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DWS outlines training grants, apprenticeship expansion and ARPA‑funded healthcare scholarships
Summary
Department of Workforce Services staff reviewed the Business Training & Support Unit’s grant programs: business training grants, internship reimbursements, pre‑hire obligations, a $10,000-per‑student ARPA healthcare grant, and new apprenticeship supports including a pre‑apprenticeship stipend and a statewide apprenticeship hub launching Nov. 13.
Shan Moon, program manager for the Business Training & Support Unit at the Department of Workforce Services, and colleagues presented a sequence of state and federal training supports meant to address employer skill gaps and grow workforce pipelines.
Sharon Gisler summarized the Workforce Development Training Fund (WDF) business training grant, saying businesses can apply for up to $75,000 per fiscal year and receive training budgets (roughly $2,000 per employee, higher amounts for preferred industries). She described an Internship Grant reimbursing up to $18 per hour for as many as 480 hours per intern and reported early‑year takeup and a roughly 50% hire rate from internships when tracked.
Sharon also described a pre‑hire economic development training mechanism that allows DWS to pre‑obligate funds to support employer training costs when a relocation or expansion requires rapid upskilling.
On healthcare workforce funding, Sharon said the ARPA‑funded "Y Health Train" opened applications on Nov. 1, can cover up to $10,000 per student for programs completable within two years, and targets applicants at or below 300% of the federal poverty level who experienced pandemic‑era unemployment or underemployment. She said the funding must be obligated by the end of 2024 and may be expended through 2026.
Ivy Moore, apprenticeship program lead, described state and federal supports for registered apprenticeships, including a $283,000 State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAFE) award that reimburses employers for on‑the‑job learning and an ARPA‑funded pre‑apprenticeship grant focused on 16–24‑year‑olds. Ivy said the pre‑apprenticeship program provides up to $1,000 in supportive services per student and a $1,500 completion stipend tied to entry into a registered apprenticeship.
Ivy also previewed a modern apprenticeship hub and website (wyapprenticeship.com) scheduled to launch Nov. 13, aimed at centralizing program listings, employer resources and student navigation tools. "That website is being cleaned up as of today and it'll be fully launched November 13th," she told the council.
Council members asked practical questions about outreach, coordination with community colleges and the interaction of these funds with other aid such as Hathaway scholarships; DWS staff said they are coordinating with colleges, high schools and workforce centers to publicize and manage applications.
No formal council action was required on these program descriptions, though staff noted funding windows and program deadlines for FY24 obligations.
