Tune in for our Virtual Apprenticeship Fair from 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 10. The fair will take place on Zoom.
Learn how being an apprentice can improve your marketable skills, or how hiring and training apprentices can benefit your business. You'll also find out about funding available to offset the training and education costs.
The WDTF is a unique Wyoming-based program connecting employers with professional development opportunities to increase employee skill attainment. These funding opportunities include:
The Apprenticeship State Expansion program
ASE is designed to educate, encourage, and scale up Registered Apprenticeship for businesses in Wyoming.
Pre-Obligation Grants
Work with local economic development organizations and training facilities to develop a program to create and train a skilled workforce for the jobs you require as you relocate to or expand your operations in Wyoming.
Businesses are eligible for up to $1,500/trainee and up to $300,000 with Wyoming's Pre-Obligation Grant.
Funding Limits
Funding limits for Business Training Grants are:
Apply below, or give us a call
If this is your first time walking through the process or if you have questions about a particular grant, we can help!
Only applications that meet grant eligibility requirements will be funded.
Select the type of grant you're interested in by clicking the appropriate tab above.
Business Training Grants
Business Training Grants can provide funds for established Wyoming businesses for employees who need a skill upgrade or need re-training in their current occupations. In order for training to be approved, the business must demonstrate the following:
Training will either correct an employee's skill deficiency or upgrade an employee's current skill level;
There is a direct relationship between the training and the trainee's occupation or craft;
The training is not normally provided by the business;
The business will not substitute funds normally provided for training or funds obtained from another source with Business Training Grant funds;
There is a need for the skill upgrade provided by the training for the business to remain competitive in the industry or economy; and
The skill upgraded provided by the training will:
Enhance the business's productivity, efficiency or profitability;
1. Your business must have accounts set up and be in good standing with the following entities BEFORE creating an account with Workforce Development Training Fund
Wyoming at Work - allow up to 5 business days for processing; however, if Workers' Compensation or Unemployment Insurance accounts are not set up, the Wyoming at Work verification process may take longer as these accounts are required to complete the Wyoming at Work account set up.
2. Create an account with Workforce Development Training Fund - Business Training Grants
Fill out the W-9 Form, attach banking documentation and mail via US Mail to WDTF:
Department of Workforce Services
Attn: WDTF
5221 Yellowstone Road
Cheyenne, WY 82002
NOTE: Only businesses registered as a vendor with the State Auditor's Office can receive payments from the Workforce Development Training Fund
Begin application process for Business Training Grants
Fill out and save your application. Be ready to submit when the application submit button is visible!
Application submit button will be visible on the first business day of the month at 9 a.m. Submission will remain open until funds have been exhausted for the month. NOTE: this could happen as quickly as within the hour or could remain open for multiple days depending on the volume of applications received.
The first date of training must be a minimum of 30 calendar days and no more than 110 calendar days from date of application submission.
5. WDTF Team reviews submitted applications
Applications are prioritized based on preferred industries as determined by the Wyoming Workforce Development Council.
Once an application is processed, WDTF Team will notify business if additional information is required, or if approved. NOTE: If the application is approved, the Department of Workforce Services will enter into a contract with the business. The contract is not fully executed until all signatures are obtained. No reimbursement will be made without a fully executed contract.
**Grant approval is NOT guaranteed and is based on availability of funds**
Pre-Hire Grants
These grants focus on creating a trained workforce for specific Wyoming industry. The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services recognizes the importance of an educated, skilled workforce in promoting Wyoming's economic growth. To foster this growth, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services assist employers with the Pre-Hire Grant Program.
The Pre-Hire Grant Program is available to train potential employees for a new or expanding business that is unable to recruit workers with a specific skill set. Applications are completed through a partnering of four entities that contribute separate needs or services to the program:
A training entity that can deliver the training, certificate or skills the business requires;
A business, group of businesses or an industry with a need for workers;
The local or regional economic development entity that will work within the local or regional economic network to provide assistance; and
The local Workforce Center, which will assist in the recruitment of potential skilled workers, along with placement of trained participants.
Pre-Obligation Grants are available to economic development entities to incentivize business recruitment and expansion. Applications are available for economic development entities to apply in collaboration with the business and blends Business Training Grants with a Pre-Hire Grant option as well. If a Pre-Obligation Grant is awarded, the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) will enter into a contract with the business to pre-obligate the necessary funds for training. An additional application for a Pre-Hire Grant is required under the pre-obligated funding and, if awarded, DWS will enter into a contract with the training entity. The pre-obligated funds bypass the monthly competitive application and award process for the Business Training Grants.
The total application amount shall not exceed an amount equivalent to two hundred (200) trainees multiplied by the maximum grant amount allowed for Business Training Grants which is determined by industry as follows:
$1,000 per trainee per state fiscal year
$1,500 per trainee in a preferred industry per state fiscal year
The purpose of this funding is to develop an industry-specific workforce for business(es) or industries where there is a shortage of skilled workers.
Apprenticeship Grants are available to Wyoming-based sponsor(s) with U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship registered apprenticeship programs and Related Instruction Providers associated with a Wyoming-based sponsor. Only the formal related instruction component for the apprenticeship programs is eligible for funding consideration.
The purpose of this funding is to provide Wyoming businesses the opportunity to offer structured learning experiences to individuals through internships that enhance an individual's work skills, knowledge and abilities. Government entities, except Wyoming County Hospitals, are not eligible to participate. An internship should provide:
A practical learning experience or project, given by a designated supervisor
An opportunity to observe, contribute, and rotate through the different parts of the department/organization
Career connections, mentorship, and networking opportunities within the organization/industry
Training, either "formal" or on-the-job along with constructive, on-going feedback for personal and professional development
