Part II -- Connecticut Department of Labor
STEP UP Program Contract Narrative
WIB Central Reimbursement and Regional Implementation
Modification #4
11/1/2014
INDEX
A.
B.
C.
D.
Modification of Original Contract
Definitions
Program Summary and General Requirements
1. STEP UP Program Components
2. Integration of Regional Coordinators and CTDOL
a. Central WIB
b. Local Regional WIBs
c. Role of CTDOL
3. Program Staff
4. One Step Up Program per New Hire
Description of Services
1. Central WIB
a. Central WIB
b. Central WIB Financial / Administrative Staff
2. Local WIB Regional Coordinators
3. Expenditure Parameters
a. Staffing and Program-Related Expenses
b. Wage Reimbursements and Training Grants
c. Funding by STEP UP Program component
d. Separate Invoices for STEP UP Programs
4. Reporting and Performance
a. Reports
i. Central WIB
ii. Local WIBs
b. Performance and Corrective Action
5. STEP UP Program Employer/Employee Agreements – General Requirements
6. The Three (3) STEP UP Programs
a. Responsibilities of SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYERS:
Eligibility Requirements and Grant Parameters
b. Responsibilities of SMALL MANUFACTURER EMPLOYERS:
Eligibility Requirements and Grant Parameters
c. Responsibilities regarding EMPLOYEES participating in either the SUBSIDIZED
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT Program for Small Businesses or SMALL
MANUFACTURER TRAINING GRANT Program:
Eligibility Requirements and Grant Parameters
d. Responsibilities of UNEMPLOYED ARMED FORCES MEMBER EMPLOYERS:
Eligibility Requirements and Grant Parameters
e. Responsibilities regarding EMPLOYEES participating in UNEMPLOYED ARMED
FORCES MEMBER Program:
Eligibility Requirements
8. Exhibits 1 through 7
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A.
Modification of Original Contract
The original contract executed between the parties, and modified by Modifications #1, #2,
and #3 is hereby further modified by this Modification #4 as follows.
B.
1)
As further described below, the eligibility and other programmatic provisions of the
Subsidized Training and Employment Program (“STEP UP”) are authorized by:
a)
Public Act 11-1, October Special Session;
b)
Public Act 12 -1, June 12 Special Session;
c)
Public Act 14-38;
d)
Public Act 14-98; and
e)
codified under C.G.S. § 31-3pp.
2)
Part II – STEP UP Program Contract Narrative (12/6/12) is hereby deleted and
replaced with Part II – STEP UP Program Contract Narrative (10/30/2014).
Definitions
The following definitions apply to this contract.
1)
American Job Center is the rebranded name mandated by the United States
Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (USDOL ETA) for
entities formerly known in Connecticut as CTWorks.
2)
The Central WIB is The WorkPlace, Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Central WIB also
functions as a local Regional WIB, as further described under this contract.
3)
CTDOL is the Connecticut Department of Labor.
4)
Program is the STEP UP Program, comprised of three (3) distinct component
programs:
a)
b)
c)
Subsidized Training and Employment Program for Small Businesses;
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program; and
Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training
Employment Program.
and
5)
The Regional (or Local) WIBs are:
a)
Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, Franklin, Connecticut
b)
Capital Workforce Partners, Hartford, Connecticut
c)
Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, Waterbury, Connecticut
d)
Workforce Alliance, New Haven, Connecticut
e)
The WorkPlace, Bridgeport, Connecticut
6)
WIB is Workforce Investment Board.
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C.
Program Summary and General Requirements
1)
STEP UP is a State-funded initiative of the Connecticut Department of Labor
(“CTDOL”) and other regional partners including the State’s five Workforce
Investment Boards (WIBs), to promote job creation and worker opportunity for
Connecticut’s small businesses, small manufacturers, and unemployed workers
including certain unemployed members of the United States Armed Forces. The
STEP UP initiative is comprised of three component programs:
STEP UP Program Component
a)
Subsidized Training and Employment Program
for Small Businesses
b)
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program
c)
2)
Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized
Training and Employment Program
Type
Wage
Reimbursement
Wage
Reimbursement
and Training Grant
Wage
Reimbursement
and Training Grant
Integration of Regional Coordinators and CTDOL
The STEP UP statewide structure shall operate as one program:
a)
Central WIB
As further detailed below, one (1) of the five (5) Workforce Investment
Boards (WIBs) in Connecticut shall act as the Central WIB for the purpose of:
1)
processing STEP UP Program wage subsidy reimbursements and
training grants for the three component programs; and
2)
collecting and reporting program and expenditure data,
which tasks shall be conducted by Financial/Administrative staff.
