Application Training Webinar Office of Skills Development (OSD) Summer 2014
Today s Agenda GOAL: To increase understanding of WFF Application requirements and to increase ability to navigate the WFF online application system. Wisconsin Fast Forward Overview: Review of WFF Program Look at WFF Website Applying for a WFF Grant: Authorization to be a Grant Writer Navigating the Online Application Planning a WFF Project Preparing a WFF Application
Wisconsin Fast Forward Legislation passed March 2013/ Funded by State General Purpose Revenue (GPR) Demand Driven-Must include employers with a skill demand for new/existing workers Metrics to report out on per Act 9: Number of unemployed who gain jobs Number of underemployed who gain better jobs Number of new hires trained and/or incumbent workers who receive pay increase
OSD Stakeholders Trainees: Transferrable Skills Employment/Wage Increase Wisconsin Businesses: Skilled Workforce More Competitive State of Wisconsin: Return on Investment (ROI) to taxpayers Transparent and Accountable State of Wisconsin Trainees Businesses
Wisconsin Fast Forward Process Grant Program Announcements (GPAs): Focused on sectors supported by labor market data and workforce demands of businesses Competitive rounds of funding Set application period with specified deadline Review/scoring by Evaluation Committee: Includes presentation by Applicants Recommendations to DWD Leadership Applicant enters into contract with OSD/DWD
Getting Started
Getting Started
Getting Started
Getting Started
Application Process Must Submit Online at: WisconsinFastForward.com Will need to pre-register: Register early May take a day or two to process login Request to be an Application Writer Download or Print: Project Planning Guide Online Application Instructions Budget Guidelines
Online Application
Application Writer Registration
Preparing an Application Data Collection: Applicant Information: Applicant Financials Partner Information: Letters of Commitment Letters of Support Curriculum Details Trainee Placements Narrative Writing: Project Need Goals & Objectives: (not on small business) Economic Impact Economic Opportunity Enhancements Training/Education Capacity Building Design & Implementation: (not on small business) Eligibility, Assessment & Monitoring Contributing Partners
Online Application
On-Line Application Tips Save Often Type and Count in Word Processor: Then cut and paste Gather all the necessary information first Use the tabs to navigate Print and review before submitting Read instructions carefully Ask for help
Application Tab 1: Project Information Application Instructions: Page 6: Instructions Page 16: Screen Shots Key Points: Project start date (no earlier than 60 days from application close) Project end date (give yourself time) Some parts will auto calculate Add all O*Net codes for which you will be training Fiscal Agent must be associated with Applicant
Types of Trainees Unemployed/Underemployed: Unemployed workers do not have a job at the time of the training Unemployed workers have a part-time or lower wage job at the time of the training Incumbent: Incumbent existing workers are on the payroll of the company for which training will be done and have been so since before day of GPA release (July 30, 2014) Incumbent new hires will be on the payroll during training and will have been hired after GPA release (July 30, 2014)
Application Tab 1: Adding Partners Application Instructions: Page 7: Instructions Page 17-18: Screen Shots Key Points: Every Application MUST have at least 1 Business partner Every Application must have one and only one partner checked as the applicant
Various Types of Applicants/Partners Business Private Training Provider Public or Private Post Secondary Institutions Workforce Development Boards Economic Development Organizations Chambers of Commerce Trade Associations
Application Structures One Business Business writes grant application, manages training project, administers grant, reports on outcomes Business and Partner(s) Partner may write grant application, manage training project, administer grant, report on outcomes Consortium of Businesses Lead Business writes grant application, manages training project, administers grant, reports on outcomes Consortium of Businesses and Partner(s) Partner may write grant application, manage training project, administer grant, report on outcomes
One Thing in Common Application includes one or more businesses that: Need workers with skills that can be developed with short- and medium term training Commit to hiring the successful unemployed trainee or provide a new job, a better opportunity for the underemployed, and/or a wage increase for incumbent workers Have a presence in Wisconsin and will train workers to work in Wisconsin.
Application Tab 1: Adding Curriculum Statements Application Instructions: Page 7: Instructions Page 18: Screen Shots Key Points: Every Application MUST have at least 1 Curriculum Statement Should be a curriculum statement for each course/class offered
Short to Medium Term: Training Requirements Courses less than one year in duration to complete Can consist of multiple, short/medium-term training courses or modules that are each less than one year Two year maximum duration for overall project Does not replace existing, routine operational training Solves a documented skills need that is not addressed through an existing and readily education or training program Is repeatable, portable, and scalable Enhances the sustainability/growth of the business and workforce Provides opportunity for income and career growth for trainees
Application Tab 1: Adding Placements Application Instructions: Page 8: Instructions Key Points: Every Application MUST have at least 1 Placement Added Every trainee should be reflected in the Placements Placement refers to the outcome and does not necessarily signify a new job
Application Tab 2: Applicant Information Application Instructions: Page 7: Instructions Page 19: Screen Shots Key Points: Every Application MUST have at least 1 Curriculum Statement Should be a curriculum statement for each course/class offered.
Application Tab 3: Project Budget Covers total project period: Curriculum development, pre- and post-training activities, training, outcome reporting and project closeout Match requirements specific to the award amount detailed in the GPA (cash or in-kind) 1-1 match means that if the project spends $2 we will reimburse $1 and the applicant is responsible for $1 Hourly wage plus hourly benefit eligible match Grant request can not exceed maximum $400,000 for large grants & $50,000 for small business No applicant can receive more than $400,000 award in a calendar year.
