Finding and retaining capable employees is an integral part of the success of any business. Discover grants & programs available to help create and maintain the skilled workforce your business needs.
Available resources:
Frederick BusinessWORKS Grant Program
Overview: The program offers incumbent worker training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and is designed to ensure that employees of a company can acquire the skills necessary to retain employment and advance within a company or to acquire skills necessary to avert a layoff. Private sector (both for profit and non-profit) businesses located in Frederick are eligible to submit an application.
Benefits: Reimbursement of up to 50% of approved, actual training costs; funding limitations may apply
Process: Eligible businesses will develop training plans, select the most appropriate training vendor, and submit an application to access funds.
On-the-Job Training (OJT) Grants
Overview: On-the-Job funding helps to reduce the costs associated with training new employees where skilled, qualified workers are difficult to find. Employers must commit to hiring an employee and provide training/supervision. The hire may not be the result of a job loss of another employee for the reason of business relocation or in order to access OTJ funding for a new hire.
Benefits: Reimbursement of up to 50% of new trainee’s wages during the On-the-Job Training period to off-set the cost of providing training
Process: Interested businesses must submit an application prior to beginning the candidate selection process; candidates will be required to complete eligibility determination & registration with Frederick County Workforce Serves prior to employment
Partnership for Workforce Quality
Overview: The program provides matching grants and workforce training to employees at manufacturing and technology companies located in Maryland. Applicants should have a minimum of 10 full time employees. Eligible costs typically include curriculum development, course books & materials, and instructor salary & expenses. Training projects must be at least $20,000.
Benefits: Matching grant funds are used to reimburse up to 50% of the costs of qualified projects. Employers may not receive more than $200,000 per year from the program.
Process: To apply for PWQ funding, businesses should contact Tamar Osterman, Senior Business Development Representative, Frederick County, Maryland Department of Commerce at tamar.osterman@maryland.gov .
Maryland Business Works
Overview: This matching grant supports private sector businesses in building employee productivity, upgrading skillsets, and creating opportunities for expanding the existing workforce. Funds are primarily targeted to small businesses providing in-demand products or services. Allowable training costs include classroom based-training, in-house staff training, apprenticeships, instruction provided by consultants, GED preparation, books & training materials, and English Language Acquisition.
Benefits: A dollar-per-dollar match of eligible expenses, with a $4,500 training cap per specific trainee and a $40,000 cap per specific employer, per year
Process: Applications should be submitted at least three weeks prior to training
techfrederick’s ASPIRE Training (in partnership with EARN Maryland)
Overview: The ASPIRE Training Program is especially geared towards candidates who are unemployed or underemployed due to outdated skillsets. ASPIRE Training Program offers customized training tracks focused on critical occupations and skill shortages identified by people in the Frederick IT community.
Benefits: Free training and technical certifications to upgrade occupational skills and increase employability within the IT industry
Process: Current training openings for registration can be found on the techfrederick website
America’s Tech Connect
Overview: America's Promise Tech Connect is an accelerated, IT-focused education program funded by a Department of Labor grant. The program is intended for qualified candidates unable to afford the upfront costs of higher education. The program includes three different subject “tracks”: Network Technicians, IT User Support Specialists, Health IT & Management Systems Technicians.
Benefits: Tech Connect pays for the student’s full class tuition.
Process: Applicants that met the eligibility requirements may apply online.
Maryland’s Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit
Overview: The Maryland Apprenticeship Tax Credit provides a State income tax credit to Registered Apprenticeship sponsors or participating employers which hire an eligible registered apprentice.
Benefits: The employer may qualify for a $1,000 tax credit for each eligible Registered Apprentice.
Process: Employers that wish to claim this tax credit must have registered and been approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training council prior to applying for tax credit certification.