Workforce training
fund program

The Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) provides grants to help Massachusetts employers address business productivity and competiteveness by providing resources to Massachusetts businesses to fund training for current and newly hired employees.

amplifying ESOL

Workplace ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) is a WTFP priority. WTFP can help your business kick-start on the job ESOL classes to make your employees—and your company—more effective, efficient, and productive. Grants for workplace ESOL be requested via either Express or General program grants.

workforce training
fund program

general program

workforce training
fund program

Express program

general program

  • $200,000 max per 2 year grant
  • 90 day lead time
  • Any size business is eligble
  • Customized training plan with training providers of your choice
  • Company must match grant funds $1 to $1 (includes wage/fringe paid to trainees)
    *ESOL is not subject to $1-$1 match requirement
  • Outcome tracking & reporting required
  • 1-year waiting period between General Program Grants
  • ESOL Bridge Grant to continue workplace ESOL training during 1-year waiting program

General ESOL Bridge Grant

For Workplace ESOL only

Up to $100,000 and 1 year

Customized training plan with training provider(s) of choice

* Effective July 2023, WTFP now offers the WTFP Bridge Grant to continue workplace ESOL training during the waiting period that follows a General Program grant.

Express Program

  • $20,000 max per calendar year
  • Businesses with 100 or fewer Massachusetts employees are eligible for up to 100% reimbursement in training costs
  • 3 week lead time
  • Full reimbursement, up to $3,000 per person per course
  • Businesses can submit multiple applications for additional training as needed
  • Search using the “ESOL” tag on the Express Training Directory for resources

Amplifying ESOL with the Express Program

Pre-approved courses listed in directory

Businesses can be reimbursed up to $3,000 per person per course

3-week lead time

*Approved training courses listed on the Express Training Directory have a set number of hours. A pre-defined set of learning objectives, are led by an instructor, and have a low level of customization.

Testimonial

In 1916, an Italian immigrant began the Piantedosi Bread Company, which today produces over 500,000 bread units daily and employs around 200 diverse individuals. However, with the passage of time, the company faced significant challenges:

Departments within Piantedosi operated in isolation, limiting synergy and collaboration. This, combined with an increasing market demand and certain communication hindrances, began to affect their efficiency and safety standards.

In their quest to remain competitive and cohesive, the WorkForce Training Fund (WTFP) stepped in, seeing an opportunity to streamline their operations. Taking on the role of the “connector”, the program introduced them to a suite of training programs. These included Leadership Skills Development, Process Improvement, and Advanced ESOL and Literacy training, tailored to cater to the diverse workforce of Piantedosi.

This strategic intervention and commitment of WTFP bore fruit: Piantedosi witnessed a 25% reduction in raw material waste, achieved their best safety record in 2020, and managed to drastically reduce freshness complaints.

The WorkForce Training Fund continues to champion businesses, identifying challenges and bridging gaps, ensuring that both employers and employees can access the best resources and opportunities available.

Employers
Served

Contact Us

Commonwealth Corporation is a quasi-public agency that was established in 1996 under the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. 
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