Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) funding opportunity

The IWT program is a grant funding resource, helping to off-set a portion of skills-based training costs for incumbent workers employed by Montana's private sector organizations. 

• "Incumbent" is defined as an individual who is working a minimum of 20 hours/week consecutively for a minimum of 6 months.
• Public, seasonal and non-paid workers/volunteers may NOT apply.

Organizations must demonstrate training will increase the worker's skill-level, result in a promotion or wage gain, or expand their market/increase revenue, with the intent of preserving existing jobs for Montana residents. 

• "Organization" is defined as private sector, for-profit and non-profit, operating predominately year-round.
• "Predominately year-round" is defined as 11 months of consecutive operation.

WHEN TO SUBMIT:  Applications must generally be submitted at least 14 days prior to the start of training date.                       Applications must be approved before training begins.

GRANT CAPS ARE TIED DIRECTLY TO WORKERS                     Grant caps are tiered, based on the number of hours an eligible employee works:

• 20-34 hours a week year-round $1,000 (part-time status)
• 35+ hours a week year-round $2,500 (full-time status)

To see if your organization meets minimum qualifications, please visit www.iwt.mt.gov

HOW APPLICATIONS ARE EVALUATED

This is a competitive grant. Grant funding is allocated to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (MDLI) on a State Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30) and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

• Funding is not guaranteed.  In order to ensure equitable distribution of funding across Montana, previous awardees or multiple submissions from any one employer may be waitlisted or denied.  
• The review team also measures the number of requests from one county and/or number of requests that indicate the same trainer may also be waitlisted or denied.

The following are not eligible for incumbent worker training grant funding:

• All-staff training;
• Continuing education required to maintain professional certification or licensure;
• Courses for degree completion;
• Training customarily required or provided by the business or industry;
• Conferences, trade shows, expos, summits; 
• Training that occurred prior to the grant request being awarded;
• Subscription/membership related trainings;
• Retreats;
• Trainings that exceed a year's time from start to finish;
• Training for which the incumbent worker was hired to do;
• Self-paced, online training.

 Refer to the MCA and ARM for criteria, rulemaking, requirements, processes, evaluation/limitations, claims and appeals. https://wsd.dli.mt.gov/employers/incumbent-worker-training-program/regulations-mca-and-arm