b)
Local Regional WIBs
In each of the five (5) local, regional Workforce Investment Boards
(Regional WIBs) in Connecticut, a Regional Coordinator shall act as an
ombudsman to the business community of employers and for unemployed
workers and armed forces members who are interested in applying for
participation in the STEP UP Program.
c)
Role of CTDOL
CTDOL shall:
i)
support Regional STEP UP activities by providing the services of:
1)
CTDOL Business Services; and
2)
American Job Center staff
who shall identify potential employers and employees who may be
interested in participating in the STEP UP Program;
ii)
direct any such referrals to the Regional Coordinator in the respective
WIB serving such potential employers and employees;
iii)
provide marketing support to all Regional Coordinators;
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iv)
v)
develop standard STEP UP Program marketing materials for use
state-wide; and
collect the following data from the Central WIB to periodically report
to joint standing committees of the Connecticut General Assembly
(finance, revenue, bonding, appropriations, commerce and labor):
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
the number of small businesses participating in the Subsidized
Training and Employment Program (aka Small Business) and the
general categories of such businesses;
the number of small manufacturers participating in the Small
Manufacturer Training Grant Program and the general categories
of such manufacturers;
The number of businesses participating in the Unemployed
Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment
Program and the general categories of such businesses;
the number of persons hired under the aggregate STEP UP
Program and each component of the Program; and
the most recent estimate(s) of the number of jobs created or
maintained as a result of the STEP UP Program.
3)
Program staff conducting services under this contact shall include:
a)
Financial/Administrative staff for the Central WIB, who shall process STEP
UP Program wage subsidy and training grants for the three component
programs as described below; and
b)
Regional Coordinators for each of the five Regional WIBs who shall conduct
STEP UP Program activities as described in detail below.
4)
One STEP UP Program per New Hire
a)
Once an employer has been determined to be eligible for participation in the
STEP UP Program, such employer may be authorized to receive wage
reimbursement from one or more of the following STEP UP component
Programs, but each such employer may only utilize one STEP UP program
component per each “new hire”:
1)
Subsidized Training and Employment Program; or
2)
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program; or
3)
Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and
Employment Program.
b)
Employees hired under the STEP UP Program may only have wages
reimbursed by one STEP UP Program component per hire under the same
employer.
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D.
Description of Services
1)
Central Workforce Investment Board (“Central WIB”)
a)
The Central WIB shall:
i)
assign staff as follows to conduct the program activities described
below:
1)
ii)
Financial/Administrative staff to track and coordinate all
wage and grant reimbursements for the Program on a
continual ongoing basis for all five (5) Regional WIBs in
Connecticut; and
2)
one (1) Regional Coordinator, who shall conduct STEP UP
Program activities as described in detail below, and
collect, track, and report to the CTDOL and all WIBs -- on a weekly
basis -- the following information:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
b)
the number of small businesses participating in the Subsidized
Training and Employment Program (aka Small Business) and the
general categories of such businesses;
the number of small manufacturers participating in the Small
Manufacturer Training Grant Program and the general categories
of such manufacturers;
The number of businesses participating in the Unemployed
Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment
Program and the general categories of such businesses;
the number of persons hired under the aggregate STEP UP
Program and each component of the Program; and
the most recent estimate(s) of the number of jobs created or
maintained as a result of the STEP UP Program.
