Graduate Business Center

West Chester University




WEDnet PA Guaranteed Free Training Program

wednet and Certified Partner WCU

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Information Technology and Basic Skills Training contracts are available to qualified in-state businesses and out-of-state companies relocating to the economic-friendly business climate of Pennsylvania. WEDnetPA is offered through the Workforce & Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania and partners with West Chester University and other state institutions.

Businesses can benefit from a wide range of training that will put your employees on the path to higher performance. Determine if your company qualifies to participate in WEDnet's Guarantee Free Training (GFT) program and upgrade employee skills to compete in today's business market. Submit an "inquiry" @ https://isaac.wednetpa.com and choose "West Chester University" as your certified WEDnet Partner.

Employer Qualifications

  • Employers must be based in Pennsylvania or have a significant presence in the state.
  • Point-of-sale retail businesses, gaming establishments, training vendors, employment agencies, government agencies, government-owned facilities, education and nonprofit entities are ineligible.
  • Some unions, labor organizations and non-profit healthcare entities may qualify as exceptions.
  • Employers with a high historical turnover rate (> than 50%) may be declared ineligible.
  • Prior grant recipients with a high employee turnover (> 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.
  • Employer will sign a Statement of Eligibility Memorandum of Agreement confirming that s/he will meet all requirements of the program, subject to verification.

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 eligible for full-time benefits.

Flexibility, Accountability and Convenience

  • The program includes both instructor-led and online courses which can be taken on-site at the company, at a training provider's location, online or at West Chester University's Graduate Business Center.
  • Companies may select the training provider of their choice.
  • Company in-house training is permitted.
  • Only certified WEDnet PA Partners are authorized to process applications.

Training Qualifications - Basic Skills

  • Employees must be frontline employees or first-level supervisors (> 100 employees).
  • 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, product-specific sales and orientation training do not qualify.
  • Adult Literacy Service providers to address workplace literacy needs do not qualify.

Basic Skills Training is defined according to the type and scope of the business. Some of the training elements offered through the program include:

  • Applied Mathematics and Measurement
  • Business Operations
  • Communications and Teamwork
  • Computers
  • Manufacturing Fundamentals
    • Blueprint Reading
    • Welding, Soldering
    • Tooling, Grinding
    • Setup
    • Machine Maintenance
  • Problem Solving
  • Product and Process Control
  • Quality Assurance
  • Workplace Behavior Skills
  • Workplace Health and Safety

Training Qualifications - Information Technology

  • All employees taking IT-eligible training can be reimbursed with IT funds, regardless of job title, type of company or company size, as long as there is a clear connection between the training and the employee's current job responsibilities.
  • Employers may apply for funding for any number of eligible employees up to $850 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 eligible under that program.

Information Technology Training provides instruction in a variety of information technology and advanced applied manufacturing subjects. Some of the training elements offered through the program include:

  • Advanced Applied Manufacturing Technology
  • Computer Programming
  • Data Base Development
  • E-Business/Commerce
  • Information Security
  • Management Information Systems
  • Network Administration
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Analysis
  • Technology Support
  • Web Site Design and Development

Eileen Jenkins, 610-425-7435, ejenkins@wcupa.edu,
Graduate Business Center @ West Chester University
1160 McDermott Drive, West Chester PA 19380