The Government Will Pay You to Train Your Next Hire
On-the-Job Training (OJT) reimburses employers up to 75% of a new hire's wages during their training period. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) gives you up to $9,600 in federal tax credits per qualifying hire. Both programs can be used on the same employee.
Elevate for Humanity provides pre-trained, certified candidates and handles all the workforce funding paperwork. You interview, you hire, you get reimbursed.
You Already Spend Money Training New Hires. Why Not Get Reimbursed?
Every time you hire someone, you invest weeks or months getting them up to speed. You pay their wages while they learn. You assign senior staff to supervise them. You absorb the productivity gap. That is a real cost — and for most employers, it comes straight out of the bottom line.
What most employers do not know is that the federal government has programs specifically designed to offset this cost. Not loans. Not grants you have to apply for months in advance. Programs that reimburse you after you hire someone, based on the wages you already paid.
The two biggest programs are On-the-Job Training (OJT) and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). Together, they can save you $10,000 to $25,000 per hire depending on the role and the candidate's background.
The catch? Most employers never use them because the paperwork is confusing and the deadlines are tight. That is where Elevate comes in. We provide the candidates, set up the contracts, track the training, and make sure you get paid.
On-the-Job Training (OJT): Get Paid to Train Your New Hires
Every employer trains new hires. The difference is whether you pay for it yourself or let the government reimburse you. OJT is a federal program that pays you back for doing what you already do — training people to work at your business.
What OJT Actually Is
On-the-Job Training is a program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that reimburses employers for the cost of training a new employee. The logic is simple: when you hire someone who needs skills development, the government recognizes that your time and resources have value. OJT compensates you for that investment.
You are not hiring a "trainee" or an intern. You are hiring a real employee at a real wage. They are on your payroll from day one. They show up, they work, they learn your systems. The only difference is that WorkOne sends you a check for up to 75% of their wages during the training period.
The training period is typically 3 to 6 months, depending on the complexity of the role. A CNA position might have a 12-week OJT period. An HVAC technician might have 6 months. The duration is negotiated upfront in the OJT contract based on what the job actually requires.
Why It Exists
The federal government spends billions on workforce development every year. The problem they are trying to solve: people who want to work but lack the specific skills employers need. OJT bridges that gap by making it financially painless for you to take a chance on someone who is trained but not yet experienced in your exact environment.
This is not charity. This is an economic development tool. The government gets a taxpayer off unemployment. You get a trained employee at a fraction of the cost. The employee gets a career. Everyone wins.
Who qualifies as an OJT candidate?
- • WIOA-eligible job seekers (unemployed, underemployed, low-income)
- • Veterans transitioning to civilian careers
- • Justice-involved individuals reentering the workforce
- • Workers displaced by layoffs or industry changes
- • Young adults (18-24) with barriers to employment
Elevate pre-screens all candidates for WIOA eligibility before referring them to you.
How OJT Works — Step by Step
You tell us what you need
Job title, skills required, wage range, start date. We match candidates from our training pipeline who already have foundational skills and credentials for your industry.
You interview and hire
You choose who to hire — this is your decision, not ours. The candidate becomes your employee on your payroll at the agreed wage. No temp agency, no middleman.
We set up the OJT contract
Elevate coordinates with your local WorkOne career center to create the OJT contract. This document specifies the training plan, duration, wage, and reimbursement rate. We handle the paperwork.
You train, we track
The employee works at your business and learns your specific processes. You provide supervision and mentorship. Elevate tracks training milestones and submits progress reports to WorkOne.
You get reimbursed
WorkOne reimburses you up to 75% of the employee's wages for the entire training period. Payments are made directly to your business, typically monthly or at contract milestones.
You keep a trained employee
After the OJT period ends, you have a fully trained employee who knows your business, your customers, and your standards. No more reimbursement — but no more training cost either.
Example: Hiring an HVAC Technician
Example: Hiring a Barber Apprentice
What OJT Is NOT
It is not an internship. The person is your employee. They are on your payroll, covered by your insurance, and subject to your policies. This is a real job.
It is not a temp placement. There is no staffing agency. You hire directly. If it does not work out, you handle it like any other employment situation.