Central WIB Financial/Administrative Staff
The Central WIB’s Financial/Administrative staff shall conduct the
following activities and provide the following services as central wage and
training grant reimbursement agent for the STEP UP Program:
i)
ii)
iii)
review all employer/employee Agreements submitted by all STEP UP
Regional Coordinators;
establish and implement reimbursement schedules for STEP UP
Program wage subsidy reimbursements and training grants, in
accordance with the terms and conditions of individual Agreements
executed between participating employers and employees in all 5
WIBs;
verify all wage subsidy and training grant reimbursement requests
from Regional Coordinators on a continual ongoing basis;
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iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)
x)
2)
issue wage subsidy and training grant reimbursements directly to
participating STEP UP employers on a monthly basis, but no later
than 10 business days after the Central WIB’s receipt of accurate and
verified wage and hour monthly documentation;
use funding provided under the Central WIB’s contract for wage
subsidies and training grants on a “first come, first served” basis, i.e.
no WIB-specific wage subsidy and training grant allocations shall be
made under this contract and monies shall be spent as
reimbursements are made to employers under each respective
program component (Subsidized Training and Employment
Program (aka Small Business), Small Manufacturer Training Grant
Program or Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized
Training and Employment Program);
resolve reimbursement discrepancies in collaboration with the
Regional Coordinators and participating STEP UP employers;
prepare and submit to CTDOL:
1)
using copies of Agreements between participating employers
and participating employees submitted by Regional WIBs,
collect and report the following data on a weekly aggregate
basis:
a.
data regarding job placement, job creation, business
involvement, employer participation; and
b.
program service levels and performance by
(1)
STEP UP program component, and
(2)
Regional WIB;
2)
requests and justifications for draw-downs of STEP UP funds
for wage reimbursements and training grants under this
contract; and
3)
documentation of reconciliation(s) (i.e. application of funding
received to immediate and projected cash needs) prior to
making any additional requests for funds;
provide weekly updates to all STEP UP Regional Coordinators and
CTDOL on wage reimbursement and training grant “pool” data;
utilize Automated Clearing House (ACH) draw-down to access funds
from CTDOL; and
maintain appropriate records to document wage reimbursements and
training grants made under the STEP UP Program.
Local WIB Regional Coordinators
To implement and conduct the STEP UP program:
a)
Each Regional WIB shall:
i.
assign a Regional Coordinator to conduct STEP UP Program
activities as described in detail below; and
ii.
collaborate with the CTDOL to:
1)
oversee all wage and grant reimbursements respective to its
WIB under the STEP UP Program; and
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2)
b)
conduct the program activities described below in such a
manner as to implement the goals of job creation and worker
opportunity through timely execution of the Subsidized
Training and Employment Program Agreement for Small
Businesses, Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program
Agreement, and Unemployed Armed Forces Member
Subsidized Training Program Agreement, provided under
this contract as Exhibits 1, 2, and 3.
Each Regional WIB’s Regional Coordinator shall conduct the following
activities and provide the following services within the local area served by
the respective WIB:
i)
collaborate with:
1)
the CTDOL Employment and Training Division in their role as
technical advisors for the program; and
2)
CTDOL staff responsible for programmatic and financial
monitoring and administration;
ii)
recruit workers, businesses, and manufacturers as STEP UP
participants;
iii)
market the STEP UP Program;
iv)
screen and determine eligibility of persons, businesses, and
manufacturers who apply for STEP UP participation, prior to actual
Program participation;
v)
prepare and execute Agreements between STEP UP employer and
employee participants, using standard templates for each STEP UP
component Program as provided by CTDOL under this contract as
follows:
Subsidized Training and Employment
Exhibit 1
Program Agreement aka Small Business
Small Manufacturing Grant Program
2)
Exhibit 2
Agreement
Unemployed Armed Forces Member
3)
Exhibit 3
Subsidized Training Program Agreement
Such standardized Agreements:
 are fill-able electronically;
 may be converted into ETO-program format including exact
language as under the respective Exhibits;
 must be used by each WIB’s Regional Coordinator; and
 must be printed out, signed, and dated by all required parties,
and kept in each STEP UP participant’s file.
