RETAINING services

Round 3 Applications: Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) for Spring 2026

Funding Year: 25-26

 

Due to available funding, Forward Careers is opening an additional application round for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) for new businesses not currently funded for Spring 2026.

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How it Works!

• Participating businesses must be in Wisconsin.

• Employers select the training to be provided to their employees.

• Trainings may range from 1 day to 16 weeks.

• Employers complete and submit an application, a detailed training description, training invoice, trainee form(s) and job description(s) for each employee going to the training. Please note that the training program cannot have started and must be a new training program that will start between the time periods listed below.

• After the employees successfully complete the training, the employer may be reimbursed between 25% and 75% of costs of training their workers dependent upon training outcomes. Training costs cannot include travel, equipment, training supplies or materials such as books, manuals, etc. 

 

Businesses interested in this grant opportunity may apply for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Round 3 funding cycle to offer training programs that will be delivered to their workforce between the following periods:

 

• New Businesses: Open to new businesses not currently funded for Spring 2026

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• Training Period: Training programs may range from 1 day to 16 weeks and must take place between March 2, 2026, and June 12, 2026. Training completed prior to this period is not eligible.

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• Application Deadline: Applications for Spring 2026 are due by 12:00 p.m. CST on Friday, February 3, 2026.

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Review the full GPA below and submit all required forms below. Incomplete or application missing supporting documents will not be accepted. 

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• Grant Program Announcement (GPA)

• Application Form (REQUIRED)

• Appendices​

  • Trainee(s) Form (REQUIRED)

    • Also required: Invoice, Training Description, and Job Description(s) - 

  • In-House Training Template (Required only if training is conducted in-house)

    • In-House Training Sample

  • Union Form (Required only if employee(s) are in union)