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How Arizona OJT Reimbursement Actually Works for Employers

Arizona has no state-funded OJT program. OJT runs through the local ARIZONA@WORK boards under federal WIOA rules. You hire an eligible person, sign a contract with your board before training starts, and the board reimburses part of the trainee's wages while they learn the job. The federal rule is typically up to 50% of wages, and up to 75% where the board documents its reasons. Pima County advertises up to 50%.

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  • State pre-filled: AZ
  • Program type pre-filled: OJT
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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

  1. 1

    Call your local ARIZONA@WORK business services team

  2. 2

    Agree the new hire, job and training plan

  3. 3

    Sign the OJT contract before training starts

  4. 4

    Pay the trainee and invoice the board for the reimbursement

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 On-the-Job Training through your local ARIZONA@WORK board

Up to 50% of wages, 75% in documented cases
THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD
WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of part of the trainee's wages for the training period. You do not have to document your actual training costs.

HOW MUCH

Federal rule: typically up to 50% of wages, up to 75% in limited cases the board documents. Arizona DES policy repeats the 50% limit and tells each board to set its own policy for going to 75%. Pima County advertises up to 50%. Yavapai County's 2022 plan update (a public comment draft) says its OJT match ranges from 50% to 75%. City of Phoenix offers OJT but publishes no rate.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, as wage reimbursement. The employer pays the trainee as usual.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • The trainee must be WIOA eligible and approved by the board
  • The contract runs only as long as the trainee needs to become proficient in the job
  • Boards will not contract with an employer that has a pattern of not keeping past OJT trainees on as regular employees
  • Pay, benefits and conditions must match other employees doing similar work
Before you start: Yes. A signed OJT contract with your board must be in place before training starts.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Contact the employer services team at your local ARIZONA@WORK board
  2. 2Agree the trainee, occupation and training plan, then sign the OJT contract
  3. 3Pay the trainee, then submit time records and invoices to the board as the contract requires

Deadlines and windows: No state application window. Contracts are written case by case and depend on your board's funding.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

ARIZONA@WORK Pima County (Tucson)

Advertises wage reimbursement of up to 50% for selected positions, based on certain criteria.

SOURCE: PIMA.GOV
Yavapai County workforce board

Its 2022 plan update (a draft released for public comment) says the OJT match can range from 50% to 75%, based on job complexity and trainee skills. Confirm the current rate with the board.

SOURCE: NACOG.ORG
ARIZONA@WORK City of Phoenix

Offers OJT as federally funded grant dollars for local employers; no reimbursement rate is published. Contact business.services@phoenix.gov.

SOURCE: ARIZONAATWORK.COM
AVOID THESE

What gets Arizona OJT claims denied.

  • Training that starts before the OJT contract is signed with the board.
    SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
  • A pattern of not keeping past OJT trainees on as regular employees.
    SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
  • Asking for more than 50% without the board's documented reasons for a higher rate.
    SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
  • A contract that runs longer than the trainee needs to become proficient.
    SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Arizona OJT questions.

How much of a new hire's wages will an Arizona board reimburse?

Typically up to 50%, and up to 75% when the board documents why, such as employer size or the trainee's barriers. Each local board sets its own policy. Pima County advertises up to 50%.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Do I have to prove what the training cost me?

No. The payment is treated as compensation for the extra cost of training and lower productivity, so you do not document those costs. You do document hours and wages.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Does Arizona run its own OJT program?

No state-run OJT program was found. ARIZONA@WORK's statewide employer page describes OJT as a reimbursement for staff in productive work while they train, delivered through the local boards.

SOURCE: ARIZONAATWORK.COM
How long can an OJT contract last?

Only as long as the trainee needs to become proficient in the occupation. The board considers the job's skill level and the trainee's prior experience.

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 . 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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