Strategic Workforce Training Support

The Strategic Workforce Training Support grant opportunity, issued by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), provides funding to expand workforce training programs for Illinois-based manufacturers. The funding is designed to support structured, job-specific educational programming aimed at improving the productivity, safety, and technical skill levels of full-time employees working in manufacturing environments. This program supplements the existing Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP), which already receives high demand. Through this initiative, the State aims to bolster local manufacturing by helping companies train and retain employees, thereby growing their business capacity and ensuring alignment with modern industry standards. The program intends to serve both large and small manufacturers across all regions of Illinois. It emphasizes inclusivity by supporting entities that already participate in ETIP multi-company training and serve both small and large businesses. Notably, to qualify, applicants must be non-profit business or industry associations based in Illinois that have used at least 80% of their FY2026 ETIP funds. The grantee is expected to support at least 75 participating manufacturers and provide training for approximately 14,000 full-time employees—comprising 2,000 new trainees and 12,000 existing staff—by the end of the award period. This grant may be used to reimburse up to 50% of actual training costs incurred by participating companies, while the remaining expenses must be covered by those companies. Reimbursable activities are limited to eligible non-capital costs, including personal services and participant training services. All expenses must fall within defined training categories, and grantees must submit proof of training completion and matching contributions by participating employers. Costs incurred as early as July 1, 2025, are considered eligible if they precede the grant execution date. The application process is entirely electronic. Applicants must submit a complete package through a Smartsheet form provided in the NOFO by the March 19, 2026, 5:00 PM deadline. Required components include a uniform grant application, budget (with all tabs), signed conflict of interest and disclosure forms, a program application, workforce training schedules, and a statement of SFY26 activity including pending reimbursements and training site geography. Applications are reviewed competitively based on criteria such as demonstrated need, capacity, and program quality. Scoring emphasizes prior ETIP utilization, current demand for reimbursements, statewide reach, and proven training delivery capabilities. The grant will fund a single award of up to $2,000,000. Indirect costs are allowed, and no matching requirement is imposed on the grantee organization itself, but a match is required from participating entities receiving reimbursement. The performance period runs from March 15, 2026, through June 30, 2026. Applications will be evaluated after the submission deadline, with successful applicants receiving a Notice of State Award (NOSA). Grantees are required to submit quarterly performance and financial reports, and the program is subject to monitoring and audit under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. The grant is a one-time opportunity with no recurring funding guarantee.

Must show 80% ETIP fund use and statewide reach to be competitive; 25+ participating companies and 1000+ FTEs trained enhances application