It is not free labor. You pay the employee their full wage. The government reimburses you afterward. You carry the payroll cost upfront and get reimbursed on a schedule.
It is not complicated. Elevate handles the contract setup, progress tracking, and reporting. Your job is to train the employee and submit timesheets.
It is not limited to large companies. Small businesses, barbershops, medical offices, HVAC companies, trucking firms — any employer can participate. In fact, small employers often get the highest reimbursement rates (75%).
It is not a one-time thing. You can use OJT for every qualifying hire. There is no cap on the number of OJT contracts per employer.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): A Tax Credit for Every Qualifying Hire
Most employers have never heard of WOTC. The ones who have are saving thousands per hire. This is not a deduction — it is a dollar-for-dollar credit that directly reduces your federal tax bill.
How WOTC Works
When you hire someone from a "targeted group" — veterans, ex-felons, SNAP recipients, long-term unemployed, and others — the IRS gives you a tax credit based on the wages you pay them in the first year. The credit ranges from $2,400 to $9,600 per employee depending on the category.
Here is what makes WOTC different from a deduction: if you owe $50,000 in federal taxes and you have $9,600 in WOTC credits, you now owe $40,400. That is real money off your tax bill, not a reduction in taxable income.
The credit is calculated as 40% of the first $6,000 in wages for most categories (= $2,400). For certain veterans and long-term TANF recipients, the qualifying wage base is higher, pushing the credit up to $9,600.
There is one catch: you must file IRS Form 8850 within 28 days of the hire date. Miss that window and you lose the credit for that employee. Elevate pre-screens candidates for WOTC eligibility and helps you file on time.
What Elevate does for you:
- Identifies which candidates qualify before you interview them
- Provides WOTC pre-screening documentation with each referral
- Assists with Form 8850 filing to meet the 28-day deadline
- Coordinates with your tax preparer or CPA on credit documentation
WOTC Credit Amounts
Credits are per qualifying employee, per year. No cap on number of WOTC hires. Employee must work at least 120 hours to qualify (400 hours for full credit).
WOTC + OJT = Maximum Savings
These two programs can be used on the same hire. That means you get wage reimbursement from OJT and a federal tax credit from WOTC on the same employee.
Consult your tax advisor for specifics on combining WOTC and OJT for the same employee.
Additional Workforce Grants & Incentives
OJT and WOTC are the two biggest programs, but they are not the only ones. Depending on your industry, location, and who you hire, you may qualify for additional funding.
DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Elevate is a DOL Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor (RAPIDS: 2025-IN-132301). When you host an apprentice, you get a structured training program without building one yourself. Elevate provides the Related Technical Instruction (RTI) online. You provide the on-the-job training at your worksite.
Registered Apprenticeship employers may qualify for:
- • State apprenticeship tax credits (varies by state — Indiana offers credits for certain programs)
- • OJT reimbursement during the apprenticeship period
- • WOTC credits if the apprentice qualifies under a targeted group
- • Federal contractor preference — apprenticeship participation can strengthen government contract bids
You do not need to register as a sponsor. Elevate is the sponsor. You are the employer training site. We handle RAPIDS reporting, competency tracking, and compliance.
Indiana Employer Training Grant (ETG)
Already have employees who need upskilling? Indiana's ETG program provides grants to employers for training current workers in high-demand fields. This is different from OJT — ETG is for your existing team, not new hires.
ETG can cover:
- • Tuition and training fees for industry certifications
- • Curriculum development for company-specific training
- • Training materials and equipment
Administered through Indiana DWD. Elevate can help you identify eligible training programs and assist with the application process.
Federal Bonding Program
Worried about hiring someone with a criminal record? The Federal Bonding Program provides free fidelity bonds that protect your business against employee theft or dishonesty for the first 6 months of employment.
This is not insurance you pay for. It is a free bond issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. It covers the employee for up to $25,000 with zero cost to you. After 6 months, if the employee has performed well, you can purchase a standard commercial bond at regular rates.
Many of our JRI (Justice Reinvestment Initiative) graduates qualify. This removes the financial risk of hiring from reentry populations while giving people a real second chance.
Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)
WIOA also funds training for workers who are already employed but need new skills to avoid layoff or advance in their careers. If your industry is changing and your team needs to adapt, IWT can help cover the cost.
IWT requires an employer match (typically 10-50% depending on company size), but the majority of training costs are covered by WIOA funds. This is particularly useful for:
- • Technology transitions (new software, automation, digital tools)
- • Regulatory compliance training (OSHA, EPA, healthcare standards)
- • Skill upgrades that prevent layoffs
The Bottom Line for Employers
Use OJT for wage reimbursement + WOTC for tax credits. Stack both on the same hire. Elevate provides pre-trained, pre-screened candidates at zero recruiting cost.
Use ETG or IWT to offset upskilling costs. Elevate can help identify eligible programs and assist with applications.
Use Federal Bonding (free) + WOTC ($2,400 credit) + OJT (75% wage reimbursement). Triple-stack on a single justice-involved hire.
What You Get When You Partner With Elevate
We are not a staffing agency. We are a workforce training organization that produces job-ready candidates and connects them to employers who want to hire.
Pre-Trained, Pre-Screened Candidates
Every candidate we refer has completed a training program, earned at least one industry credential, and been assessed for job readiness. You are not getting random resumes — you are getting people who have already invested in their career.
Industry Certifications Already Earned
Our graduates hold credentials recognized by employers and regulators: EPA 608, OSHA 10/30, CNA, CDL Class A/B, Indiana Barber License, CompTIA A+, QuickBooks, and more. They show up with proof of competency.
Zero Recruiting Cost
We do not charge employers for candidate referrals, job postings, or placement. Our funding comes from workforce grants, not employer fees. You pay nothing to access our talent pipeline.
Faster Ramp-Up, Lower Turnover
Candidates who complete structured training programs are more likely to stay. They chose this career path deliberately, invested time in preparation, and have support services (career coaching, case management) that continue after placement.
Ongoing Support After Placement
We do not disappear after the hire. Elevate provides post-placement follow-up for both the employer and the employee. If issues arise during the OJT period, we help resolve them before they become terminations.
Workforce Funding Coordination
OJT contracts, WOTC pre-screening, Federal Bonding applications, apprenticeship registration — we handle the administrative burden so you can focus on running your business.
Host an Apprentice at Your Business
Registered Apprenticeship is the gold standard of workforce training. It combines structured on-the-job learning with classroom instruction, and it produces employees who are trained to your standards — not a generic curriculum.
As a DOL Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor, Elevate handles everything except the hands-on training itself. We provide the online curriculum (Related Technical Instruction), track competencies, manage RAPIDS reporting, and coordinate funding. You provide the worksite, the supervision, and the real-world experience.
- Train talent to your exact business standards — not a textbook version
- Apprentices are your employees from day one, building loyalty and institutional knowledge
- OJT wage reimbursement applies during the apprenticeship training period
- No curriculum development required — Elevate provides all RTI through the LMS
- Elevate manages RAPIDS reporting, competency tracking, and DOL compliance
- Apprenticeship completion rates are higher than traditional hiring — people who commit to 2,000 hours tend to stay
Available Apprenticeship Programs
Barbershop owners: This is built for you
Our barber apprenticeship program is specifically designed for shop owners who want to train the next generation. You get a motivated apprentice, OJT wage reimbursement, and Elevate handles all the PLA paperwork and hour tracking.
Learn about hosting a barber apprenticeHired by Industry Leaders
Our graduates work at top companies across healthcare, technology, trades, and more.
IU Health
Community Health Network
Carrier
Great Clips
Schneider
Amazon
IU Health
Community Health Network
Carrier
Great Clips
Schneider
Amazon
Roche Diagnostics
Rolls-Royce
FedEx
Marriott
JPMorgan Chase
Target
Roche Diagnostics
Rolls-Royce
FedEx
Marriott
JPMorgan Chase
Target
Industries We Serve
Ready to Hire Smarter?
Whether you need one hire or twenty, Elevate can connect you with trained candidates and help you access every dollar of workforce funding you are entitled to.
No contracts. No fees. No obligation. Just a conversation about what you need and what programs are available for your business.