Ohio TechCred Program

The Ohio TechCred Program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development as part of a statewide workforce initiative designed to strengthen Ohio’s talent pipeline in a technology-driven economy. The program focuses on enabling employers to upskill both current and prospective employees by supporting attainment of industry-recognized, technology-focused credentials. Through this initiative, the state seeks to align workforce capabilities with evolving industry needs, particularly in sectors requiring digital, technical, and STEM-related competencies. The primary purpose of the program is to incentivize employers to invest in workforce development by reimbursing costs associated with short-term credential programs. Employers who are approved for funding may receive reimbursement after employees successfully complete eligible credentials. These credentials must be industry-recognized, technology-focused, and short-term in nature, defined as programs completed in under 12 months and consisting of fewer than 30 credit hours or 900 clock hours. The program emphasizes practical, job-relevant training in areas such as software development, advanced manufacturing technologies, cybersecurity, data analytics, and broadband technologies. Funding is structured as a reimbursement model rather than upfront grant disbursement. Employers are eligible to receive up to 2000 dollars per credential per employee, with a maximum reimbursement cap of 30000 dollars per application period. Eligible costs include tuition, lab fees, textbooks, manuals, and certification exam fees. All expenses must be paid by the employer and cannot be incurred by the employee. Importantly, internal training programs are not eligible unless delivered by an independent third-party provider, ensuring objectivity and quality standards in training delivery. Eligibility for the program is limited to Ohio-based employers that meet specific regulatory and operational requirements. Applicants must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, maintain a physical non-residential location in Ohio, and employ W-2 workers who are Ohio residents. These employees must be reported to the Ohio Unemployment Insurance Office and subject to state income tax withholding. Both incumbent and prospective employees may be included, but independent contractors and 1099 workers are explicitly excluded. Training providers themselves are not eligible to receive reimbursement for internal employee training unless they engage an external provider. The application process occurs during designated application periods and involves submission of detailed employer, credential, and trainee information through the TechCred online portal. Applications are reviewed competitively based on factors such as regional economic distress and the level of employer financial contribution. Employers are not required to identify specific employees at the application stage but must provide detailed documentation at the reimbursement stage, including proof of credential completion, invoices, and payment verification. Following approval, employers must ensure that training begins after the effective date of the grant agreement and is completed within the defined performance period, typically within 12 months. Reimbursement requests must be submitted within six weeks of credential completion and must include comprehensive documentation in a single PDF submission. Required documentation includes credential verification, itemized invoices, proof of payment, and detailed employee information such as wages before and after credential attainment. The program operates on a recurring application cycle, with multiple application periods offered throughout the year. While exact dates vary, employers are advised to monitor the official TechCred portal for announcements regarding application openings and deadlines. Award notifications may take up to 60 days after the close of an application period. The program is designed to be flexible and responsive, allowing employers to propose new credentials for approval if they meet the program’s eligibility standards, further ensuring alignment with evolving workforce demands.

Increase employer cost share contribution and align applications with regional economic needs to improve competitiveness