants helps Pierce County businesses retain skilled workers, improve productivity, and avert layoffs by supporting employee training.

Employers receive funding to cover training costs, while contributing a required match amount based on their company size.

Enhance the skills of your workforce

Boost productivity

Ensure long-term competitiveness

How it works

1

Submit Application

Complete our short online application. You’ll provide company details, training plan, provider information, and budget. 

2

Review & Selection

A committee reviews applications based on training quality, alignment with business needs, competitive outcomes, and cost reasonableness. 

3

Agreement & Documentation

If approved, you’ll sign an agreement, employees will complete all necessary forms, and you’ll submit required documentation (employee roster, FLSA compliance form, proof of eligibility).

4

Training Delivery

Your employees participate in training through an external provider or in-house trainer. 

5

Completion & Reporting

After training, provide certificates, proof of expenses, and outcome information. 

6

Reimbursement / Payment

WorkForce Central reimburses the employer for eligible costs or pays the training provider directly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Employee Training Grant program?

It’s a WIOA-funded program that helps Pierce County businesses invest in their current workforce. Employers can receive funding to cover a portion of training costs while contributing a required employer match. The goal is to improve employee skills, boost productivity, and avert layoffs.

Who is eligible to apply?

Pierce County businesses that:

  • Are financially viable and current on federal/state taxes, UI, and workers’ comp, and
  • Have not laid off workers within 120 days to relocate to Washington.

Eligibility

To qualify for this program, both the employer and employee must meet certain eligibility requirements.

Employee Eligibility Requirements

  • Be full-time, paid employees (32+ hours/week)
  • Meet the Fair Labor Standards Act for an employer-employee relationship
  • Be age 18 or older
  • Be authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Have an established employment history of at least 6 months (if cohort training, 51% or more of the employees taking training must meet the 6-month employment history requirement)
  • Complete the digital employee participant form and create an account on WorkSourceWA.com

Employer Eligibility Requirements

  • Be located in Pierce County
  • Have operated for at least 1 year
  • Be current on all federal/state taxes, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation obligations
  • Not have laid off workers within 120 days to relocate to Washington State
  • Commit to the required employer match
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