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WEDnetPA Frequently Asked Questions
What is WEDnet?	What is the Guaranteed Free Training Program?
How do I know if my company qualifies?	If my company is qualified, what next?
What is WEDnetPA? WEDnetPA is an alliance of educational providers across Pennsylvania- including the state's 14 State System universities and the 14 state community colleges, that act as the delivery mechanism for the Commonwealth's Guaranteed Free Training (GFT) program.  Each provider/WEDnetPA partner serves as the point of contact for businesses accessing GFT funds. top
What is the Guaranteed Free Training Program? The WEDnetPA-managed GFT Program offers two training programs.  These programs give qualified in-state businesses and out-of-state companies relocating to the economic-friendly business climate of Pennsylvania the opportunity to train new and existing employees.  The first program, Basic Skills Training, provides instruction in a variety of basic and entry-level skills.  Information Technology Training, the second program, provides instruction in a variety of information technology and advanced applied manufacturing subjects.  These programs allow a company to encumber training funds for their qualified employees in a given program year.  Training costs are reimbursed once training is completed. top
How do I know if my company qualifies? There are two different qualifications for the GFT program, the company itself and the employees. Employer Qualifications Employers must be based in Pennsylvania or have a significant presence in the state. Point-of-sale retail businesses, training vendors, employment agencies, government, education and non-profit entities are ineligible. Employers with a high historical turnover rate (greater than 50%) may be declared ineligible. Prior grant recipients with a high employee turnover (greater than 40%) may be declared ineligible. Participation is limited to two years in a row and three out of the past five years. Training must commence within five months of the grant approval letter or by the end of the fiscal year, whichever comes first.  If not, the funds will be forfeited. Employee Qualifications Employees must be residents of Pennsylvania and employed in Pennsylvania. Employees must earn at least 150% of current federal minimum wage, excluding benefits. The jobs must be permanent full-time positions. Each employer will sign a Statement of Eligibility Memorandum of Agreement confirming that he or she will meet all of the above requirements, subject to verification. You can check your company's participation history by simply going to the WEDnet Web site and running a participation report; all you will need is your company's FEIN. Training Program Qualifications Basic Skills Training Qualifications Employees must be frontline employees or first-level supervisors. Employers must be manufacturing or technology-based businesses including Biotech and Environmental-Tech companies. Employers may apply for funding for any number of eligible employees up to $450 per employee and $75,000 per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). On-the-job, sales and orientation training do not qualify for the program. Funds cannot be used for Adult Literacy Service providers to address workplace literacy needs. Information Technology Training Qualifications Employees participating in the training must be new or current technical workers or information technology professionals or frontline employees and first-level supervisors of manufacturing companies needing advanced applied manufacturing technology training. Employers may apply for funding for any number of eligible employees up to $700 per employee and $50,000 per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Introductory IT, introductory applied manufacturing and sales training courses are not eligible.  MS Office software training does not qualify as this training is considered basic skills training and is eligible for that program. top
If my company is qualified, what's next? Applications for the GFT program must be submitted to a WEDnet partner.  Please visit the WEDnet Web site for a complete listing of partners or contact Michele Pappalardo.