Application Submission Webinar Office of Skills Development (OSD) WELCOME! The webinar is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Please print a copy of the Application Instructions, the Project Planning Guide, and this PowerPoint from the WisconsinFastForward.com website Please mute your audio 2015 Q 2 Round 4 Application Training Webinar Office of Skills Development (OSD) 2015 Q 2 Round 4 Today s Agenda Goal: To increase understanding of WFF Application requirements and the ability to navigate the online WFF Application System. Wisconsin Fast Forward Overview Review of WFF Program Look at WFF Website Applying for a WFF Grant Authorization to be an Application Writer Navigating the Online Application Planning a WFF Project Preparing a WFF Application 1
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 per Act 9: Number of unemployed who gain jobs Number of underemployed who gain better jobs Number of new hires trained Number of 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 Intent to Award sent no later than 60 days from application deadline date Applicant enters into contract with OSD/DWD 2
Getting Started APPLICATION PROCESS Must Submit Online at: WisconsinFastForward.com Will need to pre-register (register early, may take a day or two) Request to be an Application Writer Download or Print: Project Planning Guide Online Application Instructions Getting Started 3
Getting Started Getting Started Online Application 4
Application Writer Registration Preparing an Application Overview Data Collection Applicant Information Applicant Financials Partner Information Letters of Commitment for all placements Letters of Support Curriculum Details Trainee Placements Narrative Writing Project Need Goals & Objectives Economic Impact Economic Opportunity Enhancements Training/Education Capacity Building Design & Implementation Eligibility, Assessment & Monitoring Contributing Partners 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 5
Online Application App Tab 1: Project Info Application Instructions Pages 4-5 Project start date no earlier than 60 days from application deadline date 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 Individual Contact information entered under applicant partner will auto populate the Applicant Project Contact section. Unemployed Trainees Types of Trainees Unemployed workers do not have a job at the time of the training An unemployed project can include underemployed trainees not employed with project partners who will get a new job following training Incumbent Worker Trainees Incumbent worker trainees are on the payroll of the company for which training will be done and have been so since before the day of the GPA release (May 14, 2015) New Hire Trainees New hire trainees will be on the payroll during training and will have been hired after GPA release (May 14, 2015) 6
App Tab 1: Adding Partners Application Instructions: Pages 5-7 Every Application MUST have at least 1 Employee Placement Partner Every Application must have one and only one partner as the Applicant The answers to the Project Partner Selection Questions will determine the correct type of partner being added Add information for each partner on the project FEIN number is required for the applicant Business Various Types of Applicants/Partners Application Instructions Page 5-6 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 Consortium of Businesses Lead 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 and Partner(s) Partner may write grant application, manage training project, administer grant, report on outcomes 7
ONE THING IN COMMON Application Instructions Page 19 Application includes one or more businesses that: Have a presence in Wisconsin and will train workers to work in Wisconsin Need workers with skills that can be developed with short-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 Training Providers In-House Providers Employment Placement Partners who will use internal staff to provide some training must enter information about their inhouse trainers and the trainers qualifications External Providers May be the applicant or a project partner Will be required to fill out information about Accreditation TRAINING REQUIREMENTS Short to Medium Term: Less than 1-year to complete training course Can consist of multiple, short/medium-term training 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 8
App Tab 1: Adding Curriculum Statements Application Instructions Page 7 Every Application MUST have at least 1 Curriculum Statement Should be a curriculum statement for each course/class offered Include details about instructors and their qualifications, timing of the course and critical need App Tab 1: Adding Placements Application Instructions Page 8 Every Application MUST have at least 1 Placement Every trainee should be reflected in the Placements Add Employment Placement Partners in the Partner section before completing Placement section Placement refers to the outcome and does not necessarily signify a new job (unemployed new job, underemployed better job, new hire keep job, incumbent worker wage increase) App Tab 2: Compliance Application Instructions Page 8 Compliance Tab information refers only to the applicant partner. All Compliance questions must be answered and any Yes answers explained. Financial information must be entered into the system or emailed to WisconsinFastForward@dwd.wisconsin.gov. 9
App Tab 3: Project Budget Application Instructions Page 9-13 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 paid to trainees during training are eligible as match only Grant request amounts: Must request at least $5,000 Maximum request is $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) Must be incurred after Intent to Award is issued Include as much detail as possible Carefully consider all costs Research prices Make your best estimate Round up/don t use cents Remember total cost, cost per trainee, and cost per hour of training are all factors in the decision Ineligible Project Costs Application Instructions: Page 9 Purchase of Real Estate Kindergarten 12 th grade programs Construction or remodeling expenses Ordinary travel, meals and lodging costs of trainees to and from 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 10
