- Following successful debut in 2020, the Association of Women’s Business Centers and AARP Foundation bring back their Upskilling grant program
- Aimed at women-owned businesses who intend to improve or expand the skills of employees ages 50 and older
- Applicants can receive up to $2,500 per employee to reimburse them for training costs
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
The Association of Women’s Business Centers and AARP Foundation are bringing back a grant program aimed at helping women entrepreneurs upskill their older employees. The program provides reimbursement of up to $2,500 per employee for training costs.
The Upskilling grant program was introduced in 2020, helping 23 small businesses to train 41 individuals. The added skills resulted in a collective increase in annual earnings of $63,836 among these workers.
- Grants are available to women-owned businesses intending to train and upskill low-wage workers ages 50 and older
- Companies must intend to train qualifying employees to improve or expand their job skills and complete the training by Dec. 1
- Qualifying employees must earn an average of $16 or less, with the applicant attesting that they will raise their wage at least $2 an hour once training is completed (or $2.50 an hour for the maximum award)
- The program is funded by the AARP Foundation and administered by the AWBC
