The information contained in this Training Workforce Incentives section is intended to provide information on various incentives that could assist in training new or existing employees. This section contains information on programs such as the Skills Development Fund, Self Sufficiency Fund the Apprenticeship Training Fund and much more.
For additional information about Training/Workforce Incentives please contact the Katy Area EDC office directly at 281.396.2200.
| • Texas Skills Development Fund |
| • Texas Self Sufficiency Fund |
| • Workforce Solutions |
| • Apprenticeship Training Program |
| • Economic Development and Diversification In-State Tuition for Employees |
Texas Skills Development Fund (SDF)
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers the Skills Development Fund program, which provides state funds to directly respond to the workforce needs of Texas employers. For fiscal year 2009, TWC has $25 million in SDF funds to support high quality, customized job training projects across Texas. Grants are made to public community and technical colleges, The Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX); or a 501(c)3 Community Based Organizations (CBOs), only in partnership with the eligible organizations noted above. Grants are limited to $1,250 per employee on a 12 month contract basis. Single business grants are limited to a maximum grant amount of $500,000. Funds can be used for job retention (60%) and job creation (40%) for projects that: (a) demonstrate wages at or above the prevailing wage, (b) have active collaboration between community organizations and the Company, (c) have a high degree of customization in a state or local industry cluster, (d) involve high growth/high demand occupations, (e) exhibit funding contributions from area partners, and (f) show a positive economic impact. Costs covered include tuition, curriculum development, instructor fees, and training materials. In some cases funds can be used for adult education and literacy. SDF funds cannot be used to induce movement from one location in Texas to another. Katy Area EDC assists with the preparation of the application and assists with marketing the job creation positions in local media outlets.
The Self-Sufficiency Fund is a job-training program that is specifically designed for individuals that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The program links the business community with local educational institutions and is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission. The goal of the Fund is to assist TANF recipients become independent of government financial assistance.
The Fund makes grants available to eligible public colleges or to eligible private, non-profit organizations to provide customized job training and training support services for specific employers. A joint application from the employer and the eligible public college and/or eligible private, non-profit organization is required to be submitted to the Local Workforce Development Board for review and comment prior to approval.
Workforce Solutions (WS)
Workforce Solutions (WS) has a wide variety of Business Resources available to current and prospective employers in the Katy Area. These include: (a) pre-screening services of recruiting, screening and referring qualified applicants for job openings and customizing these services to meet individual employers’ needs; (b) providing space for interviewing and employer administered testing, and scheduling and coordinating tests and orientations at WS facilities or at the facility of employer; (c) providing quarterly onsite job fairs and customized job fairs for immediate employer needs; and (d) listing and maintaining job orders for companies in the local and national America's Job Bank and America's Workforce Network. Contact Susan Dixon for more information at (713) 817-0344 susan.dixon@wrksolutions.com.
The Texas Workforce Commission's Apprenticeship Training Program is an effective job training system for skilled trade and journeyworkers. Apprenticeship training is designed to prepare individuals for occupations in skilled trades and crafts and combines structured on-the-job training - supervised by experienced journeyworkers - with related classroom instruction. All apprenticeship training programs must be registered through the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Apprentices who successfully complete the prescribed number of training hours in a registered apprenticeship training program can become certified and skilled journeyworkers.
The Texas Workforce Commission provides funds to local public educational institutions to support the costs of related classroom instruction in registered apprenticeship training programs. To qualify for funds, apprenticeship training programs and apprentices must be registered with the U.S. Administration's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.
The Economic Development and Diversification In-state Tuition incentive may be offered to qualified businesses that are in the decision-making process to relocate or expand their operations into Texas. The incentive allows employees and family members of the qualified businesses to pay in-state tuition fees if the individual files with a Texas institution of higher education. Without this incentive designation, a student must reside in Texas for a 12-month period to be entitled to pay the tuition fees of a Texas resident.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) provides $1 million in funding for the Employer Scholarship Project for Recently Separated Veterans. Scholarships are awarded for skills training based on employers' identification of the skills necessary for Texas' future economic growth. When employers identify these needs, the training fund enables recently separated veterans to upgrade their skills to meet current and future workforce demands. Private Texas employers can apply to TWC for training grants by partnering with established training providers such as community colleges, apprenticeship training programs, or community-based training programs with demonstrated experience. Employers must be based in Texas and in good standing and in compliance with the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act and other applicable state and federal labor laws. Veterans eligible for skills training scholarships must: be discharged or released from active duty within the previous 36 months; be discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable; have served during a war, campaign, or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; be employed by a participating employer or have an offer of employment from a participating employer; and provide a DD-214 to document service status. Scholarship funds can be used to pay tuition, books, and fees for eligible veterans and must not exceed $1,000 per scholarship without substantial justification. For more information, contact George Bousquet at (512) 936-0401 or George.Bousquet@twc.state.tx.us. Grant Application: Word or PDF