Heartland Workforce: Employers

Incumbent Worker Training

The Incumbent Worker Training Program provides grant funding for customized training for existing for profit businesses. Through this customer-driven program, Florida is able to effectively retain and keep businesses competitive through upgrade skills training for existing full-time employees. Workforce Florida, Inc. administers the program.

Established in 1999, the Incumbent Worker Training Program has provided customized training for over 50,000 employees for more than 500 businesses throughout the state. The program has been structured to be flexible to meet the business’s training objectives. The business may use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of the training.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS -
Existing Florida businesses applying for an IWT grant must:

Have been in operation in Florida for at least one year prior to application date;

Have at least one full-time employee;

Demonstrate financial viability;

Be current on all state tax obligations.

FUNDING PRIORITY GIVEN TO:
Businesses with 25 or fewer employees;

Businesses located in a distressed Rural Area, Urban Inner-City Area or Enterprise Zone;

Businesses in qualified targeted industries - see list (pdf);

Businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant layoff avoidance strategy;

Businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant upgrade in employee skills

REIMBURSABLE TRAINING EXPENSES:
Instructors’/trainers’ salaries/tuition

Curriculum development

Textbooks/manuals

Not sure if your business meets the requirements? Don't have the time to find out, or deal with applying? Let us help you.

Heartland Workforce can help you by doing all the work, hassle free. It's our business, and our mission to serve the businesses and jobseekers of the Heartland.

Contact one of our Business Services Consultants to get started investing in YOUR business, employees and community now.

Cheryl Sharp

Business Services Manager

(863) 385-3672, ext. 288

Email:

Linda Allen

Business Services Consultant - DeSoto County

(863) 993-1008, ext. 227

Email:

Steve Grunkemeyer

Business Services Consultant - Highlands County

(863) 385-3672, ext. 232

Email:

Don McDonough

Business Services Consultant - Hardee County

(863) 773-3435, ext. 252

Email:

sp1lure@heartland-workforce.org