TRAINING PROGRAMS

Missouri New Jobs Training Program
The New Jobs Training Program (NJTP) provides education and training to workers employed in newly created jobs in Missouri. The new jobs may result from a new industry locating in Missouri or an existing industry expanding its workforce in the state. NJTP is administered through Missouri’s community college districts. In greater Kansas City, NJTP services are provided by the Metropolitan Community Colleges system.

The program provides assistance in reducing the cost associated with expanding a workforce or locating a new facility through these training services:

• Customized training designed for the specific needs of the industry
• Adult basic education
• Occupational skill training

Training assistance can include skill assessment, orientation, pre-employment training, training facilities and equipment, instructor salaries, curriculum design, and training materials.

Eligible businesses include manufacturing, processing, and assembling firms, as well as companies that conduct research and development, or that provide services in interstate commerce. Retail businesses do not qualify for the program.

Funds to pay for the training are provided through certificates that are repaid using a portion of the new employees’ state withholding tax for a period of up to 10 years. The certificates are sold through the local community college district. The tax withholding is equal to 2.5% of gross wages for the first 100 new jobs, and 1.5% for the remaining new jobs. To repay the training and certificate costs, the tax withholding may be claimed for eight to 10 years depending on the size of the project.

Missouri Customized Training Program
The Missouri Customized Training Program (MCTP) helps Missouri employers with funding to offset the costs of training and retraining new and existing employees. The program can assist new and expanding employers with training workers in newly created jobs and help retrain existing employees to upgrade skills.

The Department of Economic Development, through the Division of Workforce Development, operates the program in coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Examples of expenses which might be covered under this program are:

• Curriculum development
• Instructor salaries
• Instructional supplies
• Vendor trainers
• Pre-employment training

Programs are customized to meet the specific needs of the company:

• Classroom training can take place at the company work site, at local educational agencies or a combination of the two. Instructors may be provided through the local educational agency, vendors or the company may use their own internal trainers.
• Employers may request training assistance as often as needed. There is no limit to the number of times an employer can receive training assistance as long as the company remains eligible.

Eligible companies are those providing permanent, full-time employment to Missouri residents, paying high competitive wages and creating new jobs above their peak employment level in the past year or retraining existing employees as a result of a substantial new capital investment.

Applications should be submitted 30 days prior to the start of training or hiring. Some occupations and industries may not be eligible for this program and minimum wage rates apply.

Skills Development Tax Credit Program
Missouri’s Skills Development Tax Credit Program designed to encourage employee advancement and skill development through training by providing tax credits to qualified companies. Employers may receive tax credits in the amount of 50% of the actual training costs for upgrading an employee’s skills (up to $1,500 a year).

The program is customer-focused and employers have the choice of using public or private educational institutions. Training costs may include tuition, instruction, curriculum design, training materials, the lease of classroom space or training equipment, and other related training expenses that do not exceed the prevailing rates.

Eligible employers are located in designated “rebuilding” communities. Eligible employees are full- or part-time workers whose current earnings do not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level.

The program’s intent is to help employees with lower skills and limited income to upgrade their work skills and earn a higher wage. Therefore, upon completion of training, the trainee must be promoted into a full-time upgraded position with increased skills and earning a higher wage.