AZ · IWT

Arizona Incumbent Worker Training: How to Get Reimbursed for Upskilling

Arizona has no open state incumbent worker grant. The old Arizona Job Training Program, which also paid for current-employee training, no longer has funding (see the state training grant page). Today the route is WIOA incumbent worker training through your local ARIZONA@WORK board, for example the City of Phoenix. You pay a share of the training cost that rises with company size: at least 10% under 50 employees, 25% for 51 to 100, 50% above 100, per Arizona DES policy.

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State pre-filled: AZ
Program type pre-filled: incumbent_worker_training

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Contact your local ARIZONA@WORK business services team
2
Show how the training protects current jobs
3
Agree the cost split and sign the agreement
4
Train your staff and document costs for the board

1 VERIFIED PROGRAM

Where the Arizona money comes from.

Run by ARIZONA@WORK local workforce boards (Maricopa County, City of Phoenix, Pima County, Yavapai County and others), under Arizona DES policy. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

WIOA Incumbent Worker Training through your local ARIZONA@WORK board

10% to 50% employer share by size

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Part of the cost of training your current employees so they keep their jobs or you avoid layoffs.

HOW MUCH

Employer share under Arizona DES policy: at least 10% of total cost for fewer than 50 employees, 25% for 51 to 100, 50% for more than 100. A local area may reserve up to 20% of its adult and dislocated worker funds for this.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Local boards fund the training itself. Check with your board whether payment goes to the training provider or reimburses you.

WHO QUALIFIES

Training must help the workers keep their jobs or help you avoid layoffs
The employer commits to retain the trained workers or avert layoffs
The employee has 6 months or more of employment history with you, unless the board sets a different local rule or the group is a cohort
Board considers the training's link to your competitiveness, number trained and wages after training

Before you start: Yes. Apply and be approved by the board before the training starts.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

ARIZONA@WORK City of Phoenix

Offers IWT as a federally funded grant that pays for training of existing employees to avoid separation. Contact business.services@phoenix.gov.

SOURCE: ARIZONAATWORK.COM

ARIZONA@WORK Pima County

Works with companies to upgrade current workers' skills in key industries; customized training is split with the employer paying half. Confirm whether IWT funds are open.

SOURCE: PIMA.GOV

AVOID THESE

What gets Arizona IWT claims denied.

No commitment to keep the trained workers or avoid layoffs.
SOURCE: DES.AZ.GOV
Training that is not designed to retain skilled workers or avert layoffs.
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Trainees who do not meet the 6-month employment history, unless they are in a cohort where most do.
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Not paying the employer's share of the cost.
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Arizona IWT questions.

How much do I have to pay toward IWT in Arizona?

Under Arizona DES policy, at least 10% of total cost if you have fewer than 50 employees, at least 25% for 51 to 100 employees, and at least 50% for more than 100.

SOURCE: DES.AZ.GOV

Is there a state grant for training current employees?

Not one that is open. The Arizona job training fund could not be committed after December 31, 2020, and its remaining money went to the general fund by June 30, 2022.

SOURCE: AZLEG.GOV

Who counts as an incumbent worker?

Someone who is employed and has 6 months or more of history with you. A cohort can include newer staff if most of the group meets the 6-month rule. Boards set their own definitions within that.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

How much of a local area's money can go to IWT?

A local area may reserve up to 20% of its combined adult and dislocated worker funds for incumbent worker training, so funds can run out.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN ARIZONA

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