Employers

One-the-Job Training (OJT)

With OJT, employers can cut the cost of hiring and training workers in half. OJT reimburses directly to employers half of a trainee’s gross wages for the duration of the training period. OJT is a program of the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA). OJT employers use their own system to teach trainees the new skills necessary for successful permanent employment within their companies.

Benefits:

• Employers get pre-screened applicants
• Up to 50% reimbursement of the trainee’s wage rate during the training period
• Prompt monthly payments with a minimum of paperwork
• Trained and professional OJT Representatives to assist through all phases of the OJT program
• Employers can combine OJT with other incentives, such as Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
• Programs can be developed for most skilled and semi-skilled jobs

Contact: Mary Mann, Workforce Centers of South Central Kansas

Incumbent Worker Training Program

The Incumbent Worker Training Program provides grants to employers to assist with certain expenses associated with skills upgrade training for full-time employees of the company.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Address a strategy to avoid a significant layoff
• Identify a model that will make Kansas’ current or future workforce more competitive
• Allow employees to achieve significant upgrade in skills
• Operate industries or programs that have been targeted by the Local Workforce Investment Board
• Address a significant occupational demand, and/or
• Demonstrate strong partnerships with a Local Workforce Investment Board in the identification, development and delivery of the project

Contact: Amanda Duncan, Workforce Centers of South Central Kansas

Kansas Apprenticeship Act Tax Credit

This act establishes an incentive fund for eligible employers that employs a qualified apprentice, pursuant to a registered apprenticeship agreement and in accordance with a registered apprenticeship plan for at least all or a portion of the probationary period, as defined for that apprenticeship in the registered apprenticeship program standards, work process schedule otherwise known as appendix A or as designated by the Secretary of Commerce. More details at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/prtaxcredits-apprenticeship.html
Contact: Melody Head, Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas 

Child Day Care Assistance Credit

The child day care assistance credit is designed to encourage businesses to purchase or provide child care services for their employees' children or to provide services in assisting the employees in locating child care for their children. Businesses that provide this service are entitled to a credit against their income tax or privilege tax liability.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit  

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit helps people move from welfare to work and gain on-the-job experience by encouraging private employers to hire within one of several targeted groups of job candidates who traditionally face significant barriers to employment, reducing employer’s federal income tax liability for qualified new workers in the first year of employment.

Contact: Ashla Stowe, Kansas Department of Commerce
 

Registered Apprenticeship

Registered Apprenticeship is poised to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce. Registered Apprenticeship is education and training that allows businesses to respond immediately to rapidly changing economic conditions, including the need for skilled workers in many industries. Registered Apprenticeship trains more workers for high-skilled, high-wage careers than any other public workforce investment program in the nation, and at a fraction of the cost.

Contact: Melody Head, Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas 

Kansas Industrial Training Program (KIT)

The KIT program may be used to assist firms involved in both pre-employment and on-the-job training. Pre-employment training may be used to allow the company and prospective employees an opportunity to evaluate one another before making employment commitments.

Prospective employees are given the knowledge and specific skills necessary for job entry. On-the-job training is conducted after hiring. Trainees may receive instruction on the company’s own production equipment on the plant floor or on similar machinery in a classroom setting.

Contact: Wiley Smith, Kansas Department of Commerce

Kansas Industrial Retraining Program (KIR)

The KIR program is a job retention tool that helps employees of restructuring companies who are likely to be displaced because of obsolete or inadequate job skills and knowledge.

Eligible industries include basic enterprises that are restructuring operations through incorporation of new technology, diversification of production, or the development and implementation of new production activities. At least one current employee must be trained to qualify for assistance.

Contact: Wiley Smith, Kansas Department of Commerce