Incumbent Worker Training
The Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) program provides training resources for businesses 1) to train currently employed workers in an effort to keep businesses and workers competitive; 2) for training needed in current businesses due to expansion, new technology, retooling, new services/product lines or new organizational structuring or as part of a layoff aversion strategy; and 3) for which the employer provides a matching contribution of no more than 10%, 25% or 50% (percentage is directly related to the number of employees) of the cost of training.
Funds
Funds are available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to train currently employed workers. The Lower Savannah Workforce Development Area, which consists of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun and Orangeburg Counties, has IWT funding available to contract with area businesses. Businesses applying for funding must:
- Have at least one full-time employee
- Be current on all state tax obligations
- Be registered in the South Carolina Works Online Services (SCWOS) system
A consortia may serve as a broker for Incumbent Worker Training and may enter into an agreement on behalf of participating businesses. Consortia may include business associations, industry councils, chambers of commerce, downtown development corporations, or two or more businesses in need of similar training. The required matching contribution will be based on the total consortium employment and will be prorated among the participating businesses based on the number of employees trained. Training entities, city, county and state government agencies are ineligible for Incumbent Worker Training Funds.
Because funding is limited, the Lower Savannah WDB Executive Committee will have the final word on all contracts awarded. Priority for funding will be given to 1) Businesses/Consortia whose applications represent a significant upgrade in employee skills either through stackable industry recognized credentialing and/or employee wage increases as a result of training , 2) Businesses/Consortia whose training applications reflect a significant layoff avoidance strategy 3) and Businesses who have not received an Incumbent Worker Training Program award during the prior or current program year (Prior or current year IWT candidates may still be eligible if total IWT funding is not obligated). Businesses should note that funding will be limited to $15,000 per business/consortia. This amount includes the employer match .
Lower Savannah Council of Governments will contract with the selected business/consortia to write an agreement for incumbent worker training. Costs will be reimbursed after the business provides the training services specified in the contract. Reimbursable training expenses include instructor/trainers salaries, textbooks/manuals, and consumable materials/supplies. Periodic safety and refresher courses cannot be funded.
Lower Savannah Council of Governments must receive application by 4:30 PM, Thursday, March 31, 2022. via email to Andre Anderson (abanderson@lscog.org) or mail to LSCOG, IWT Program, PO Box 850, Aiken SC 29802.
Applications
The IWT Application is available for download below.
