WDCE Writing Customized Job Training (CJT) Grant Applications
Gain the information and tools needed to write a successful Customized Job Training (CJT) grant with assistance from Workforce Development & Continuing Education.
Job training is a key element in economic development. By offering reimbursement for companies' training costs, CJT grants, made available through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, encourage business expansion, retention, start-up, and relocation.
Fostering connections between educational institutions and private companies can help to ensure that Pennsylvanians have the skills needed to obtain employment and meet current and projected workforce needs.
Training is offered throughout the commonwealth, with a special emphasis on areas that are economically distressed. Most of the training must be delivered to production employees and/or frontline supervisors.
Eligibility
Any private company (business, professional service or enterprise - excluding point-of-sale business) that meets at least one of the following criteria may be eligible for CJT funding:
- New, start-up firm (must be in production prior to receiving grant)
- Newly located in Pennsylvania
- Substantially expanding
- Committed to retaining employees who face job loss within six months without customized training
- Requiring training to maintain competitiveness and long-term viability
Entry-level, upgrade, and retention training is eligible for reimbursement. It must be "advanced" in nature rather than basic training.
All trainees must be permanent, full-time employees of the company.
Funds are reimbursed through the educational institution, which monitors training and administers CJT funds on behalf of the Department of Economic and Community Development. Companies and schools are required to enter into an agreement that details reimbursement activities and payment schedules.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted from July 1 through March 31.
Contact Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Penn College or another local education agency (LEA) in your area to begin the process. The LEA is responsible for preparing and submitting the grant application.
A list of other education providers is available from the Governor's Action Team, Ben Franklin Technology Centers, and Industrial Resource Centers.
Workforce Development & Continuing Education accepts applications for new the fiscal year after June 1.
Training costs that are reimbursable by CJT are incurred between July 1 and June 30; identify the training period for which funds are requested on the application.
Application approval process takes 12-16 weeks.
Awards
Grants are awarded to the educational institution providing the training.
Applications are reviewed on a first-in/first-out basis, for soundness of plan, cost effectiveness, and increased wages for company employees.
Awards generally cover 100% of entry-level training costs and up to 70% of upgrade/retention training costs.
Most awards do not exceed $500,000; no more than 20% of the state's total appropriation may be awarded to any one company in any one county in Pennsylvania.
Awards are made annually; monies must be spent within the year of appropriation or returned.
Point-of-sale training is not eligible for CJT funding.
CJT funds may not be used to further an individual's academic education.
Terms
- CJT – Customized Job Training
- DCED – Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
- Firm – Your company
- LEA – Local educational agency (such as Pennsylvania College of Technology
- MOA(s) – Memorandum of agreement between the LEA and firm or LEA and training subcontractors
- New employee – For CJT funding purposes, new employees cannot be hired more than six months prior to start of training
- OEM – Original equipment manufacturer
- Retention – Employee who may lose their job without training, usually due to foreign competition or other special circumstances
- Single Application – DCED form used with CJT grants
- Upgrade – Employee who needs enhanced skills due to business competition or new technology
