Employed Worker Customized Training



CNY Works is committed to supporting business training activities that are designed to help businesses maintain their competitive edge and develop our local workforce, specifically when they relate to the introduction of new technologies, process improvement, team building/supervisory, cross-training to enhance an employee's employability or upgrading an employee to a new job that require additional skills.

Review the Application

If you are interested in applying, contact Joey Nigro-Nilsen (315) 448-4707 for an application packet and consultation.

Important items to consider before you complete the application

  • Employee trainees will be registered with CNY Works as participants and will be required to complete an eligibility form (Attachment B). The information that is provided will be kept strictly confidential. This form, along with proof of the employee's date of birth and identification (e.g. driver's license), will establish and document that they are eligible to receive training funded by the Workforce Investment Act. Our staff is available to explain this documentation and process to the employees, if needed.
  • Business applicants will be required to provide documentation showing skills level attained by trainees, as well as any upgrade in pay rate, job title, and other information as required by Federal auditors upon review of the grant application and training process.
  • All business applicants, including each member of a group application, must be headquartered or have at least one physical location in Onondaga County at the time of application. Funds awarded to business applicants must be expended on employees working at the applicant's Onondaga County facility.
  • No training may begin prior to CNY Works, Inc. receiving the signed, dated contract. Openings that result from this training contract, should be posted with the Department of Labor using a Fast Fax form (please request form if you are not familiar with this process).

Our staff is available to answer questions, review attachment B with the trainees, and to collect the documentation required. Contact Joey Nigro-Nilsen, or Andrea Schnobrich, if you require assistance completing any portion of this application.

Important questions to consider before you complete this application

What can funds be used for?
Funds requested can include cost of classroom instruction (i.e., tuition or course fees), customized consultant training and in-house staff training costs. The wages of employees participating in training, training materials and travel expenses are not reimbursable expenses.

Applicants must pay at least 50% of the total cost of training. Matching funds can include one or portions of the following: cost of instruction, training materials, and expenses associated with out-of-town training.

Trainees must earn $30.00, or less per hour to qualify for training with these funds. Trainees must be employees of the applicant business, not independent contractors or contract employees. Employees identified for training should be permanent, full-time employees. Part-time employees may be trained if training will result in their becoming full-time employees immediately following training.

What costs are not covered under this initiative?
Funds may not be used for administrative costs, construction/renovation of buildings, purchase of equipment and software, government mandated training (e.g., OSHA training), or payment of employee wages or wage subsidies.

Applications will not be entertained for training that has already started or been completed.

Expected outcomes

The retention of employees is an important goal. Businesses are expected to provide training to employees, which will result in the acquisition of transferable skills or an industry-recognized certification or credential, thereby enhancing their long-term employability, career growth and earnings potential. The best application will include skills upgrading and an earnings gain for employees within nine months of completing training.

What happens after an application is submitted?

CNY Works, Inc. will review the application make award decisions usually within two weeks of receipt. All applicants will receive a letter informing them of the decision on their application. Successful applicants will be contacted by contract development staff.

Reviewers will determine if all requirements of the application have been met and evaluate the quality of the responses. Selection will depend on available funding and the number of quality proposals.