Build Oklahoma’s Future Workforce

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) has been awarded nearly $6 million through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund to expand employer-driven workforce training programs.

This funding, part of a national $86 million initiative, will support training in sectors critical to Oklahoma’s economic future: aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and AI infrastructure.

Employers can apply to offset the cost of new hire and incumbent worker training in these high-demand fields. Get started via the link below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which employers can apply?

Eligible employers must operate in one of the grant’s focus industries: Aerospace/Defense, Manufacturing, Healthcare, or AI Infrastructure. Employers may be based in Oklahoma or have employees working in the state. For employers operating in multiple states, eligibility is limited to training for employees who reside in Oklahoma.

How much is covered?

Once trainings are pre-approved, participating employers cover the upfront cost of employee training and are reimbursed up to 80% of tuition through the OESC fund, based on learner outcomes:

50% reimbursement after training completion
An additional 30% after the learner remains employed for 6 months post-completion

What types of trainings are eligible?

The Oklahoma Talent Accelerator is designed to be flexible. Employers may use the training approach that best meets their workforce needs. Guild will work with employers to validate that the desired training is eligible for reimbursement before the programs commence, according to the DOL guidelines. Maximum reimbursement amount per learner is $12,500 and maximum reimbursement per employer is $500,000.

Eligible training can be delivered through CareerTech, community colleges, online or asynchronous providers, or other approved training partners. Training does not need to result in a formal license or credential, but does need to drive meaningful value for both the business and the employee.

Training must directly support:

Improved performance in a current role
Advancement into a more senior position
Reskilling into a high-demand, hard-to-fill role aligned to the grant’s focus industries

Employers with existing training partners may continue or expand those programs. Employers without established partners can receive guidance on training options and program design.

How does this grant support employers?

The Oklahoma Talent Accelerator can cover up to 80% of eligible training costs, helping employers invest in their workforce with significantly reduced financial risk.

The program is designed to support both:

Immediate skill gaps, such as upskilling employees to meet current demands driven by automation or new technologies
Future workforce needs, including reskilling employees into roles that will remain critical as AI and other innovations reshape jobs

The grant focuses on employer-led training for specialized, high-demand roles that are often difficult to fill locally.

Guild brings deep expertise in incumbent worker training and can support employers in:

Identifying high-impact roles and skill gaps
Designing effective training strategies
Selecting or refining training programs and providers aligned to long-term workforce needs
Providing a streamlined experience for reimbursement and reporting
In some cases, learners will have access to Guild persistence/career coaching to support their success (

How will employers be prioritized?

All employers must meet baseline eligibility requirements related to industry, location, and workforce participation.

Because the program will roll out in phases, eligible employers may be sequenced to support a timely and high-impact launch. Prioritization may consider factors such as:

Readiness to launch training, including defined goals and identified participants
Potential workforce impact, including the number of employees trained
Alignment with broader workforce needs and shared skill priorities across employers
Timing of interest and engagement during the intake process

This phased approach allows the Oklahoma Talent Accelerator to launch efficiently, respond to employer demand, and scale participation over time while ensuring equitable access across the state.

What will employers need to do?

Employers must identify relevant employees for training and must pay for the training up front, as reimbursement only occurs after program completion and retention. Employers must submit the necessary data and proof to meet the requirements of the Department of Labor—to be shared in detail during the employer intake/kickoff process. Employers must sign an agreement with Guild which covers the data sharing and payment terms required by the grant. Training must commence and be completed during the grant period only (February 2026 - June 2029).

How can I learn more about this federal grant?

This grant is part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund, a national $86 million initiative to support employer-led training across the country. Oklahoma’s award will strengthen domestic production and address workforce gaps in high-demand sectors. Additional information can be found here.

How can higher education partners or training providers get involved?

If you work with employers, you’re encouraged to share this opportunity with them to help offset training costs.

Training providers interested in learning more about participating can contact us directly at oktalentaccelerator@guild.com.

I’m not sure if I qualify. How can I learn more?

If you're uncertain, we still encourage you to submit the form. Our team will follow up to determine alignment and eligibility.

What documentation do employers need to apply?

To apply, employers will need:

Organization Legal Name
Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
W9
Finance contact information
Legal contact information
State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA) ID
Company NAICS code
Attestation of Good Standing with the state
Company address

What employees are eligible to receive training?

To be eligible for training, employees must:

Be I-9 employees at a participating employer
Work in Oklahoma
Age 17 or older
Not currently enrolled in secondary school

Following the approval of an employer’s eligibility for the program, they will submit eligible employees and training programs for approval.

Build Oklahoma’s Future Workforce

Build Oklahoma’s Future Workforce

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Stevens Amendment

Frequently Asked Questions