1)
vi)
submit Agreements between STEP UP employer and employee
participants to the Central WIB upon execution;
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vii)
viii)
ix)
x)
xi)
xii)
xiii)
xiv)
submit to the Central WIB for reimbursement processing monthly
wage and hour confirmation of hours worked by STEP UP employee
participants, within 7 (seven) days following the close of the calendar
month in which such hours are worked;
confirm on a monthly basis that participating STEP UP employers
received the prior month’s wage reimbursement or training grant;
monitor each participating STEP UP employer’s retention of each
participating employee throughout such participant’s respective 6month wage subsidy or training grant period;
collect from participating employers after each subsidy ends the
required information as to the retention of STEP UP participant hires
in the 7th month (one month post-Agreement);
in collaboration with the Central WIB and participating STEP UP
employers, resolve any problems regarding wage reimbursements
and training grants under the Program;
prepare and submit to the Central WIB copies of Agreements between
participating employers and participating employees, which the
Central WIB will use to collect and report data on measuring job
placement, job creation, business involvement and employer
participation, and other information as set forth in such report;
attend STEP UP Program Regional Coordinator meetings convened
by CTDOL;
maintain detailed documentation and records for each STEP UP
Program employee/employer match including:
1)
verification and documentation of employer and employee
eligibility from each:
a.
employee applicant, using either Exhibit 6, STEP UP
Employee Certification Form for Small Businesses
and Small Manufacturers, or Exhibit 7, STEP UP
Employee Certification Form for Armed Forces, as
applicable;
b.
unemployed armed forces member applicant;
c.
small business applicant; and
d.
small manufacturer applicant;
2)
as applicable to the STEP UP Program component,
verification of each prospective employee applicant’s:
a.
family income;
b.
town of residence; and
c.
armed forces service history as further described
below;
3)
proof of “good standing” in state and local taxes by employer
applicants;
4)
proof of CTDOL approval of each employer regarding “good
standing” of the following verifications, prior to each hire:
a.
payment of Unemployment Insurance (UI) taxes;
b.
status regarding Wage and Workplace Standards
(WWS); and
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c.
xv)
3)
status regarding Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA);
5)
fully executed Agreements between STEP UP employers and
employee participants;
6)
monthly timesheets for STEP UP employee participants; and
7)
any additional information and documentation which verifies:
a.
employee participant eligibility;
b.
armed forces member participant eligibility;
c.
employer participant eligibility; and
d.
STEP UP Program performance; and
for employers found to be ineligible for STEP UP participation,
provide:
1)
the basis of such determination of ineligibility;
2)
referral(s) to:
a.
American Job Centers;
b.
CTDOL; and/or
c.
Department
of
Economic
and
Community
Development (DECD)
for linkage to additional services to support such business’
growth; and
3)
if the determination of ineligibility is based on lack of good
standing with CTDOL obligations, referral to CTDOL as a
means of redress.
Expenditure Parameters
a)
Staffing and Program-Related Expenses
i)
Staffing
1)Each Regional WIB shall provide Regional Coordinator services,
and
the
Central
WIB
shall
additionally
provide
Financial/Administrative services to conduct such activities as
described above.
2)
ii)
Funding provided under this contract may be used toward
salaries and fringe benefits/payroll taxes of such STEP UP
staff.
Program-Related Expenses
Up to 10% of the funding allocation for STEP UP staff costs provided
under this contract may be used by the respective Regional WIB to
support program-related expenses such as mileage or supplies.
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b)
Wage Reimbursements and Training Grants
The Central WIB shall issue STEP UP Program wage reimbursements and
training grants to participating employers in accordance with:
i)
fully executed and WIB-approved Agreements between STEP UP
employer and employee participants, as documented by verified
timesheets submitted by such employers; and
ii)
using funding as allocated by the CTDOL in the Budget of the STEP
UP contract between CTDOL and the Central WIB.
c)
Funding by STEP UP Program component for Wage and Training
Subsidies
For the aggregate period 2/15/2012 through 6/30/2015, the following amounts
shall be reserved by the Central WIB for STEP UP Program wage
reimbursements and training grants state-wide:
d)
Subsidized Training and Employment Program for
Small Businesses
$9,400,000
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program
$9,400,000
Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized
Training Program
$9,200,000
Total
$28,000,000
Separate Invoices for STEP UP Programs
Invoices submitted under this contract for the Subsidized Training and
Employment Program for Small Businesses, Small Manufacturer Training
Grant Program, and Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized
Training Program shall be kept separate from each other.
