Why are some companies and organizations more successful than others in obtaining training and other types of grants? Some of the best practices for successful grant applications were outlined in a recent workshop sponsored by the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board. They include:
Is this a good fit? Take a close look at the grant's mission statement
and goals to see if your own employer's mission matches well.
Do you have enough time? Applicants spend an average of 40 hours to prepare a Workforce Training Fund general application. Other grants may require even more time, so don't wait until the last minute!
Is there management support? A "buy in" from the CEO and management greatly improves your ability to gather information for the grant application and successfully implement a program.
Do you have a team in place? Don't try to write the grant by yourself if at all possible. Develop a team that represents the entire company or organization, from front line workers to senior management, including individuals who can best champion the cause and provide the necessary quantitative and qualitative information for the application. A team approach is particularly effective for the Workforce Training Fund and can also be useful in providing feedback for all types of grants, from the initial application through the implementation process to the final evaluation.
Do you have a convincing story to tell? When you're competing with others for funds, a well-written story can make the difference. Use a good writer, and assume that the people reading your application do not know anything about your company or organization.
Can you talk about what's not working? Give convincing examples to justify why you need the funds. Be realistic and honest.
Are you following directions? This is critically important. Using the wrong type size or including too many pages can have a negative impact on your application.
Are you starting from scratch? Most grants provide samples of successful grant applications to serve as a guide. Samples can also reveal the more subtle strategies and language usage that makes an application stand out.
Are there measurable goals? Nearly all grants look for quantitative measures of success in terms of numbers and percentages. This can include increased sales or profitability, reduced turnover, development of training manuals, and standard operating procedures. For more qualitative areas, such as soft skills training, improving employee morale, or the development of internal coaching programs, a climate survey can provide a numeric measure of success. Another valuable resource to help you articulate realistic outcomes and measures of success is the training or program implementation provider.
The $18 million Workforce Training Fund was established in 1998 and is operated by the Division of Employment & Training. Technical assistance is available at no charge from Johanna Hall, who facilitated the Training Grant workshop and serves as the western Massachusetts regional coordinator for the Commonwealth Corporation's Applicant Assistance Program. Any Massachusetts employer that contributes to the Unemployment Fund is eligible to apply for the three programs outlined below:
The General Program provides $2,000 to $250,000 in training grants to employers, employer organizations, labor organizations, and training providers. Companies of any size are eligible to apply. Employers must pledge matching funds, but the funds can be in the form of benefits & wages paid to employees during training, materials, equipment, and other in-kind donations. Applications for these grants are more detailed. The next deadline is July 8. Deadlines are three times per year.
The Technical Assistance Program provides up to $25,000 in technical assistance grants to industry associations, labor organizations, community colleges, and regional employment boards to conduct needs assessments and help design training curriculums. Application requirements and deadlines are the same as for the General Program.
The Express Program provides up to $15,000 per year to employers with a maximum of 50 employees in Massachusetts, and to labor organizations. It offers an easy-to-complete application, open application period, online database of training providers, and a 21-day turn-around grant decision. Employers must pay at least 50% of the total cost of training with a cash contribution.
For more information regarding the Workforce Training Fund program, contact the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board at 442-7177, visit the Workforce Training Fund website at www.detma.org/workforce, or contact Johanna Hall at 413-259-1870 or jhall@commcorp.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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