BUSINESS SERVICES:

EMPLOYER WORKFORCE TRAINING FUNDS (EWTF) OVERVIEW
Pre-eligibilty Screening Questionnaire and Application Instructions

All available EWTF funds have been obligated;

the application process is now closed.

Prosperous and viable employers are vital to the health of rural Oregon’s economy.  Through the availability of the Employer Workforce Training Fund, the state of Oregon has established resources to assist employers that are at risk of layoff or closure with the opportunity for skills upgrade or retraining the current workforce to address the competitive needs of business.

Layoff Aversion involves a continuum of services: 1) assisting employers in preventing layoffs by enhancing the value of workers in their current jobs; 2) working with employers to avert or minimize layoffs by assisting them in accessing funding, services and other appropriate resources through public agencies; and 3) assisting workers in gaining skills so if the aversion strategy fails the worker will be reemployed sooner and possibly in a job offering higher income.

If you feel the above scenario relates to your current situation, please review and/or complete the EWTF Pre-Eligibility Screening Questionnaire.  If you are an employee who is in need of individual training to avoid a possible lay-off, please review the Individual Scholarship Application form.   This program requires that all funds awarded must be matched dollar for dollar.  Employee wages while involved in training qualify as match as do other funds or In-Kind contributions the employer may use. If you would like further information, please contact J. J. McLeod or Susie Yeiter at South Coast Business Employment Corporation (541) 269-2013.

The EWTF Questionnaire and Scholarship Application is available for download in Microsoft Word and PDF formats:

EWTF EMPLOYER PRE-ELIGIBLITY SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE
WORD	PDF
EWTF EMPLOYER APPLICATION
WORD	PDF
EWTF INDIVIDUAL PRE-ELIGIBILITY SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE
WORD	PDF
EWTF INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION
WORD	PDF

What is the Application Process?
Businesses or individuals interested in applying for training grant funds will need to complete and submit a Pre-Eligibility Screening Questionnaire.  If all criteria are met on the questionnaire, businesses or individuals will be asked to complete an application.  Questionnaires/applications should be submitted by mail or e-mail. Electronic questionnaires/applications are available on South Coast Business Employment Corporation’s web site, by contacting the SCBEC office at 541-269-2013 or by e-mail at: jjmcleod@scbec.org or syeiter@scbec.org.

Submit eligibility questionnaires or completed applications to:
J.J. McLeod or Susie Yeiter
South Coast Business Employment Corporation
P O Box 1118
Coos Bay, OR  97420

How much money is available?
$51,256.

Who is eligible to apply for funds?
Existing businesses, business consortia, associations, labor organizations, private non-profits operating in Coos and/or Curry Counties, along with individual employees at risk of being laid-off.

What is the timeline of this process?
Grants will be awarded to applicants who meet the criteria until funds are depleted.  Applicants will be advised of the status of their eligibility within 10 days of receipt of the questionnaire and/or application.  Applications are open until further notice.

What is the period of performance?
All training programs must be completed by 11/30/11 .

What is the proposal evaluation and award process?
Each proposal will be reviewed based on the layoff aversion criteria in the Pre-Eligibility Screening Questionnaire.  Priority will be given to high-wage, high-demand or high-skilled industries/occupations as detailed in the application.  Even though a proposal may meet the minimum criteria, a revision to the proposal may be required before final review and possible recommendation.  Additional revisions of the proposals and budgets may be required before releasing funds.

The right to reject without penalty any or all proposals received at any point in the review is reserved.  Awards will be made to those proposals that best meet the requirements set forth in this announcement and that support Oregon’s economic and workforce needs.

Criteria Defined:

Occupational lists of each category above are available on the Oregon Labor Market Information System (OLMIS). http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/OCX?action=hioccs

Does the employer or employee need to match the grant funds?
Companies or individuals that receive grant funds from the Employer Workforce Training Fund must contribute private dollars, either cash or in-kind, on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Non-cash or in-kind match can be, but is not limited to, the current fair-market value of employee time, space, materials or equipment.  All cash or in-kind match must be documented and reported at a fair market value.  Entities will be required to document and report all expenditures (cash or non-cash) that are claimed as part of the match.

How can the funds be used?

	The funds may be used for:
		Training , tuition, travel, books and supplies for current workers.
	The funds may not be used for:
		Encourage or induce the relocation of a business or part of a business if such relocation would result in a loss of employment for an employee of such business at the original location and such original location is within the United States.
		Paying wages for workers in training or cause the displacement of any current employee.
		Purchase materials and supplies that are not consumable instructional and training materials, nonexpendable items other than instructional software, textbooks or printed materials.
		Fund foreign travel.

How is the budget evaluated?

	The budget must be explained using the budget form in the application followed by a complete description of all expenditures and match requirements.  The budget will be evaluated using the criteria listed below:
		Expenses are reasonable, necessary, and reflect current cost trends to complete the proposed scope of work.
		Expenditures are clearly described and reflect all project activities.
		Expenditures described in the budget narrative clarify the budget figures.

What are the reporting requirements?
Grant recipients will be required to submit a report at the project’s completion.  The format for reports will be prescribed in the letter of agreement, based on the applicant’s proposal.  The reports are designed to measure grantee success at meeting or exceeding their project targets.  All reports are considered public information.

Where can I get technical assistance, if needed?
Contact us by address:
J.J. McLeod or Susie Yeiter
South Coast Business Employment Corporation
P O Box 1118
Coos Bay, OR  97420;

Email:
jjmcleod@scbec.org or syeiter@scbec.org;

Or phone:
541-269-2013.

"Equal opportunity employer/programs."

Auxillary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Maintenance by SCBEC's Webmaster Tammie Edgerton