Wisconsin Customized Training Grants: A Practical Employer Guide

Training built around your special requirements, partly funded by WIOA, for people you commit to hire.

Federal and state rules set no percentage. The employer pays a significant cost, as defined by the local board, with size of employer and other factors considered.

Varies by board. Customized training is usually classroom training bought from a third-party provider, with the employer paying a significant share.

• Training designed for the special requirements of one employer or group of employers
• Employer commits to employ individuals who complete the training, under a contract with the board
• Mainly for people not yet working for you; employed workers only for new technology, new procedures or job upgrades

Customized instruction for current employees at lower cost, delivered by a Wisconsin technical college, for one business or a consortium of businesses.

State pool of $5,000,000 for 2025-26, with up to $4,500,000 for general business and up to $600,000 for small business. Each college application is $2,500 to $200,000. No per-employer rate is published.

The technical college district, not the employer. The employer receives discounted or funded customized training from the college and still pays costs the grant does not cover.

• Established Wisconsin business with current employees to upskill
• Training focuses on occupational skills
• Only technical college districts and consortia can apply to WTCS
• Employer funds indirect and other non-allowable training costs

Reimbursement of customized occupational training costs such as instructor pay, curriculum work, contracted trainers and materials, for unemployed, underemployed and current workers.

Awards range from $5,000 to $400,000 per grantee; a consortium lead may ask for more. You match 50% of the award in cash or in-kind. In June 2026 DWD awarded $2,412,209 to 17 employers.

The grantee, by reimbursement. An employer can be the applicant and use an in-house or outside trainer. Trainee wages cannot be charged to the grant.

• Open to all industry sectors and companies of any size
• The application must include at least one Wisconsin employer with an unmet skilled-worker need
• Unemployed trainees: hired and kept at least 14 days after training. Underemployed: more hours or duties. Current workers: a wage increase
• Grantees must reach 85% training completion, 65% placement, 75% raises for current workers and 75% certification where offered