Competitive Grant-in-Aid (GIA)

Program Description

The BSSC's grant-in-aid program's basic purpose is to improve and promote employment opportunities for the residents of the Commonwealth through training grants with business and industry. The GIA program provides reimbursement dollars to companies/consortia for company specific training activities. For consideration a company must complete and submit an application and receive approval from the BSSC Board of Directors. Once the application is approved by the board the company can begin eligible training.

Project Funding

The maximum funding amount for individual companies during a BSSC fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) is as follows (based on the number of Kentucky resident full-time employees): $25,000 (1-499) and $50,000 (500 plus). The Consortia maximum is $75,000. Applications are further limited to the number of trainees (x) $2,000. The minimum application amount is $2,500. The average training cost per trainee in any single training activity cannot exceed $2,000.

Eligible Firms

The following firms are eligible to apply for BSSC funds: manufacturing, non-manufacturing (majority of income for services provided must be generated outside of Kentucky), headquarter operations (majority of services provided must be for facilities located outside of Kentucky), public or non-profit hospitals, and training consortia. Only when specific funds for grants-in-aid to retail businesses are appropriated by the General Assembly will retail establishments be eligible to apply. At this time, no funds have been appropriated by the General Assembly. Therefore, retail establishments are not eligible. Any firm, company, consultant, or institution whose primary business is to provide training or training consultation for a fee is not eligible for BSSC grant funds.

Eligible Training

The following training types are allowed under BSSC guidelines: Pre-Employment Skills Training, Entry Level Skills Training, & Skills Upgrade Training. The following are examples of eligible training activities and methods: classroom & OJT training, innovative training techniques, individual assessment, train-the-trainer travel, tuition, and certification. Stand-alone safety, mandated training, trainee wages, retroactive training, and pro/con union training are not eligible.

Training Costs

The BSSC provides up to 50% reimbursement for eligible training activities. This training can be provided by an in-house trainer, a consultant, or an educational institution. BSSC will reimburse $25 per hour ($50 p/h total training) for all in-house training. Consultant & Education Provider rates vary from $50-$65 per hour. To view specific rates refer to our GIA guidelines.

Eligible Employees

Participants in the GIA program must be residents of Kentucky who are full-time employees of the applicant company. Eligible employees must make a minimum of $10.88 per hour base wage plus 15% benefits.

Application Scoring

An application must score at least 25 points to go before the BSSC Board of Directors. For full scoring criteria refer to the BSSC guidelines.