Commonwealth Corp Workforce Training Fund — General Program

Amount$10,000 - $200,000

DeadlineRolling — applications accepted year-round subject to fund availability

CompetitionHigh

Eligible businessesAll

About this program

The Workforce Training Fund's General Program awards Massachusetts employers $10,000 to $200,000 to train current and newly hired W-2 employees, with the training provider of your choice. It requires a dollar-for-dollar match, but the wages you pay employees during training hours count toward it, which most businesses are paying anyway. As of April 2026 the maximum award rose from $125,000 to $200,000, and you can now hold a General and an Express grant at the same time. You'll need two-plus years of financial statements, and there's a one-year wait between General grants. Nearly every MA for-profit business already pays into the fund through unemployment insurance, which is what makes it eligible.

Official program page: commcorp.org ↗

Who is eligible?

MA private for-profit employers contributing to the Workforce Training Fund via unemployment insurance. W-2 employees only. 2+ years of financial statements required.

Already have an Express grant? Since April 2026, eligible employers can participate in the Express and General Programs at the same time. Grant funds cover the training provider's fee, not wages or consulting.

Not eligible if

Businesses under 2 years old, or without 2 years of financial statements
Not paying into the MA Workforce Training Fund via unemployment insurance
No W-2 employees on payroll (owner-only businesses and 1099-only workforces)
Seasonal businesses unable to train during peak operating hours

The Workforce Training Fund has three tiers, and picking the wrong one wastes months. FundBug matches you to the tier your headcount and training plans actually fit.

See which tier fits you →