Step Up
Promoting job creation and worker opportunity for Connecticut small businesses and unemployed workers
• An initiative of the CT DOL and the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board
• Subsidized Training and Employment Program –5 million dollars per year for two years
• Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program – five million dollars per year for two years
• Both programs apply to “new hires”
• Eligible small businesses can only utilize one program for each eligible new hire
Subsidized Training and Employment Program: Eligibility
Worker Eligibility:
• Unemployed prior to hire
• Resident of *WATERBURY, NAUGATUCK, TORRINGTON, WINSTED or DANBURY
• Adjusted family income equal to or less than 250% of the federal poverty level
Employer Eligibility:
• Small business or manufacturer with less than
50 full-time workers
• Connecticut based business with operations in Connecticut
• Registered to conduct business in Connecticut for
not less than 12 months
• Business must be in good standing with the payment of state and local taxes
(no retailers as defined under state statute)
• Registered to conduct business in Connecticut for
not less than 12 months
• Business must be in good standing with the payment of state and local taxes
• Training must be able to take place on-site at the business site
Subsidized Employment and Training Program:
Wage subsidy for new hire for 6 months (up to $20 per hour, excludes benefits)
Month 1 – 100%
Month 2 – 75%
Month 3 – 75%
Month 4 – 50%
Month 5 – 50%
Month 6 – 25%
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program: Eligibility
Worker Eligibility:
• Unemployed prior to hire
Employer Eligibility:
• Small manufacturer with less than 100 full-time workers
• Connecticut based manufacturer with operations in Connecticut
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program:
Training grants up to $12,500 for new hire for 6 months (training must be held on-site and grant can also be used to subsidize wages; can not exceed salary)
Month 1 - $2,500
Month 2 - $2,400
Month 3 - $2,200
Month 4 - $2,000
Month 5 - $1,800
Month 6 - $1,600
For more information please contact:
Catherine N. Awwad 203-574-6971 x426
Executive Director
Rich Dupont 203-574-6971x 441
Business Services - Resource Development LLC.
Revised 12/20/11
*(municipalities that have an unemployment rate equal to or higher than the state rate as of September 1, 2011, or resides in a town with a population of 80,000 or more)