4)
Reporting and Performance
a)
Reports
i)
Central WIB Financial/Administrative staff shall prepare and submit
a weekly Central WIB Standard Consolidated Report to CTDOL and
Regional Coordinators, including data on:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Participating employers;
Participating employees;
Reimbursement amounts issued;
Termination dates of participating employees;
Employment status in the 7th month after hire, as required to
be reported by participating employers to Regional
Coordinators;
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6)
7)
ii)
Local WIB Regional Coordinators shall:
1)
2)
b)
Wage subsidy and grant pool status, by:
a.
Distinct STEP UP Program component (Subsidized
Training and Employment Program for Small
Businesses, Small Manufacturer Training Grant
Program, and Unemployed Armed Forces Member
Subsidized Training Program; and
b.
WIB Region;
and other information as requested by CTDOL.
submit fully executed and WIB-approved Agreements
between STEP UP employer and employee participants, as
documented by verified timesheets submitted by such
employers, to the Central WIB; and
prepare any additional reports required or requested by
CTDOL.
Performance and Corrective Action
i)
ii)
CT DOL shall:
1)
monitor, review, and measure actual STEP UP Program
performance of each Regional WIB pursuant to each such
WIB’s program activities under this contract; and
2)
as needed:
a.
provide analysis and findings to any local WIB which
the CTDOL determines to be under-performing; and
b.
request corrective action measures be implemented by
such under-performing WIB(s) to resolve the causes of
any such finding.
Regional WIBs shall prepare and submit to the CT DOL a corrective
action plan addressing their respective under-performance if any such
finding is made by CTDOL for their respective Regional WIB,
pursuant to this subsection.
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5)
STEP UP Program Employer/Employee Agreements – General Requirements
a)
Each WIB’s Regional Coordinator shall use only the STEP UP
Employer/Employee Agreements provided by the CTDOL under this
contract, as follows. Such
standardized
Agreements
are
fill-able
electronically, may be converted into ETO-program format including exact
language as under the respective Exhibits, must be used by each WIB’s
Regional Coordinators, and shall be printed out, signed, and dated by all
required parties, and kept in the participant’s file at the Regional WIB.
Exhibit #
Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3
Title of Employer/Employee Agreement
Subsidized Training and Employment Program Agreement
aka Small Business
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program Agreement
Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training
and Employment Program Agreement
b)
The WIB’s respective STEP UP Regional Coordinator shall monitor and
confirm that each employer participating in the STEP UP Program has a
corresponding STEP UP Employer/Employee Agreement for each new hire
prior to program participation, as follows.
i)
Each such Agreement must be:
1)
signed by the employer or employer’s authorized
representative; and
2)
signed and approved by the WIB’s STEP UP Regional
Coordinator.
ii)
The individual signing the Agreement on behalf of the employer must
have legal authority to bind the employer into the Agreement.
iii)
Prior to executing any STEP UP Program Employer/Employee
Agreement, the WIB STEP UP Regional Coordinator must first
complete verification and certification of all required eligibility
criteria for both the employer and employee, as set forth in the
applicable:
1)
standard STEP UP Program Agreement; and
2)
STEP UP Employee Certification Form (Exhibit 6 or Exhibit
7).
c)
General Eligibility Requirements
i)
ii)
Each employer and employee must meet all respective eligibility
requirements for their participation in the applicable STEP UP
Program, as set forth under this contract.
The eligibility requirements of all three STEP UP Programs are subject
to legislative change and if changed by the Legislature, CTDOL shall
notify the WIBs in writing of any such changes.
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6)
The Three (3) STEP UP Programs
This Section 6 is organized as follows:
RESPONSIBILITIES OF:
FOR:
a.)
SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYERS:
Subsidized Training and Employment
Program
for Small Businesses
b.)
SMALL MANUFACTURER
EMPLOYERS:
Small Manufacturer
Training Grant Program
c.)
EMPLOYEES in either the:
Subsidized Training and Employment
Program
for Small Businesses
or
Small Manufacturer
Training Grant Program
d.)
ARMED FORCES MEMBER
EMPLOYERS:
e.)
