ETIP — Employer Training Investment Program

ETIP Employer Training Investment Program

Funds employer training costs in Illinois strategic sectors to build workforce capability through reimbursement support.

The Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP), administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through its Office of Employment and Training, reimburses Illinois employers for up to 50% of eligible workforce training costs incurred for workers in strategic industry sectors. The program operates on a rolling basis with no fixed annual application cycle published in DCEO's current grants catalog; employers apply as training needs arise and receive reimbursement after training is delivered. ETIP is listed alongside federally funded programs such as WIOA Works Illinois and Apprenticeship Illinois, but ETIP itself is a state-funded reimbursement program, not a federal pass-through.

Both for-profit and nonprofit employers with Illinois-based workers are eligible. The employer designs and implements the training program, pays the full cost upfront, and then submits a reimbursement claim to DCEO for up to 50% of covered costs. The program targets strategic sectors including manufacturing, energy, climate-related industries, and advanced technology. Individual award ceilings and total pool size are not published in the source catalog; DCEO's workforce division handles case-by-case determinations based on sector priority and available appropriations.

To engage with ETIP, employers should contact DCEO's workforce team directly at workforce@illinois.gov or 217-558-2837. Strong applications will identify specific skill gaps tied to documented industry needs, name the strategic sector served, and demonstrate that training content is employer-designed and goes beyond routine on-the-job orientation. Local Workforce Innovation Boards (LWIBs) statewide can also serve as entry points for employers navigating DCEO workforce funding.