Why have subsidy limits been reduced, and a $300 cost-per-hour cap implemented, for Workforce Training Fund Express and General Program grants?

In recent years the Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) have experienced unprecedented levels of participation. In FY23 (7/2022 – 6/2023) over $39 million was awarded to train more than 30,000 workers from over 1,600 Massachusetts employers. In FY24 (7/1/2023 – 6/30/2024) over $37 million was awarded to train nearly 28,000 workers from more than 1,600 employers. These represent all-time records for WTFP grants.

As a result of a surplus that accumulated due to lower-than-normal levels of training taking place during the Covid-19 pandemic, Workforce Training Fund programs have been able to accommodate higher than normal participation throughout the pandemic recovery. However, surpluses have since been exhausted and demand from new grants continues to grow. New revenue collected each year for program grants is finite. In FY25 (7/2024 – 6/2025) Commonwealth Corporation, on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, expects to award approximately $20 million in WTFP grants. Accordingly, program guidelines must be modified to reflect this reality.

As administrators and advisors considered changes to program guidelines intending to moderate the impact of limited resources, the following guiding principles were adopted:

1. Maintain Customer Experience: Continue a year-round, just-in-time rolling application process without increasing the maximum 21 day / 60 day application turnaround time, minimizing times applications are not accepted.
2. Manage Resources to Avoid Reactionary Behavior: Decisions made seek to avoid causing potential applicants to prematurely pursue funding for training that is not an immediate priority or training that may or may not be needed. We seek to ensure support is available to employers and workers when needed, even late in the year.
3. Prioritizing Small Businesses: Program changes are intended to continue the dramatic growth in participation of small enterprises in WTFP.
4. Alignment with WTFP Priorities: Grants that provide workplace ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) skills are a funding priority of WTFP. Changes are intended to reflect this funding priority and minimize barriers to workplace ESOL. WTFP will also continue to promote training involving DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and training related to the impact of climate change.