WI · State Grant

Wisconsin State Training Grants for Employers

Wisconsin Fast Forward is the state's main employer training grant. DWD reimburses customized training costs for unemployed, underemployed and current workers, with awards of $5,000 to $400,000 and a 50% match. The current round closes at 3 p.m. Central on Oct. 5, 2026. WisTRAIN, a federally funded DWD grant for advanced manufacturing and AI training, held its first round in 2026. Technical colleges also hold WAT grants for employer training.

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Read the Grant Program Announcement and rubric, and register for a MyWisconsin ID
2
Line up an employer partner, trainer and signed letters of commitment showing your match
3
Submit the online application before the deadline
4
If awarded, sign the contract, train within 90 days, then claim reimbursement

3 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Wisconsin money comes from.

Run by Wisconsin DWD Office of Skills Development. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Wisconsin Fast Forward standard worker training grant (DWD Office of Skills Development)

$5,000 to $400,000, with a 50% match

APPLICATIONS CLOSE OCT 5, 2026

WHAT YOU GET

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

HOW MUCH

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.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

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.

WHO QUALIFIES

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

Before you start: Yes. Costs count only inside the project period, which begins after the contract is fully signed. Training must start within 90 days of signing.

WisTRAIN: advanced manufacturing and AI training grant (DWD)

Up to 80% of costs, $6,600 per trainee

ROUND 1 CLOSED JULY 13, 2026

WHAT YOU GET

Up to 80% of eligible training costs for new hires or current workers in advanced manufacturing, AI and related fields. You pay up front.

HOW MUCH

Up to 80% of eligible costs: 70% after the trainee completes training, 10% after six months of retained employment. Cap of $6,600 per trainee and $330,000 per employer or consortium. $6.6 million in total.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer (or the lead employer of a consortium), by reimbursement. DWD does not pay training providers directly.

WHO QUALIFIES

Wisconsin employer of any size, registered with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Training must relate to advanced manufacturing, AI or related emerging fields
No WARN or Wisconsin mass layoff notice in the past six months
Schools and training firms cannot be the lead applicant

Before you start: Yes. Costs before the signed grant agreement are not reimbursed.

Workforce Advancement Training (WAT) grants, through your technical college

College-held grants, up to $200,000 per project

THROUGH YOUR TECHNICAL COLLEGE

WHAT YOU GET

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

HOW MUCH

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.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

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.

WHO QUALIFIES

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

Before you start: Yes. The college applies for you and training starts after award, expected within 90 days.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

DWD Office of Skills Development

In June 2026 DWD awarded $2,412,209 to 17 employers to train more than 1,000 workers in agriculture, construction, health care, manufacturing and transportation.

SOURCE: DWD.WI.GOV

AVOID THESE

What gets Wisconsin State Grant claims denied.

Training or spending before the contract is fully signed.
SOURCE: WISCONSINFASTFORWARD.COM
Charging trainee wages, stipends or fringe benefits to the grant.
SOURCE: WISCONSINFASTFORWARD.COM
Missing the 90-day window to begin training after the contract.
SOURCE: WISCONSINFASTFORWARD.COM
Not hitting outcomes: completion, placement, raises and certifications.
SOURCE: DWD.WI.GOV
WisTRAIN: filing a layoff notice in the past six months.
SOURCE: DWD.WISCONSIN.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Wisconsin State Grant questions.

Can an employer apply directly?

Yes. The employer may be the applicant and use an in-house or outside trainer. Every Fast Forward application must include at least one Wisconsin employer.

SOURCE: WISCONSINFASTFORWARD.COM

How much match do I need?

The standard grant requires cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the award. Match is shown in signed letters of commitment.

SOURCE: WISCONSINFASTFORWARD.COM

What outcomes must I reach?

DWD's minimums are 85% of participants complete training, 65% gain employment, 75% of current workers get raises and 75% of those in certificate courses are certified.

SOURCE: DWD.WI.GOV

When is the next round?

The standard grant page lists an Oct. 5, 2026 deadline for the current round. The same page also says to check back for the next opportunity, so confirm with DWD or sign up for its mailing list.

SOURCE: WISCONSINFASTFORWARD.COM

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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