Support Your Company’s Training Needs Through DSB’s Workforce Training Grant

Maintaining a well-trained workforce, especially in today’s competitive economy, is essential for small businesses to thrive and grow. But training can be costly, and as a result, particularly for smaller employers, a larger investment than the owner can handle.

Regina Mitchell

The Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB) has a grant program that can give a much-needed boost to businesses of all sizes in need of employee training programs.

The Workforce Training Grant is a matching grant program available to eligible Delaware companies, as well as  non-profits with w-2 employees. It is designed for Delaware employers who need to raise the skill level of their existing workforce through customized training.

The program’s goals are to create and retain quality jobs for the State of Delaware and create advancement opportunities for Delaware employees.

To be eligible for funding, training programs should be related to new and innovative processes or programs, machinery, or technology-related upgrades, and not training that occurs due to the regular cost of doing business.

As an example, if you’re an established business whose equipment has been upgraded to newer models and your staff needs training on how to operate them because of new/different technology and operating procedures, this could be eligible for a Workforce Training Grant.

Workforce Training Grants are capped at $100,000 per grant. Training can’t have already occurred, and it should relate to employment and industry trends that will support Delaware’s economy. The applicant must demonstrate a business need for the training. Training projects that will create new jobs within the State will be given priority.

Employees trained under the grant must be full-time permanent Delaware employees of the applicant prior to the start of training, and of these employees, a minimum of 50% must be Delaware residents.

DSB will reimburse up to 50% of eligible costs, including instruction, classroom space or facilities and other directly related costs of training (wages paid to participants during training are not eligible for reimbursement). Half of the funds are disbursed after the grant agreement has been fully executed, and the remaining funds are disbursed after the successful completion of training and the submission, review, and acceptance by the Division of all supporting documentation.

The Workforce Training Grant is a great way to advance your employees’ skill level in an affordable way for the business owner.

Want to learn more or find out if you are eligible? Contact the DSB Regional Business Manager for your county by going to https://business.delaware.gov/#resource-managers for a list of names and contact information.

Visit de.gov/incentives to see a list of many other grant, loan and incentive programs DSB offers. May is National Small Business Month and there are many ways the Division of Small Business supports owners in our state, whether through providing guidance to new and established businesses, connecting them to important partner resources based on their needs, or providing access to information about funding. Get to know DSB and the many services it offers FREE of charge.

By Delaware Division of Small Business Director Regina Mitchell