NY · Customized

New York Customized Training Grants: A Practical Employer Guide

New York has no statewide WIOA customized training program you apply to directly. It runs through local workforce boards, and each sets its own terms. The best-documented program is New York City's Customized Training Grant, which reimburses up to 60% of training costs for NYC businesses, in grants of $10,000 to $400,000. Outside the city, boards such as Niagara County and Westchester-Putnam offer customized training where you pay a large share of the cost.

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State pre-filled: NY
Program type pre-filled: customized_training

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Check you meet your board's rules (NYC: for-profit, in business over a year, training 5+ employees)
2
Apply before any training starts and get an approved contract
3
Pay for the training and keep payroll and invoices
4
Submit documents for reimbursement, then show wage gains at close-out

3 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the New York money comes from.

Run by NYC Department of Small Business Services (NYC) and local workforce development boards (rest of state). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

NYC Customized Training Grant Program

Up to 60% of training costs, $10K to $400K

OPEN, SCHEDULED ROUNDS

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of part of training costs for current employees in four areas: new equipment or software, new services or products, advancement into hard-to-fill roles, and updating outdated skills.

HOW MUCH

Up to 60% of total training costs; grants of $10,000 to $400,000. FAQ (June 2023): employer contributes 40% if 124 or fewer employees, 50% if 125 or more.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, as reimbursement after paying training costs up front.

WHO QUALIFIES

Based in NYC, for-profit, operating more than one year
Train at least five employees (smaller firms can apply as a consortium)
Employees have one year to finish training
Employer must give wage increases after training

Before you start: Yes. Reimbursable training must fall inside the contract term; costs before the contract start date are not paid.

Niagara County Customized Training (WIOA, through WorkSourceOne)

Employer pays at least 50%

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of part of the extra cost of upgrading current employees' skills. Training must come from an outside provider.

HOW MUCH

Business pays not less than 50% of total cost. Eligible employee wages during training can count toward the business's 50%.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, as partial reimbursement of training costs for existing employees.

WHO QUALIFIES

Training raises in-demand skills of current employees
Must be delivered by an outside training provider, not your own staff
Complete the board's business application

Before you start: Yes. Applicants meet with the board and confirm current funding first.

Westchester-Putnam Business Sector Customized Training

Up to $50,000 per employer collaboration

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Help developing shared training with other employers in your industry.

HOW MUCH

Up to $50,000 per collaboration.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Not stated. The page says employers partner in an industry group; it does not say who is paid.

WHO QUALIFIES

Part of a four-year employer contract with the career centers
Collaboration with other employers in your industry

Before you start: Not stated. Call the career center before training.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Niagara County Employment & Training (WorkSourceOne)

Customized training for existing employees: employer pays at least 50%, training must be from an outside provider.

SOURCE: NIAGARACOUNTY.GOV

Westchester-Putnam career centers

Customized training is for groups of employers in one sector, up to $50,000 per collaboration, under a four-year employer contract.

SOURCE: WESTCHESTERPUTNAMONESTOP.COM

NYC Small Business Services

Combines city funding and federal WIOA funding; quarterly reimbursement.

SOURCE: NYC.GOV

AVOID THESE

What gets New York Customized claims denied.

Starting training, or incurring costs, outside the contract term (NYC).
SOURCE: NYC.GOV
Claiming legally required training (NYC).
SOURCE: NYC.GOV
Not giving wage increases after training. NYC holds back 20% of each quarterly payment until outcomes are met.
SOURCE: NYC.GOV
Training given by your own staff instead of an outside provider (Niagara).
SOURCE: NIAGARACOUNTY.GOV
Employer not paying a significant share of the cost (federal rule).
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

New York Customized questions.

Is there one statewide customized training program?

No. Federal WIOA rules let local boards fund customized training, and each New York board sets its own terms. NYC SBS runs the largest published program.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

Does the employer have to pay for the training?

Yes. Federal rules require the employer to pay a significant share, and in NYC you pay everything up front and are reimbursed quarterly.

SOURCE: NYC-BUSINESS.NYC.GOV

Do we have to promise jobs or raises?

Federal customized training requires a commitment to employ the trained person. NYC's program requires wage increases after training for current staff.

SOURCE: NYC-BUSINESS.NYC.GOV

Can a very small NYC business apply?

Yes, by joining a consortium with other businesses to reach the five-trainee minimum.

SOURCE: NYC-BUSINESS.NYC.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 NEW YORK

Reimbursa monitors workforce-reimbursement programs across every state and writes machine-checkable rules packs that prevent claim rejections. See membership pricing.