Workforce Training Grants | OpenGrants
Sector Funding Guide
Workforce Training Grant Funding
The federal government invests over $3.3 billion annually through WIOA alone — plus billions more through apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, and community college training grants to build America’s workforce.
$3.3B
Annual WIOA Title I funding
$1.4B
Perkins V CTE state formula grants
$84M
Apprenticeship expansion grants (2025)
1M+
Target active registered apprentices
What Are Workforce Training Grants?
Workforce training grants are federal, state, and philanthropic funding programs designed to help employers, workforce boards, community colleges, and nonprofits train workers for in-demand occupations. The primary federal framework is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which distributes $3.3 billion annually across adult, dislocated worker, and youth training programs through a national network of workforce development boards.
Beyond WIOA, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) funds registered apprenticeship expansion, the Department of Education administers Perkins V career and technical education grants, and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) supports regional workforce systems. A new Workforce Pell Grant program launching in July 2026 will extend federal financial aid to short-term credential programs for the first time.
Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants include employers, nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)), community colleges, workforce development boards, state agencies, and local government entities. Many programs require partnerships between employers and training providers. Individual workers access WIOA-funded training through their local American Job Center. Apprenticeship grants support both employers registering apprentices and intermediaries expanding apprenticeship infrastructure.
Key workforce training programs
WIOA Title I provides $3.3 billion across three streams: Adult ($883M), Dislocated Worker ($1.4B), and Youth (~$900M). State Apprenticeship Expansion Grants distributed $84 million in 2025 for registered apprenticeship growth. Perkins V allocates $1.4 billion in CTE formula grants plus $30 million in competitive grants. DOL’s Strengthening Community Colleges program and H-1B Skills Training Grants fund postsecondary workforce training in high-demand sectors. The Pay-for-Performance Apprenticeship Incentive Program allocated $145 million of the FY 2025 apprenticeship budget.
Funding Landscape Insights
WIOA: The Workforce Backbone
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is the primary federal workforce training law, distributing $3.3 billion annually. WIOA funds flow through state and local workforce boards to American Job Centers, supporting occupational skills training, on-the-job training, and career services for adults, youth, and dislocated workers.
Registered Apprenticeships
DOL invested $84 million in 2025 state apprenticeship expansion grants, with a goal of reaching 1 million active registered apprentices. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction across 1,200+ occupations — from healthcare to cybersecurity to advanced manufacturing.
Perkins V: Career & Technical Education
The Carl D. Perkins Act provides $1.4 billion in formula grants to states for career and technical education at secondary and postsecondary levels, plus $30 million in competitive discretionary grants. Perkins V funds CTE program development, equipment, and instructor training.
Workforce Pell Grants (Coming 2026)
Launching July 2026, the new Workforce Pell Grant program extends federal financial aid to short-term credential programs for the first time — covering EMT, automotive repair, IT certifications, and other high-demand fields. This removes a major barrier to workforce credential attainment.
Essential Resources
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GOV
DOL Employment & Training Grants Find and apply to DOL workforce grant opportunities
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GOV
Apprenticeship.gov Registered apprenticeship resources and funding
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GOV
Grants.gov Search & apply to all federal grant opportunities
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DATA
Apprenticeship Data Dashboard Track grantees, participants, and outcomes
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TOOL
CareerOneStop Find local American Job Centers and training programs
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EDU
Perkins V CTE Grants Career and technical education funding programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for workforce training grants?
Eligible applicants include employers, nonprofit organizations, community colleges, workforce development boards, and state and local government agencies. Many programs require partnerships between employers and training providers. Individual workers access WIOA-funded training through their local American Job Center.
How much federal funding is available for workforce training?
WIOA provides $3.3 billion annually across adult, dislocated worker, and youth programs. Perkins V adds $1.4 billion in CTE formula grants. Apprenticeship expansion grants distributed $84 million in 2025. Additional billions flow through H-1B Skills Training, Strengthening Community Colleges, and EDA workforce programs.
What types of training can workforce grants fund?
Grants support registered apprenticeships, occupational skills training, certification programs, career and technical education curriculum, short-term credential programs, employer-sponsored on-the-job training, and workforce system infrastructure. Training must generally align with in-demand occupations in the local labor market.
What is the new Workforce Pell Grant program?
Launching July 2026, the Workforce Pell Grant extends federal financial aid to students enrolled in short-term credential programs (as short as 150 clock hours) in high-demand fields like EMT, automotive repair, and IT. This removes the prior requirement that programs be at least 600 clock hours to qualify for Pell Grants.
How does OpenGrants help with workforce training grants?
OpenGrants matches your organization to relevant workforce training funding opportunities across DOL, ED, EDA, and other sources. Access expert grant writers experienced in workforce development proposals, plus live support to navigate complex federal applications.
Find workforce training grants matched to your organization — for free.
Create a profile on OpenGrants and get matched with DOL, WIOA, apprenticeship, and other workforce training funding opportunities. Access expert grant writers and live support.
Sources & Further Reading