The Bay EDA works with our local workforce partner, the CareerSource Gulf Coast, and the state’s agency, CareerSource Florida, to accommodate a company’s request for training assistance. We also work with our area’s local education institutions in setting up internship programs, on-the-job training and other programs to help ensure your workforce needs are met.
- Job matching and recruitment
- Tax credit assistance
- Industry and talent-pool intelligence and training institution information
- Layoff aversion and assistance
Workforce Training Incentives
Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)
Florida’s Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) program provides training to currently employed workers to keep Florida's workforce competitive in a global economy and to retain existing businesses. The program is available to all Florida businesses that have been in operation for at least one year prior to application and require skills upgrade training for existing employees. Priority is given to businesses in targeted industries, Enterprise Zones, HUB Zones, Inner City Distressed areas, Rural Counties and areas, and Brownfield areas.
Quick Response Training (QRT)
Florida’s Quick Response Training (QRT) program is an employer-driven training program designed to assist new or expanding businesses. The program is flexible and structured to respond quickly to meet business training objectives. A local training provider – school district, technical center, community college, state college or university – is selected and available to assist in the application process and program development or delivery. If the business has a training program in place, a state training provider will supervise and manage the training program and serve as the fiscal agent for the grant funds. Reimbursable training expenses include instructors’/ trainers’ salaries, curriculum development, textbooks/manuals and materials/supplies.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a Federal tax credit incentive for private, for-profit employers to hire welfare recipients and individuals from other special groups.
