• The Quick Response Training Program (QRT) provides grants to businesses creating new high skills/high wages jobs that require customized entry-level training.

  Since the QRT program was enacted in July of 1993, it has played a key role in the location or expansion decision of more than 300 value-added, competitive economic development projects. These projects have directly created over 85,000 new high skills/high wages jobs. Florida residents hired to fill these new jobs have received customized training that will increase their employability now and in the future. Because of the popularity of the program, demand has exceeded the annual appropriated amounts by a ratio of 3 to 1. Click here for more information, including a copy of the QRT application.

• Florida's Incumbent Worker Training Program provides employers with funds to train currently employed workers in an effort to keep their firms and workers competitive, particularly small businesses and those located in rural areas or distressed inner cities. Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) addresses retraining needed to meet changing skill requirements caused by new technology, retooling, new product lines and new organizational structuring.

  Created in 1999, the program receives an annual appropriation of $2 million. Click here for more information, including a copy of the IWT application. Click here to read the most recent IWT annual report.

• Employed Worker Training Program is administered by Workforce Solutions.  Employers must pay half of the desired training cost.  For more information please contact you local Career Center or call 1-866-4U2-HIRE.

• On-the-Job-Training (OJT) Employers can recoup up to half of wages paid to workers pre-approved by one-stop career centers through on-the-job training for employment usually not available elsewhere. Employers hire workers they have trained to their own specifications and employees are very likely to remain after training is complete. OJT is particularly encouraged in higher-skill occupations, and can be done in conjunction with classroom training at educational institutions. Reimbursements are limited to six months and may not exceed the time required to acquire the skill needed for the position.

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit This incentive, available to employers hiring welfare recipients and individuals from other groups including food stamp recipients as well as some veterans, vocational rehabilitation clients and people receiving Supplemental Security Income, can earn up to $2,400 per employee in federal income taxes. Employers receive up to 40 percent of qualified wages for a maximum credit of $2,400 per employee for employees working more than 400 hours. For individuals who work between 120 and 400 hours, employers are eligible for tax credits of up to 25 percent. Employers should complete a pre-screening notice before hiring a qualified applicant and must complete ETA form 9061 if the employee has been conditionally certified by the state. Additionally, a one-page form (such as payroll stubs or other proof of employment) must be filed to document the employee's eligibility. All forms must be filed within 21 days of employee's start date. For additional information and fax-on-demand forms, click here for more information.

Enterprise Zone Incentives Business located in an Enterprise Zone may be eligible for various tax credits if they hire new employees from groups including welfare recipients and graduates of Workforce Investment Act classroom training programs. Businesses can claim a percentage of the employee's wages against either their corporate income tax or to offset property or sales tax on building materials and business equipment. For additional information, click here or the national program at www.ezec.gov.

For more information, please contact the Business Services Consultant for your area.