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PA · Apprenticeship

Pennsylvania Apprenticeship Tax Credits and Employer Incentives Explained

Pennsylvania's steady apprenticeship money is the FIT grant from DCED: up to $3,000 per apprentice per year for up to three years, paid back to the program sponsor for classroom instruction. A single employer can be the sponsor, but the program must already be registered with the state. L&I also ran a competitive $4 million round, Apprenticeships on the Move, with proposals due October 2, 2026 at 4 PM ET; it is closed after that date, so watch the L&I grants page for a future round. Both pay by reimbursement after you spend.

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  • State pre-filled: PA
  • Program type pre-filled: apprenticeship_grant
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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

  1. 1

    Register your program with the state Apprenticeship and Training Office

  2. 2

    Apply for FIT in the Enterprise eGrants system with your certificate

  3. 3

    Train and pay for classroom instruction as planned

  4. 4

    Invoice DCED and get reimbursed

3 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Pennsylvania money comes from.

Run by PA DCED (FIT grant) and PA Department of Labor & Industry, Apprenticeship and Training Office. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grant

Up to $3,000 per apprentice per year
OPEN, ROLLING
WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of classroom instruction (related technical instruction) that goes with on-the-job learning: in-house instructor pay, books and materials, contracted instruction, and college credit courses tied to the trade. Admin up to 10% of direct costs.

HOW MUCH

Up to $3,000 per apprentice per year for up to three years. DCED's own example: 5 apprentices x $3,000 x 3 years + 10% admin = $49,500. Group models can cover up to 30 apprentices, with no more than 5 at one employer.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The program sponsor, by reimbursement. A single employer can be the sponsor, and the sponsor does not have to employ the apprentice.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Program is registered with the state Apprenticeship and Training Office (certificate attached)
  • Sponsor can be a single employer, employer group, workforce board, union, school or community group
  • Match is not required, but proposals with matching funds get higher priority
  • Covers classroom instruction only, not apprentice wages
Before you start: Yes. Register first, then apply. Money is paid only after you spend it and invoice DCED.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Complete the Registered Apprenticeship info request form to start registration
  2. 2Submit the FIT application online in the Enterprise eGrants system with your certificate
  3. 3After the commitment letter and grant contract, invoice on DCED's requisition form

Deadlines and windows: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis while funds last. Final invoice is due within 30 days of the contract close-out date.

SOURCE: DCED.PA.GOV

Apprenticeships on the Move (L&I grant)

$4M pool, competitive
APPLICATIONS CLOSED OCT 2, 2026
WHAT YOU GET

Funds to build a new registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship, or to expand an existing one. Priority goes to projects that fund on-the-job learning, classroom instruction and supportive services.

HOW MUCH

About $4,000,000 in total for all awards, 100% state funded. Award sizes vary. Performance period is planned for May 1, 2027 to April 30, 2030.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Awarded applicants, which can be businesses, industry groups, unions, schools or workforce boards. Paid on a reimbursement basis only.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Applicant is a sponsor or intermediary of a new or existing registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship
  • New programs must finish registration within one year of the contract start date
  • Applicants other than workforce boards must email their local workforce board about the application
  • Priority for previously unfunded programs
Before you start: Yes. Costs before the award are at your risk: L&I does not reimburse pre-award costs.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Read the notice of grant availability and its appendices on the L&I grants page
  2. 2Email the complete application to ATOGrants@pa.gov by the deadline
  3. 3Sign the workforce grant agreement if awarded

Deadlines and windows: Proposals were due October 2, 2026 at 4 PM ET. This was a competitive round, not rolling, and it is closed after that date. Watch the L&I grants page for any future round.

SOURCE: PA.GOV

WIOA On-the-Job Training with a registered apprenticeship sponsor

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

Partial reimbursement of an eligible apprentice's wages during the training period, through a contract with your local board.

HOW MUCH

Federal rule: typically up to 50% of the wage rate, up to 75% where the board documents why. Each board sets its own rates.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer or sponsor, by reimbursement from the local workforce board after a signed contract.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Apprentice is WIOA eligible and approved by the board
  • Board contract is with the employer or the registered apprenticeship sponsor
Before you start: Yes. The board contract must be signed before training is reimbursed.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Call your local PA CareerLink business services team
  2. 2Agree the apprentice and training plan, then sign the contract
  3. 3Invoice the board for the reimbursable wages

Deadlines and windows: Through your local board. No statewide deadline.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Northwest PA Job Connect (NWPA)

Its OJT policy skips the in-demand occupation list requirement when the training is a registered apprenticeship.

SOURCE: NWPAJOBCONNECT.ORG
AVOID THESE

What gets Pennsylvania Apprenticeship claims denied.

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Pennsylvania Apprenticeship questions.

Can a single employer apply for FIT?

Yes. Any sponsor of a registered program can apply, including a single employer. The sponsor does not need to employ the apprentice.

SOURCE: DCED.PA.GOV
Is there a FIT deadline?

No. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis while funds last. Awards depend on available funding.

SOURCE: DCED.PA.GOV
How do I get paid?

By reimbursement. You spend on eligible instruction, then invoice DCED with supporting documents.

SOURCE: DCED.PA.GOV
Does FIT pay apprentice wages?

No. It pays for classroom instruction that complements on-the-job learning. Wage help, if any, comes from a WIOA OJT contract with your local board.

SOURCE: DCED.PA.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.

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