Inside Retail Services News

Is employee upskilling on your mind?

Learn about free assessment consultations and employee training tax credits or grants.

Are you or your employees feeling the need for upskilling? The state offers 50% tax credits or grants to any employers providing training to employees with free consultations available to assist in writing the application.

  • State offers upskilling loans and grants:
    • Customized Training Program (CTP) – Available to businesses that provide employment opportunities in Washington state. These businesses may be eligible for interest-free loan assistance for customized contract training programs from community and technical colleges or certain Washington-based private career schools or colleges. Employers may be able to claim 50% of the loan as a B&O tax credit.
    • Job Skills Program (JSP) – Grants are awarded to licensed educational institutions in Washington that develop a training agreement with employers. JSP funds half the training cost; partner employers provide a cash or in-kind match to fund the other half.
    • Funds are awarded on a first-approved, rolling basis throughout the fiscal year. Applications are reviewed by a standing sub-committee of the Workforce Training Customer Advisory Committee.
  • Free employee training consultation to assess needs: Mike Nielsen with the Green River College and the Invista Performance Solutions team are available to help employers assess training needs and help them apply for the JSP grant and CTP loan with tax-incentive. A group of employers with similar interests could seek consultation jointly and apply.
  • Retail connects directly to the supply chain and global trade. Sam Kaplan with the Center of Supply Chain and Global Trade helps connect industry and education in Washington around workforce development issues. He has worked with colleges around the state on global trade and logistics curricula.

These programs give preference to small businesses, and we look forward to featuring early success stories around using these programs.

Please email Rose Gundersen, VP of Operations and Retail Services, at [email protected] for more information.

Follow us:     

Return to newsletter

Only Washington Retail members have access to the services and resources available from Retail Services

Membership Requirements »

Retro is a safety incentive program. Let us help you drive down the costs of doing business in Washington State

Learn More About Retro »