Workforce development resources for the citizens and business community of Polk County, Florida

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Training Awards & Resources

Polk Works can help you determine if your company qualifies for any of the following training or tax credit programs to strengthen your workforce. 

Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) - Expense reimbursement grants for customized skills upgrade training are available to existing for profit Florida businesses. Businesses with 25 or fewer employees receive priority and, as with the Quick Response Training Program, priority is given to businesses in targeted industries and in distressed urban and rural parts of Florida.

Quick Response Training Program (QRT) - This program provides grant funding for customized training for new or expanding businesses that produce an exportable product or service. Companies must be creating full-time, high-quality jobs requiring specialized training that is not available in the local community. Priority is given to businesses in targeted industries and in distressed urban and rural areas of Florida. Through this customer-driven program, Florida is able to effectively retain and attract businesses creating new high-quality jobs.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit - The Work Opportunity Tax Credit offers a financial incentive to private, for-profit employers to hire individuals from certain targeted groups, who experience high rates of unemployment due to a variety of employment barriers.

Competitive Edge Training Award (CETA) - Florida companies may be able to receive local funding assistance for skills upgrade training for their employed workers. Competitive Edge Training Award (CETA) is a locally funded resource with guidelines established by each of Florida's individual regional workforce board. CETA may be used to meet many industry or company-specific training requirements.

Businesses may become more competitive by providing their employees new skills that may lead to greater productivity. New skills for employees may also result in career advancement opportunities for the individual.

CETA is a flexible program designed to provide financial assistance to employers that recognize the importance of investing in their employees. Workforce research shows that employees value the opportunity to acquire new skills which will lead to increased productivity and impact your bottom line.

Benefits:

  • Up to 50% of your direct training costs are reimbursed by Polk Works
  • You have the flexibility to choose your own trainer and curriculum (or training course)
  • We will assist you in applying for all the training awards which you are eligible

Investing in training your employees typically results in:

  • Improved company efficiency
  • Increased employee retention
  • Heightened employee morale
  • Better-trained employees resulting in an increase in productivity 
    Competitive Edge Training awards are limited and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Links

CETA Application (Please contact the Business Services Unit at (863) 508-1600 ext. 1102)
CETA External Training Vendor Information
CETA Guidelines
CETA Internal Training Vendor Information
Targeted Occupations List 08-09