Frequently Asked Questions About the Governor's Training Initiative
The Governor’s Training Initiative (GTI) is a state-funded workforce development program jointly administered by the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
GTI provides financial assistance to:
- Train future net new employees, or
- Retrain existing workers for sustained or enhanced competitive ability.
Who is eligible for GTI assistance?
A: Private sector employers that:
- Pay post-training wages equal to, or greater than, 85% of the prevailing occupational wage in their local labor market area.
- Pay at least 50% of their employees’ health insurance premium.
- Require financial assistance to enhance the competitive skill development of their Maine workforce.
- Are willing to pay a portion of the training costs.
Q: How does GTI work?
- Following application and approval, the company is reimbursed for pre-approved and contracted employee training costs.
Q: How do I apply?
- Complete, sign, and submit an application. You will be sent an occupational wage data collection packet which you will complete and submit.
Q: What happens next?
- Application data is reviewed for eligibility. A form for wages will be sent to you. When you return it, occupational wages will be evaluated by MDOL according to GTI wage criteria.
- A Site Review (visit) is conducted to gain more information for project selection.
- A review team from DOL and DECD evaluates all application information to determine approval and funding, based on selection preferences.
- You are notified of the result.
Q: How do I know if my wages are 85% of the local occupational average?
- Individual post-training wages for proposed trainees/positions are reviewed against occupational wage averages for similar positions within your local labor market area. Averages are determined from data compiled by the Maine Department of Labor.
- Do NOT submit average wages.
Q: What training costs are eligible for reimbursement?
- Non-routine competitive skills training for full-time permanent employees.
- Training for future net new hires.
- Tuition costs not covered by company reimbursement policies.
- Trainer wages for classroom training.
- Training vendor/provider fees and expenses.
- Training videos, books, manuals, CD-ROMs.
- Up to 50% of employee wage costs for supervised on-the-job (OJT) training.
Note: At least one employee other than the company owner must be included in the training request.
Q: What training costs are not eligible for reimbursement?
- Routine company training and workplace orientation.
- New hire training due to attrition.
- Hardware and equipment.
- Lost productivity and/or waste.
- Trainee travel/accommodation expenses.
- Trainee wages while in classroom training.
- Training covered in company training/tuition policies.
- Mandated OSHA training.
- Consultation that does not directly enhance employee skills.
- Costs for non-Maine residents.
- Training that precedes the date of application receipt by MDOL.
For More Information
For more information, contact Gail Dyer at 623-7982 / TTY (800) 794-1110.
Return completed applications to:
Governor’s Training Initiative
Maine Department of Labor
Bureau of Employment Services
55 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0055
We welcome your comments.
Together, we are working to ensure a competitive workforce for Maine businesses and quality employment for Maine workers.
