Oklahoma Workforce Funding Advisors

Program Qualifications

On‑the‑Job Training (OJT)

Reimburses up to 50% of eligible wages during a structured training period when hiring or upgrading a role.

Employer: Main Qualifications

  • Legitimate employer with EIN; active worksite; Workers’ Compensation; safe and sanitary workplace.
  • Permanent job, generally 32+ hrs/week (COWIB), with a written job description; not seasonal/temporary.
  • Role requires real training (typically SVP ≥ 3). No displacement of current staff; no strike/lockout positions.
  • Not a relocating establishment causing layoffs in the past 120 days; no pattern of failing to retain OJTs.
  • Comparable wages (≥ minimum wage); union concurrence if applicable; intent to retain upon successful completion.
  • Structured training plan with measurable skills; maintain payroll/time records; allow monitoring/audits.
  • OJT agreement must be fully executed before the employee starts.

Employee: High‑Level Qualifications

  • Meets WIOA eligibility (Adult/Dislocated Worker/Youth) with assessment, career planning, and IEP/ISS naming OJT.
  • Documented skills gap aligned to the training plan for the OJT occupation.
  • Employed‑worker OJT: must upgrade to a new, higher‑skill position with a wage increase; typically below self‑sufficiency pre‑OJT per local policy.
Quick Limits & Notes: Up to 1,040 training hours (≈ 26 weeks), adjusted for prior experience and occupation. Reimbursement up to 50% of wages up to . Overtime, if paid, is reimbursed only at the regular rate portion.

Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)

Upskills current employees to retain jobs, avert layoffs, and improve competitiveness. Covers training costs (not wages).

Employer: Main Qualifications

  • Cost Share Requirements:
    • ≤ 50 employees: ≥ 10%
    • 51–100 employees: ≥ 25%
    • 101+ employees: ≥ 50% (wages paid during training may count toward match)
  • Training Alignment: Training aligns to in-demand occupations and leads to skill gains/credentials; target wage growth (≥ 5% post-training expected).
  • Establishment Criteria: Not a relocating establishment causing layoffs in the past 120 days; current on UI/Workers’ Comp taxes or payment plan.
  • Quality Assurance: Quality training plan; maintain records; follow EO/non-discrimination; allow monitoring.
  • Training Scope: Not for providing new-hire occupational training.

Employee: High‑Level Qualifications

  • Employed; FLSA employer‑employee relationship; typically 6+ months with employer (for cohorts, a majority must meet 6‑month rule).
  • Earns less than $26/hour (≤ $54,080 annually) at application; resides in COWIB’s 9‑county area.
  • Not subject to full WIOA Adult/DW criteria unless receiving other WIOA services; must register in OKJobMatch (employer provides up to 1 hour paid time).
Funding Caps (COWIB): Max $10,000 per project and $5,000 per participant; project length ≤ 12 months. Allowable costs include instructor wages/tuition, materials, textbooks, training software, trainer travel (if necessary), online training, and skills assessments tied to training. In‑house company trainers and equipment purchases are not allowable.

Individual Training Accounts (ITA)

Pays training costs (tuition, books, exams) with Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) programs; often paired with OJT.

Employer: Main Qualifications

  • No employer contract required. If combined with OJT, costs must be coordinated to avoid duplication.

Participant: High‑Level Qualifications

  • Eligible Adult, Dislocated Worker, or Out‑of‑School Youth.
  • Assessment, career planning, and IEP/ISS demonstrating need and ability to succeed in the chosen ETPL program.
  • Training linked to local/regional in‑demand occupations; choose provider from the State ETPL.
  • Coordinate other aid via COTF (e.g., FAFSA/Pell as applicable); WIOA supplements unmet need; loans are not required.
  • Provide required documentation (ETPL details, demand-occupation evidence, cost breakdown, enrollment, billing, transcripts/grades as required).
Funding Limits (COWIB): Up to 24 months; lifetime max $10,000 per participant (shorter programs generally ≤ $5,000). Payments may be incremental via vouchers; modifications allowed for documented hardship within policy limits.
CDL Note: Must pass DOT physical and drug screen; DUI or recent moving violations may disqualify unless a valid pre‑hire letter is obtained.