A training incentive program will give $5 million in tax credits a year to employers in the North Country and around the state for training in advanced technology.

It is intended to aid New York State employers to provide skills training for their employees that upgrades, retrains or improves their productivity by providing tax credits to help offset the cost of training.

The Employee Training Incentive Program (EITP), which was proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in his 2015-16 budget, will make $5 million in tax credits available to businesses annually, with up to $1 million in credits available for approved internship programs. Tax credits will be awarded for costs associated with eligible training programs for current and new employees or for internship programs for current students, recent graduates, and recent members of the armed forces, and are issued after training is completed.

Training grants are also available through the Department of Labor to encourage the hiring of workers, enabling them to upgrade their skills and obtain employment. The grants can be used for on-the-job, apprenticeship or customized training, depending on the employer’s needs.

Eligible businesses must create at least 10 new jobs or make a significant capital investment of at least $1 million in connection with the eligible training project, in addition to demonstrating that it is operating predominantly in a strategic industry based upon:

· potential to create jobs in an economically distressed area

· shortages of workers trained to work in that industry

· ability and need to relocate to another state to find qualified workers

· potential to recruit minorities and women to be trained to work in an industry where they are traditionally underrepresented

· recent technological advances have created disruption in the industry and significant capital investment is needed to remain competitive.

An eligible internship program must provide training in advanced technology, specifically in the areas of advanced materials and processing technologies, integrated electronics, optics, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, automation and robotics, electronics packaging, imaging technology, and remanufacturing. Internship training can be provided by the business or by an approved provider.

A business must submit an initial application for approval prior to obtaining eligible training or retaining interns. Applicants must demonstrate that the training provider has suitable experience and expertise specific to the particular skillset being sought. Applicants must complete a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) that will be submitted to the local ESD regional office. The CFA can be accessed at http://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/index.cfm. Enrollment will remain open, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis up to the total program allocation.