17-4

The Workforce Training Support program will assist community employers in the training and retaining of our skilled workforce. It is without question a challenge for almost every manufacturer to obtain the necessary assistance to include financial support to provide the required training for their workforce. Structured educational programs designed to equip employees working in a manufacturing setting with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively and safely, including technical abilities, equipment operation, efficient process understanding, and adherence to safety protocols allows them to contribute productively on the production floor. In short, workforce training programs help Illinois manufacturers provide their workers with the skills necessary to be safe and productive, as well as grow our Illinois based businesses. This Illinois manufacturing program will supplement the Employer Training Investment Program in place.

None

20 ILCS 605/605-800

Title 56, part 2650

Participating organization will be able to increase the number of companies/employees supported through training programs. Metrics: # of small- and medium-sized manufacturers engaged # of training hours

Yes

Grantee must provide reports demonstrating - Number of employees trained using state dollars - Types of training offered - Information regarding the impact of training received through the program - Statistical information to demonstrate training was delivered to employees across the state

Nonprofit Organizations;

Non-profit based in Illinois that supports the manufacturing workforce by helping to meet specialized training needs. Organization must presently participate in the DCEO-ETIP program;

Employees of manufacturing companies across Illinois

Project Grants

Economic Development

N/A

No

The applicant will be required to complete and submit application materials through SmartSheets as described within the NOFO.

No additional factors or elements

Merit review selection, funds will be awarded on a reimbursement basis

03/1/2026

20 days

The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days from the date of the denial letter. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.

No

None

Funds can be used to support: - Training necessary to respond to changing processes, machinery, or equipment - Training necessary to improve systems in the workplace, including quality certifications - Training on skills necessary to establish, maintain, or expand into new export markets - Training related to regulatory compliance as mandated for the workplace - Basic Skills (workplace ELS, workplace reading) - Leadership training - Internal company-based instructor wage during training - Employee external training fee expenses

Quarterly PPR and PFR

N/A

N/A

552-42045-4900-0400

$2M to be issued in SFY 26

2,000,000.00

Similar grant was offered in FY25 for $2.6 million and was successful in training over 50,000 new and existing trainees.

N/A

Illinois

555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661, 1011 S 2nd St Springfield, IL 62704, 1020 S Spring St Springfield, IL 62704

N/A

Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP); Job Training and Economic Development Grant Program (JTED)

CSFA 420-45-3551 was offered in FY 25 for $2.6 million dollars.

3/13/2025

FY 2025 : $2,600,000
FY 2026 : $2,000,000