The Workforce Training Fund, authorized in section 2RR of
Chapter 29 of the General Laws and administered by the Executive Office of
Labor and Workforce Development, provides employers with matching grants
of up to $250,000 or more to help train new and incumbent workers. It was
established in July 1998, and financed entirely by Massachusetts
employers. In fiscal year 2008 the Fund was financed by an employer
surcharge of .075% on employees' wages, paid concurrently with payments
into the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Annual state revenues from
employer contributions total approximately $18 million, and state
appropriations for training grants are continually rolled forward into
future fiscal years to provide for multiple-year grant awards. |