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Colorado knows successful businesses rely on well-trained employees, and the Colorado
FIRST and Existing Industry programs provide training incentives to improve employment
opportunities for Coloradoans and enhance Colorado’s competitive position among
states. Authorized by the General Assembly in 1984, the Colorado FIRST Customized
Training Program assists primary industry employers with short-term, fast-track
training. In 1989, the Existing Industry Program was created to maintain the competitiveness
of the existing industrial base and provide job security for Colorado workers. Since
the inception of Colorado’s customized job training programs, more than 590 companies
of all sizes have benefited from the programs and over 47,000 Coloradoans have been
trained.
The programs are administered jointly by the Colorado Office of Economic Development
& International Trade (OED) and the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).
This partnership strengthens the programs’ goal to promote and encourage the expansion
and well-being of existing Colorado companies and to attract new businesses to Colorado.
Colorado First
- Incentive Program - This Program is designed for companies who are relocating to
Colorado or are undertaking a major expansion. Local Economic Development organizations
work with OED to identify eligible companies. Grants are usually funded based on
the number and quality of jobs created. Grants are administered by the community
colleges.
- Competitive Grants - Companies adding a significant number of new full-time jobs
to their workforce may apply for Colorado FIRST funds by creating a training plan
and application with their local community college. There are several grant periods
throughout the year.
Existing Industry
- Existing Industry grants are designed for Colorado companies who are implementing
new technology to remain competitive and keep jobs in Colorado. The application
process is the same as for competitive Colorado FIRST grants. Small and medium sized
manufacturing companies are a priority target for Existing Industry grant funds.
The company determines the goals and objectives of the training.
The company knows its individual business and human resource needs. Productivity,
profitability, expanding in location or size, and meeting competition are all goals
that may be achieved with Colorado FIRST and Existing Industry grant program assistance.
The company controls training content and delivery.Training
programs must be designed and implemented with the direct cooperation and approval
of the participating company. Although partnerships with community colleges are
encouraged, the company may choose to use its own trainers or third-party consultants
as well. Training can be implemented pre-employment or post-employment and can occur
in the company’s own facilities or at the community college.
Most direct training costs are eligible for reimbursement.
These include:
- Instructor wages, travel and per diem allowances;
- Development of curriculum and instructional materials;
- Purchase of consumable training supplies;
- Lease of training equipment and lease of training space (when not available at the
company's permanent site or community college/area vocational school).
Paperwork and red tape are minimal. All grants
are applied for, coordinated, administered and monitored by local community colleges
or area vocational schools to keep the company's paperwork burden to a minimum.
Company confidentiality is maintained. OED, CCCS
and local administrators hold all of the company's proprietary information confidential.
The employer decides whom to train. Participating
companies determine which employees will be targeted for training. In the Colorado
FIRST program, participating companies may use grant funds to train prospective
employees and are under no obligation to hire training program graduates. Screening
of applicants can be conducted by the company, the community college or workforce
development centers.
Existing Industry addresses the challenges of technological
advancement. When technology changes threaten a company’s competitive
edge, Existing Industry retraining can immediately boost productivity and allow
the company to meet the challenge of a changing market. Capital investment in new
equipment is enhanced by the new skills employees will receive.
- Training funds must target full-time, primary (dollar-importing) jobs that have
significant career opportunities and require substantial instruction. Part-time,
seasonal, retail and tourism jobs are not eligible.
- Preference will be given training projects that are located in lagging economic
regions that demonstrate a strong company commitment and teach technical, transferable
skills.
- Training is provided only for jobs that pay above minimum wage and for which health
benefits are provided. Priority is given to companies that pay a minimum of $7.00
per hour in rural areas of the state (defined as non-entitlement areas by the Department
of Housing and Urban Development), and $8.50 per hour in large urban areas along
the Front Range. Such jobs generate the needed return on tax dollars invested and
help to reduce the ranks of Coloradoans on public assistance programs. Minimum wage
requirements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Community colleges or area vocational school facilities and resources must be used
whenever they meet the company’s training requirements and standards, and training
must not duplicate existing course offerings of Colorado state supported educational
institutions.
- Participating companies are expected to contribute money and resources to help train
their own employees. The company’s financial investment demonstrates the company’s
commitment to its own workforce and eliminates frivolous grant applications.
Colorado FIRST will not fund 100 percent of project training costs;
participating companies must contribute at least 40 percent of direct training costs.
Grant funds may not be used to pay wages or stipends to trainees.
- Training sessions are designed to be job-specific and short-term, lasting only until
the start-up, expansion, or retraining needs of the company are satisfied. These
programs do not assist companies with normal continuing education requirements.
- Colorado FIRST grants will not be considered for Colorado companies relocating within
the state, unless it is part of an overall expansion that will create new jobs.
- For Existing Industry grants, priority will be given to situations where training
may prevent imminent layoffs or otherwise enhance worker retention.
- Prior to any funding commitments, a review of financial information shall be required
for companies seeking grants. The state and college hold such information confidential.
In general, the program is not to be used as a measure to prevent the closure of
businesses adversely affected by market conditions.
- The grant process is competitive and eligibility does not constitute an
agreement to award nor a funding level commitment. These funds are subject
to annual State legislative appropriations.
- A final report is required of the company within 30 days of completion. Companies
may be required to return all or a portion of the grant if they fail to create the
jobs for which the grant was made. The final report shall include information confirming
the completion of goals and objectives sought in the grant. Final payment will not
be made until the final report is received and approved by the State.
If you believe your company may be eligible for Colorado FIRST or Existing Industry
Job Training funds, please contact your local community college, economic development
agency, OED or CCCS. We will arrange to meet you at your plant or office to discuss
your hiring and training needs and eligibility. You should be prepared to provide
information about your company’s work force, product or service, and financial condition.
James McDonough, Executive Director
Performance Solutions, Community College of Denver
1201 5th Street, Suite 355, PO Box 173363, Campus Box 604
Denver, CO 80217-3363
Phone: 303-352-6922
Email: james.mcdonough@ccd.edu
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