I am an individual seeking training for myself. Am I eligible to receive reimbursement for training through the Express Program and Workforce Training Fund?

Modified on Thu, Nov 21 at 3:31 PM

The Express Program provides employers fast access to funds to train their workers. The Workforce Training Fund, the source of money that is used to support the Express Program, is made possible by a surcharge on unemployment insurance payments that businesses make to the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Because of this, our program only reimburses employers for approved incumbent worker training costs.

If you are currently job hunting, or if you have recently been laid off and are seeking to re-enter the workforce or are looking for training, we have included below a list of resources and training opportunities we’ve found to help get your research started into your desired occupation and field. Please note that this list is for informative purposes, and we cannot guarantee that all programs are currently active – we encourage you to explore programs of interest to ensure a good match and availability, as well as search for resources that may not be on this list, such as those offered in your local community.

We highly recommend engaging with your local MassHire Career Center, which can connect you with opportunities to join upskilling programs, procure financial aid for training, deliver workshops for developing your resume and interviewing skills, and which maintains strong relationships with recruiters in your local business community to help network and facilitate matches with jobs in your desired field.

Massachusetts’ 15 Community Colleges also have a considerable amount of programs offering low-to-no-cost secondary education to qualifying students, such as with the MassReconnect program, which provides no-cost community college to students 25+ who have not yet received a degree. You may be eligible for one of their many Grants, Scholarships, or Tuition Waivers based on your program, background, and personal situation. Click here to learn more.

Department of Career Services

MassHire Career Centers

Adult Basic Education Directory

Youth Resources (ages 14-25)

YouthWorks. YouthWorks is a state-funded youth employment program that helps teens and young adults develop skills and experience needed to find and keep jobs.
CommCorp | Youth Employment Programs
The Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Program. This annual grant program uses funds received by the AG's Office through health care and child labor settlements to provide grants to fund health-focused employment for young people.
MassHire Youth Services. MassHire offers many programs for in-school and out-of-school youth that provide a pathway to a GED, HiSET, high school diploma, higher education, industry-recognized training, and a career. These programs are funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which offers training and support services such as transportation assistance, resume development, interviewing coaching, and more at no cost to eligible youth. MassHire also hosts a variety of workshops, some specifically formulated for youth, going over the skills needed to succeed, as well as job fairs to connect prospective employees with employers.
Youth Programs through the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) supports a wide variety of programs to ensure that all youth have the skills and training they need to successfully make the transition to adulthood and careers. These programs include:
- Apprenticeship - Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Applicants for apprenticeship programs must be at least 16 years old and meet the program sponsor's qualifications.
- Job Corps - Job Corps is the nation's largest and most comprehensive residential education and job training program for at-risk youth, ages 16 through 24. Private companies, state agencies, federal agencies, and unions recruit young people to participate in Job Corps, where they can train for and be placed in jobs.
- YouthBuild - YouthBuild programs give at-risk youth ages 16-24 the opportunity to transform their lives by earning their high school diploma or state-recognized equivalency degree, learning to be community leaders, and preparing for college and other post-secondary training opportunities.
- Youth Connections - The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 enacted a comprehensive youth employment program for serving eligible youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers to education, training, and employment.