Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program

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Ohio has recently announced details of the Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program.  This program provides reimbursement of 50% of qualified employee training costs up to $4,000 per employee.  This program is designed to provide financial assistance to help Ohio employers train their employees and improve their economic competitiveness.

The program is limited to $20 Million in reimbursements.  Registration for participation in the Program opened on January 7th and is on a first come, first served basis.  So it is important not to delay.  You need to get your Application submitted as soon as possible.

Program Requirements:

In order for training costs to be eligible for reimbursement under the Program, the following requirements must be met:

1.  Eligible Training Costs.  Training will only be considered for the Program if the Application is submitted at least 30 days prior to the start date of the training.  Training must start after you file your Application and must be completed by June 30, 2013.  The training costs must relate to the employee’s current position or future advancement with the employer, but may be:

(a)    Classes, either non-credit or credit, at an accredited education institution;

(b)   Training that leads to an industry recognized certificate;

(c)    Training provided in conjunction with the purchase of a new piece of equipment;

(d)   Upgrade of computer skills;

(e)    Training for the ICD-10-CM/PCS diagnostics classification system (regardless of whether the employee works for a for-profit or non-profit employer);

(f)    Training from a national, regional, or state trade association that offers an independently certified training curriculum and testing; and Training for improved process efficiency (e.g. ISO-9000, Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing).

2.  Ineligible Training Costs.  The following training costs are not eligible under the Program:

(a)    Continuing Education Units (CEUs) required for continued professional certification;

(b)   Soft Skills (e.g. diversity, ethics, HR law, management and leadership, sexual harassment, etc.);

(c)    Training which is reimbursed/required by other public agencies or departments (e.g. OSHA, Worker’s Compensation);

(d)   General Equivalency Diploma (GED);

(e)    Profit-oriented courses (e.g. sales, marketing research, and Dale Carnegie trainings);

(f)    Conference fees;

(g)   Wages of trainees while being trained; and

(h)   Travel costs.

3.  Eligible Employers.  The employer must be in one of the following industries:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Aerospace and Aviation
• Automotive
• BioHealth
• Corporate Headquarters
• Energy
• Financial Services
• Food Processing
• Information Technology and Services
• Polymers and Chemicals

4.  Eligible Employees.  The employee  is someone who is directly employed by the company at a facility located within Ohio and meets all of the following requirements:

(a)    Employed in any of the following business functions: production, back office operations, information technology, logistics, or research and development;

(b)   Earning an hourly wage of at least 150 percent of the federal minimum wage ($10.88 as of January 1, 2012) plus benefits;

(c)    An Ohio resident;

(d)   At least 18 years of age; and

(e)   Working at least 25 hours per week.


For more information or to complete an on-line Application, you can go to the Ohio Development Services website at: http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_wtvp.htm or contact Shannon Vanderpool, Business Services Coordinator at (614) 644-8560 or Shannon.Vanderpool@development.ohio.gov.  Please call or contact me at Jsenney@pselaw.com or 937-223-1130 if you have any more questions or need assistance.

AND ONE MORE THING.  The 2012 Taxpayer Relief Act will prevent many of the tax hikes that were scheduled to go into effect this year and retain many favorable tax breaks that were scheduled to expire, but will also increase income taxes for some high-income individuals and slightly increase transfer tax rates from 2012 levels. Further, the Act extends a host of expired and expiring tax breaks for businesses and individuals, and also adds a number of new provisions to the Code.  More about this will be coming out in a future blog.  Call me at Jsenney@pselaw.com or 937-223-1130 if you have questions and can’t wait.