EMPLOYEES in the:
a)
Unemployed Armed Forces Member
Subsidized Training and Employment
Program
Responsibilities of SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYERS
i)
The STEP UP Regional Coordinator shall:
1)
determine eligibility of small business employers by applying
the criteria cited below; and
2)
if eligibility requirements are determined to have been met,
may approve such small business employers for participation
in the STEP UP Program.
ii)
Prospective small business employers must meet the following
eligibility requirements prior to participation.
1)
Employer must be an eligible small business as defined in
C.G.S. §31-3pp, which states that an “(e)ligible small business”
means a business that:
as verified by self-attestation of the employer:
a. employed not more than one hundred (100) full-time
employees on at least fifty percent (50%) of its working
days during the preceding twelve (12) months;
b. has operations in Connecticut;
c. has been registered to conduct business for not less than
twelve (12) months; and
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d.
2)
3)
4)
iii)
is in good standing with the payment of all state and local
taxes.
“Eligible small business” may include retailers as defined in
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-371 (1), as follows:
"Retailer" means any person who sells goods used primarily for
personal, family or household purposes to a person who is not in the
business of reselling such goods.
Employer’s status of “good standing” of the following shall be
verified by CTDOL:
a. compliance with unemployment insurance tax
requirements; and
b. no outstanding Wage and Workplace Standards
violations
CTDOL may, at its discretion, verify any such employer’s
compliance with one or more of the following:
a. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
requirements;
b. DRS (State of Connecticut Department of Revenue
Services) requirements;
c. Workers Compensation insurance coverage;
d. Payment of state and local taxes; and
e. Registration to conduct business for not less than twelve
(12) months
Grants to eligible small businesses under the Subsidized Training
and Employment Program for Small Businesses shall adhere to the
following parameters:
# of days of employment
under the STEP UP
Program
calendar days
1 through 30, inclusive
calendar days
31 through 90, inclusive
calendar days
91 through 150, inclusive
calendar days
151 through 180,
inclusive
iv)
% of wage
reimbursement
of the new
employee’s
hourly wage,
exclusive of any
benefits:
Maximum Wage
Rate Allowed per
STEP UP Employee
100%
$20 per hour
75%
$20 per hour
50%
$20 per hour
25%
$20 per hour
Grants shall be cancelled as of the date the new employee leaves
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employment with the eligible small business.
b)
Responsibilities of SMALL MANUFACTURER EMPLOYERS
i)
The STEP UP Regional Coordinator shall:
1)
determine eligibility of small manufacturer employers by
applying the criteria cited below; and
2)
if eligibility requirements are determined to have been met,
may approve such small manufacturer employers for
participation in the STEP UP Program.
ii)
Prospective small manufacturer employers must meet the following
eligibility requirements prior to participation.
1)
2)
3)
Employer must be an eligible small manufacturer as defined in
C.G.S. §31-3pp, which states that an “(e)ligible small
manufacturer” means a business that:
as verified by self-attestation of the employer:
a. employed not more than one hundred (100) employees
on at least fifty percent (50%) of its working days during
the preceding twelve (12) months;
b. has operations in Connecticut;
c. has been registered to conduct business for not less than
twelve (12) months;
d. is in good standing with the payment of all state and local
taxes; and
e. is an eligible small business described in the North
American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Sectors
31 to 33 inclusive.
Employer’s status of “good standing” of the following shall be
verified by CTDOL:
a. compliance with unemployment insurance tax
requirements; and
b. no outstanding Wage and Workplace Standards
violations.
CTDOL may, at its discretion, verify any such employer’s
compliance with one or more of the following:
a. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
requirements;
b. DRS (State of Connecticut Department of Revenue
Services) requirements;
c. Workers Compensation insurance coverage;
d. Payment of state and local taxes; and
e. Registration to conduct business for not less than twelve
(12) months.
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4)
Eligible small manufacturer employers:
a. shall use STEP UP grant funds to train and compensate
persons newly hired under the STEP UP program;
b. shall:
i. provide training to persons newly hired under the
STEP UP program;
ii. conduct such training on the manufacturer’s
premises; and
iii. not be required to have an existing formal training
program; and
c. with its application for STEP UP Program participation,
shall prepare and submit a written, detailed description
of the training to be provided to the employees newly
hired under this STEP UP Program component. Such
training plan shall be kept in the participant’s file at the
Regional WIB.
iii)
The CTDOL Labor Commissioner or his/her designee shall:
1)
review; and
2)
if acceptable, approve
such manufacturer’s written description of the proposed training as
part of the application for participation in the STEP UP Program.
iv)
Grants to eligible small manufacturers under the Small Manufacturer
Training Grant Program shall adhere to the following parameters.