Budget Tips Must be new (cannot replace existing funding) Include as much detail as possible Carefully consider all costs Research prices Make your best estimate Round up/don t use cents Remember cost is a factor in decisions
Ineligible Training Costs Purchase of Real Estate Kindergarten 12 th grade programs Construction or remodeling expenses Ordinary travel, meals and lodging costs of trainees to-andfrom the training Purchase of Capital Equipment Individual items with of cost of over $5,000 and a lifespan of more than one year Tuition payments Costs incurred before the Intent to Award date
Eligible Training Costs Curriculum development Instruction Instructional Materials Instructional Supplies and Operating Expenses Facility Rental Consultant/Contractual Travel, Meals, Lodging Other Administrative Costs (up to 5% of total project budget)
Curriculum Development Includes: All items necessary for the development/customization of project curriculum: Personnel costs Consultant costs Supplies No direct curriculum purchase costs Notes: If paid for by WFF grant funds, the state will own the curriculum and will make it available to others If you want to protect proprietary knowledge, you should pay for curriculum development Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match
Instruction Includes: Personnel costs necessary for the delivery of instruction: In-house Trainer costs Consultant/Contractual Trainer costs Partner Trainer costs Notes: Include actual wages/ benefits for actual time for: Instruction delivery Preparation for class, if necessary (but not curriculum development) Other instructional tasks like grading tests, individual trainee meetings, travel if appropriate Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match
Instructional Materials Includes: Non-consumable items directly supporting instructional delivery Textbooks, videos, example items Small equipment like drills, phones, computers, safety equipment Direct curriculum purchase costs Notes: No purchase of Capital Equipment (item >$5,000 with life > 1year) Fair Market Value Pro-rated for Training Time Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match (Not more than 20% of total match)
Facilities Includes: Cost of necessary off-site facilities Value of donated on-site facilities Notes: Fair Market Value Prorated for time of training No construction, renovation or purchase of facilities allowed Allowed as: Offsite - WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match (Onsite In-Kind Match Only)
Instructional Supplies & Operating Expenses Includes: Consumable items directly supporting instructional delivery: Training supplies like welding rods, nails, latex gloves, fuel Rental expenses for equipment (capital or not) Notes: Fair market value Pro-rated to portion used for training Directly related to training (Not general overhead) Utilities required by the project Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match
Consultant/Contractual Includes: Consultant/Contractual costs directly related to the training program, but not directly related to curriculum development/instruction Notes: Should not include an curriculum development or instructional costs even if incurred through a contractual relationship. Examples: Pre-screening applicants Independent audit contract Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match
Travel, Meals & Lodging Includes: Costs directly incurred by instructors delivering training for a WFF grant program. Exact costs only (Estimates may be budgeted) Notes: Available only for Instructors or Train the Trainer projects Not available for trainees Should not be included in Match but may be described in budget detail to show larger commitment Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match
Wages/Stipends of Trainees Includes: Wages and benefits paid to trainees for their time in training. Notes: Will require detail of payments to employees to document this match. Allowed as: Match Only
Other Includes: All items necessary for the development/ customization of project curriculum: Personnel costs Consultant costs Supplies NO direct curriculum purchase costs Audit costs if > $250,000 Notes: If paid for by WFF grant funds, the state will own the curriculum and will make it available to others If you want to protect proprietary knowledge, you should pay for curriculum development Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match
Grant Administrative Costs Includes: Administrative Costs directly related to Grant Administration Personnel costs for completion of WFF reports Personnel costs for organizing, planning, executing the training program Office supplies (paper, postage, copying) directly related to the grant. Notes: Is meant to offset specific costs of the grant and does NOT include general overhead Will need to be itemized and documented no percentages Allowed as: WFF Request (Up to 5% of project total or Cash/In-Kind Match)
Application Writing Tips Remember: Competitive Process Variety of Stakeholders Business Driven Trainee Outcomes State funds Provide details Don t be repetitive Complete all the sections Answer all the questions in each section Don t wait until the last minute
Application Tab 4: Project Needs Application Instructions: Page 9: Instructions Page 21: Screen Shots Key Points: Data can/should include business partner information Should address why the training program is needed and why it can t be filled in other ways
Application Tab 5: Goals & Objectives Application Instructions: Page 9: Instructions Page 22: Screen Shots Key Points: Section is not on Short Form for Small Business Grant Economic Impact is focused on business and community Economic Opportunity is focused on trainee Training and Education Capacity is both local business, as well as return to the state overall
Application Tab 6: Design and Implementation Application Instructions: Page 10: Instructions Page 23: Screen Shots Key Points: Section is not on Short Form for Small Business Grant
Application Tab 7: Contributing Partners Application Instructions: Page 10 & 12: Instructions Page 24: Screen Shots Key Points: Need to have letters of commitment from all partners hiring or training trainees and/or providing match Can have letters of support Email letters to wisconsinfastforward@dwd.wisconsin.gov
Application Tab 8: Sign & Submit Application Instructions: Page 10: Instructions Page 25: Screen Shots Key Points: Read carefully Print and Review before submitting Submitting locks the application and you can not edit it.
Questions Project Planning: Shelly Harkins: E: Shelly.Harkins@dwd.wisconsin.gov Application/Budget: Sandra Hiebert E: Sandra.Hiebert@dwd.wisconsin.gov