WA · State Grant

Washington State Training Grants for Employers

Washington's state-funded training grant for employers is the Job Skills Program (JSP), run by SBCTC. It is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant paid to a college or other licensed training provider, which trains your workers while you cover half in cash or in-kind. Award limit is $600,000 per company per fiscal year. The FY27 Round 1 deadline was April 30, 2026, so ask SBCTC about later funding or the next spring round.

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State pre-filled: WA
Program type pre-filled: state_training_grant

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Call the training coordinator at a community or technical college
2
Plan the training and your match with the college
3
The college applies through SBCTC and signs an MOU with you
4
Train, document your match, and support the final report

2 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Washington money comes from.

Run by State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), Job Skills Program. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Job Skills Program (JSP): 1-for-1 matching training grant

$1 for $1 match, up to $600,000

ANNUAL ROUND, FY27 DEADLINE PASSED

WHAT YOU GET

In-kind: short-term, job-specific training for new or current workers, with state money covering half the cost.

HOW MUCH

JSP funds half of the training cost. You provide the other half in cash or in-kind. One company can receive up to $600,000 per fiscal year, and no more than two grants in 5 years. Businesses under $500,000 gross income must match at least trainee wages and benefits during training.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The educational institution receives the grant from SBCTC. The employer provides the match and receives the training.

WHO QUALIFIES

Private business or nonprofit that earns revenue in Washington, or a licensed public or nonprofit hospital
Trainees are Washington employees or work on site in Washington
Training for new hires, retraining, or upgrade of current staff
Government and tribal agencies cannot train their own staff with JSP; tribal profit-seeking enterprises can

Before you start: Yes. The college applies and SBCTC approves before work starts. You and the college sign a written agreement (MOU).

Customized Training Program (CTP): interest-free training loan with a B&O tax credit

Interest-free loan, 50% B&O credit

OPEN, ROLLING

WHAT YOU GET

In-kind: custom training up front, paid first by SBCTC. You repay the cost interest-free, and a state B&O tax credit returns 50% of each repayment.

HOW MUCH

You repay 100% of the training cost: 25% when training ends, the rest over 18 months. Credit equals 50% of each payment. Per-trainee limit is $3,000 for businesses with 50 or more positions in Washington and $6,000 for fewer than 50.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The college or licensed private career school receives the training funds from SBCTC. You receive the training, repay SBCTC, and take the tax credit.

WHO QUALIFIES

Private business located in, or newly relocating to, Washington
A Washington B&O taxpayer
An agreement with a public community or technical college, or a licensed Washington private vocational school
Short-term training, less than 12 months
Businesses with fewer than 50 employees get funding priority

Before you start: Yes. The college's concept is cleared with SBCTC staff first, and the approved project becomes a three-party contract (you, the college, SBCTC).

AVOID THESE

What gets Washington State Grant claims denied.

A project that does not meet at least one JSP purpose, such as new-hire training, retraining to avoid dislocation, or serving areas of high unemployment.
SOURCE: SBCTC.EDU
Match that is not matched by private sector dollars at the required level.
SOURCE: SBCTC.EDU
Using drug testing as a pre-screen for entry into the funded training.
SOURCE: SBCTC.EDU
Asking for a project that runs past the fiscal year. Carryover is not allowed.
SOURCE: SBCTC.EDU
Applying as a government or municipal agency.
SOURCE: SBCTC.EDU

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Washington State Grant questions.

Who gets the grant money?

The educational institution, not the employer. The college invoices SBCTC and you provide the match.

SOURCE: SBCTC.EDU

What can the money pay for?

Customized, short-term, job-specific training, including workplace basic skills such as reading, math and vocational English. Allowable costs include college staff time and instruction.

SOURCE: SBCTC.EDU

Is there a loan option instead of a grant?

Yes. The Customized Training Program is an interest-free loan with a 50% B&O credit as you repay. It takes applications year-round.

SOURCE: SBCTC.EDU

Can I get priority?

Priority may go to credential-bearing training, cluster industries, minority, women or veteran-owned businesses with certification, consortia, and cash contributions.

SOURCE: SBCTC.EDU

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.

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