1)
No such grant shall exceed the salary of any newly hired
person under the STEP UP Program.
2)
Training grants may be used to subsidize wages.
3)
Training grant amounts shall be limited as follows:
Month of newly hired person’s
employment under the STEP UP
Program:
1st full calendar month
2nd full calendar month
3rd full calendar month
4th full calendar month
5th full calendar month
6th full calendar month
Total maximum allowable
per new hire:
4)
Maximum Grant Amounts
per newly hired person:
up to $2,500
up to $2,400
up to $2,200
up to $2,000
up to $1,800
up to $1,600
$12,500
Grants shall be cancelled as of the date the new employee
leaves employment with the eligible small manufacturer.
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c)
Responsibilities regarding EMPLOYEES participating in either the
Subsidized Training and Employment Program
for Small Businesses
or
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program
i)
ii)
The STEP UP Regional Coordinator shall:
1)
determine eligibility of employee applicants for the Subsidized
Training and Employment Program for Small Businesses or
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program; and
2)
if Program-specific eligibility requirements are met, may
approve employees for participation in either such STEP UP
Program but only place each such approved employee in one
STEP UP Program.
Eligibility requirements for prospective small business or small
manufacturer employees are:
1)
2)
Employee must meet the criteria of “new employee” as defined
in C.G.S. §31-3pp, which states that “new employee” means a
person who:
as verified by self-attestation of the employee:
was unemployed prior to employment with an eligible
business, regardless of whether such person collected
unemployment compensation benefits as a result of such
unemployment.
“New employee” does not include a person:
a. who was employed in this state by a related person with
respect to the eligible small business during the prior
twelve (12) months. Related person being defined in C.G.S.
§31-3pp, as (emphasis added):
i. a corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association or trust controlled by the
eligible small business;
ii. an individual, corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, association or trust that is in
control of the eligible small business;
iii. a corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association or trust controlled by an
individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership association or trust that is in control of
the eligible small business;
or
iv. a member of the same controlled group as the
eligible small business.
or
b. who was employed on a temporary or seasonal basis by a
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3.
d)
retailer, defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-371 (1) as:
"Retailer" means any person who sells goods used primarily for
personal, family or household purposes to a person who is not
in the business of reselling such goods.
The employee shall not be a participant of more than one STEP
UP Program at a time. An eligible employee may participate in:
a. Small Business Subsidized Training and Employment
Program;
or
b. Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program;
or
c. Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training
and Employment Program.
Responsibilities
EMPLOYERS
of
UNEMPLOYED
ARMED
FORCES
MEMBER
i)
The STEP UP Regional Coordinator shall:
1)
determine eligibility of employers by applying the criteria
cited below; and
2)
if eligibility requirements are determined to have been met,
may approve such employers for participation in the STEP UP
Program.
ii)
Prospective employers must meet
requirements prior to participation.
1)
2)
3)
the
following
eligibility
Employer must be an eligible business as defined in C.G.S. §313pp, which states that an “(e)ligible business” means a business
that:
as verified by self-attestation of the employer:
a. has operations in Connecticut;
b. has been registered to conduct business for not less than
twelve (12) months; and
c. is in “good standing” with the payment of all state and
local taxes.
Employer’s status of “good standing” of the following shall be
verified by CTDOL:
a. compliance with unemployment insurance tax
requirements; and
b. no outstanding Wage and Workplace Standards
violations.
CTDOL may, at its discretion, verify any such employer’s
compliance with one or more of the following:
a. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
requirements;
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b.
4)
5)
iii)
DRS (State of Connecticut Department of Revenue
Services) requirements;
c. Workers Compensation insurance coverage;
d. Payment of state and local taxes; and
e. Registration to conduct business for not less than twelve
(12) months.
