Championed by State Representative Selim Noujaim (R-74) an expanded program to allow qualified apprenticeship training grants passed the House of Representatives during the final hours of the 2013 legislative session.
Section 382 of HB6706- An Act Implementing Provisions of the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2015 Concerning General Government- requires the Department of Labor commissioner to establish a grant program for S corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, or limited partnerships that employ apprentices in the manufacturing, construction, plastics, or plastics-related trades.
Eligibility and grant amounts are the same as the tax credits for apprenticeship training in manufacturing, construction and plastics-related trades, cannot exceed $ 50,000 and have an effective date of July 1, 2013, applicable to tax years starting on or after January 1, 2013.
“I am privileged to have introduced this concept and blessed for the support of legislature’s manufacturing caucus to make it a reality,” Rep. Noujaim said. “Allowing small businesses across Connecticut the opportunity to take advantage of grants on their taxes for training and developing talent in industry will be a boon to Connecticut’s manufacturers and our state’s overall workforce.”
“These grants will be a tremendous help in offsetting the expenses associated with the apprenticeship training needs of smaller manufacturing companies here in Connecticut while enhancing our ability to invest in, and build our future workforce.” said Douglas Johnson President of Smaller Manufacturers of Connecticut.
This program is expected to be similar to current grant programs in place for C Corps. However, the program is yet to be fully established by the Department of Labor.
For more information, or to apply, please contact the Connecticut Department of Labor at 1-800-263-6000, online at: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/