RETAINING services

Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Grant Applications Now Open!

Funding Year: Fall 2025 & Spring 2026

 

We are now accepting applications for the Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Grant, which helps Wisconsin businesses upskill their existing employees and strengthen their competitive edge.

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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 funding cycle to offer training programs that will be delivered to their workforce between the following periods:

 

• Fall 2025: Training programs may range from 1 day to 16 weeks and be held between September 22, 2025 and December 31, 2025.

• Fall 2025: Applications Due by 12:00 p.m. CST on Friday, September 5, 2025 to contact@forwardcareers.org. 

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• Spring 2026: Training programs may range from 1 day to 16 weeks and be held between January 1, 2026, and June 12, 2026.

• Spring 2026: Applications Due by 12:00 p.m. CST on Friday, December 5, 2025 to contact@forwardcareers.org.​​​​

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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)