Eligible Project Costs Application Instructions: Page 10-13 Curriculum development Instruction Instructional Materials - (May only be 20% of Total Match) Instructional Supplies and Operating Expenses Facility Rental Consultant/Contractual Travel, Meals, Lodging for Instructor Other Administrative Costs (up to 5% of total project budget) Curriculum Development Application Instructions: Page 10 All items necessary for the development/ customization of project curriculum: Personnel costs Consultant costs Supplies NO direct curriculum purchase costs 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 Application Instructions: Page 10-11 Personnel costs necessary for the delivery of instruction: In-house Trainer costs Consultant/Contractual Trainer costs Partner Trainer costs Include actual wages/ benefits for actual time for: Instruction delivery Class preparation, if necessary (but not curriculum development) Other instructional tasks like grading, individual trainee meetings, travel if appropriate May not include standard tuition costs except as match or for Train the Trainer models Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match 11
Instructional Materials Application Instructions: Page 11 Non-consumable items DIRECTLY supporting instructional delivery Textbooks, videos, example items Small equipment like drills, phones, computers, safety equipment Direct curriculum purchase costs 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 Application Instructions: Page 11 Cost of necessary off-site facilities Value of donated onsite facilities 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 Supplies & Operating Expenses Application Instructions: Page 11 Consumable items directly supporting instructional delivery: Training supplies like welding rods, nails, latex gloves, fuel Rental expenses for equipment (capital or not) Utilities required by the project Fair market value Pro-rated to portion used for training Directly related to training (NOT general overhead) No capital purchases or capital leases. Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match 12
Consultant/Contractual Application Instructions: Page 12 Consultant/Contractual costs directly related to the training program, but not directly related to curriculum development/instruction Examples: Pre-screening/recruiting applicants Should not include any curriculum development or instructional costs even if incurred through a contractual relationship Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match Travel, Meals & Lodging Application Instructions: Page 12 Costs directly incurred by instructors delivering training for a WFF grant program Exact costs only estimates may be budgeted Available only for Instructors not available for trainees Trainee travel, meals & lodging 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 Application Instructions: Page 12 Wages and benefits paid to trainees for their time in training May only be used as match Will require detail of payments to employees to document this match Allowed as: Match Only 13
Other Application Instructions: Page 12 Audit costs if requesting > $250,000 in grants with in a round or if under State Single Audit guidelines Costs for pre-screening, recruitment, and placement if necessary to the project Must clearly detail every cost in the other category and justify why it is necessary to the project Allowed as: WFF Request or Cash/In-Kind Match Grant Administrative Costs: Standard Method for Most Applicants Application Instructions: Page 13 Administrative Costs DIRECTLY related to the Grant 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. Offsets specific costs of the project and does NOT include general overhead Must be itemized and documented no percentages Allowed as: WFF Request (Up to 5% of project total) or Cash/In-Kind Match Grant Administrative Costs: For Pre-Approved Situations Application Instructions: Page 13 Administrative Costs allocated according to Cost Allocation Plan Is allowed for certain public & non-profit entities required to use cost allocation accounting. Will need to be specially requested and contracted Must be documented Allowed as: WFF Request (Up to 5% of project total) or Cash/In-Kind Match 14
Application Writing Tips Remember: Competitive Process Variety of Stakeholders Business Driven Trainee Outcomes State funds Provide details Use data when possible Don t be repetitive Complete all the sections Answer all the questions in each section Don t wait until the last minute App Tab 4: Project Needs Application Instructions Page 13 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 App Tab 5: Goals & Objectives Application Instructions Page 13 Economic Impact is focused on business & community Economic Opportunity is focused on trainee Training and Education Capacity is both local business as well as return to the state overall 15
App Tab 6: Design and Implementation Application Instructions Page 14 Eligibility should describe the minimum requirements for trainees Assessment should address how you will know if the trainees gained the necessary skills Trainee Program Monitoring is a good place to put the overall project timeline Read and answer all the questions App Tab 7: Contributing Partners Application Instructions Page 14-16 Detail each project partner s expected contributions Must have letters of commitment from ALL partners (other than the applicant) hiring or training trainees and/or providing match Can have letters of support Email letters to wisconsinfastforward@dwd.wisconsin.gov App Tab 8: Sign & Submit Application Instructions Page 14 & 17 Print and review application before submitting Read and Agree to the Terms and Conditions Enter signatory information and Hit Submit button - Submitting locks the application and you can not edit it Successful submission will result in an email if no email is recieved, check the application status on My Apps page and review the application to confirm submission If having difficulty submitting review each tab for red exclamation points and error messages Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on the due date 16
QUESTIONS Project Planning Shelly Harkins Shelly.Harkins@dwd.wisconsin.gov Application/Budget Sandra Hiebert Sandra.Hiebert@dwd.wisconsin.gov 17