Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund Grant
The Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund Grant from the Connecticut Department of Labor supports employer-led, innovative workforce training in high-demand, technology-driven sectors across the state.
Funder: Connecticut Department of Labor
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted throughout the year)
Funding Amounts: $8M total; approx. $1.5M allocated to each Workforce Development Board; award sizes and durations vary by project and employer need.
Summary: Supports Connecticut employers in high-demand sectors to expand workforce training using innovative, employer-responsive models.
Key Information: Funding is distributed through Connecticut’s five regional Workforce Development Boards; employer engagement is required.
Description
The Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund Grant is a Connecticut Department of Labor initiative to address workforce needs in high-demand industries by supporting employer-driven training programs. Leveraging Regional Sector Partnerships, employer engagement, and labor market data, the program funds the development and implementation of training activities such as on-the-job training, upskilling for current workers, classroom instruction, pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs, and the integration of AI-related and advanced skills. Innovative models—including competency-based instruction, virtual reality, adaptive learning, and cohort-based pathways—are emphasized to accelerate skill acquisition and align with industry needs.
Funding is distributed via the state’s five regional Workforce Development Boards, each responsible for engaging employers, recruiting training participants, and collecting outcome data.