Eligible employers:
a. shall use STEP UP grant funds to provide on-the-job
training and compensation to armed forces members who
are newly hired under this STEP UP program component;
b. shall:
i. provide on-the-job training and compensation to
employees newly hired under this STEP UP
program component;
ii. conduct such training on the employer’s premises;
and
iii. not be required to have an existing formal training
program; and
c. with its application for STEP UP Program participation,
shall prepare and submit a written, detailed description
of the on-the-job training to be provided to the
employees newly hired under this STEP UP Program
component. Such training plan shall be kept in the
participant’s file at the Regional WIB.
With respect to any such newly hired employee:
a. a business receiving a grant under this Program shall not
receive for the same newly hired employee:
i.
a second grant under this Armed Forces program
component;
or
ii.
a grant for either the Small Business or Small
Manufacturer STEP UP Program components;
b.
each such employer may only utilize one STEP UP
program component per each “new hire”.
The CTDOL Labor Commissioner or his/her designee shall:
1)
review; and
2)
if acceptable, approve
such employer’s description of the proposed on-the-job training as
part of the application for participation in the STEP UP Program.
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e)
iv)
Grants to eligible employers under the Unemployed Armed Forces
Member Subsidized Training and Employment Program shall
adhere to the following parameters.
1)
No such grant shall exceed the salary of any newly hired
person under the STEP UP Program.
2)
Training grants may be used to subsidize wages.
3)
On-the-Job training and compensation grant amounts shall be
limited as follows:
% of wage
reimbursement
# of days of employment
of the new
Maximum Wage
under the STEP UP
employee’s
Rate Allowed per
Program
hourly wage,
STEP UP Employee
exclusive of any
benefits:
calendar days
100%
$20 per hour
1 through 30, inclusive
calendar days
75%
$20 per hour
31 through 90, inclusive
calendar days
50%
$20 per hour
91 through 150, inclusive
calendar days
151 through 180,
25%
$20 per hour
inclusive
v)
Grants shall be cancelled as of the date the new employee leaves
employment with the eligible employer.
Responsibilities regarding EMPLOYEES participating in the
Unemployed Armed Forces Member
Subsidized Training and Employment Program
i)
The STEP UP Regional Coordinator shall:
1)
determine eligibility of employee applicants for the
Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and
Employment Program; and
2)
if program-specific eligibility requirements are met, may
approve employees for participation in the Armed Forces
Member STEP UP Program.
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ii)
Eligibility requirements for such prospective Armed Forces Member
employees are:
1)
2)
3.
Employee must meet the criteria of “new employee” as defined
in C.G.S. §31-3pp, which states that “new employee” means a
person who:
as verified by the CTDOL Office for Veterans' Workforce
Development:
a. was unemployed prior to employment with an eligible
business, regardless of whether such person collected
unemployment compensation benefits as a result of such
unemployment;
and
b. was honorably discharged after not less than 90 days of
service unless separated from service earlier because of a
documented service-connected disability rated by the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
“New employee” does not include a person who was employed
in this state by a related person with respect to the eligible
business during the prior twelve (12) months. Related person
being defined in C.G.S. §31-3pp, as (emphasis added):
a. a corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association or trust controlled by an eligible business,
b. an individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association or trust that is in control of an
eligible business,
c. a corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association or trust controlled by an individual,
corporation, limited liability company, partnership
association or trust that is in control of an eligible
business,
or
d. a member of the same controlled group as an eligible
business.
The employee shall not be a participant of more than one STEP
UP Program at a time. An eligible employee may participate in:
a. Small Business Subsidized Training and Employment
Program for Small Businesses;
or
b. Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program;
or
c. Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training
and Employment Program.
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7)
Exhibits
The following exhibits are attached to this contract and are integral provisions of this
contract as if fully set forth in the body of the contract:
Exhibit #
Exhibit Title
1
Subsidized Training and Employment Program Agreement
aka Small Business
2
Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program Agreement
3
Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment Grant
Program Agreement
4
STEP UP Income Guidelines / 2014 Poverty Guidelines
5
Eligible Communities for STEP UP
6
STEP UP Employee Certification for Small Businesses and Small
Manufacturers
7
STEP UP Employee Certification for Armed Forces
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