FAQ

Employment Training Panel (ETP)

    What is ETP?

    The Employment Training Panel (ETP) is a business and labor supported California state agency that assists employers in strengthening their competitive edge by providing funds to off-set the costs of job skills training necessary to maintain high-performance workplaces. ETP is governed by a 7-member panel, which is appointed by the Governor, Assembly, and Senate leadership.

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    What are the requirements of ETP?

    The following are general requirements for ETP program participation. Contact us for a free consultation.

    • Companies applying for ETP funds need a valid California Employer Account Number (CEAN).
    • Company needs to be for-profit, have out-of-state competition, and produce an exportable product or service (with some exceptions).
    • Employees eligible for training funding must be full-time (35 hrs) and meet a minimum pay rate. Minimum pay rate is determined by a number of criteria including industry, county, and special workforce challenges.
    • Each employee must complete at least 24 hours of instruction in the approved curriculum.
    • ETP is performance based, which means that reimbursement is earned when a trainee completes all training hours in the appropriate curriculum; retained on the job for 90-days after the completion of training
    • Funding is only for training that is provided within the term dates of an approved Agreement.
    • Training methods can include instructor led, lab, video conferencing, eLearning, and computer based training (CBT).
    • Records verifying that training was delivered must be maintained and made available to ETP staff for review, approval, and audit.
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    How do ETP awards and payments work?

    Your ETP Award is linked to your Performance! The ETP program is performance-based, providing funds for eligible employees who successfully complete training and are retained for a specified period of time.

    If your ETP application is successful and the contract is approved, ETP will determine your approval amount. This amount represents the funding available during the ETP contract period. Funds will be provided to your company as Progress Payments and a Final Payment based you your performance.

    During fiscal closeout, ETP determines the actual amount of Payment Earned for all trainees, reconciling the Final Payment with Progress Payments. Following fiscal closeout, overpayment notices may be served in some cases. This underscores the importance of having a well-developed training plan. Dunton Consulting will provide the guidance to maximize your awards and avoid difficulty.

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    How do ETP audits work?

    The ETP Audit Unit selects a sample of projects for audit in accordance with the Government Auditing Standards.The result of the ETP audit can impact your ETP funding.

    Dunton Consulting will provide your company with the guidance to face an ETP audit with confidence.

    An ETP Audit can occur up to four years from the date of termination of the ETP agreement, or three years from the date of the last payment by ETP to the company, or three years from the date of resolution of appeals, audits, claims, exceptions, or litigation, whichever is later. All records must be retained within the control of the primary Contractor and be available for review at the Contractors place of business within the State of California.

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    How do we receive the largest possible ETP award?

    Contact Dunton Consulting for a free consultation to determine your ETP funding potential

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    How does ETP Monitoring work?

    Monitoring visits occur after the ETP agreement is approved and permission to start training has been granted. The results of the visit will be documented in a report covering all areas reviewed and will include an assessment of whether the training is meeting the ETP agreement specifications. The outcome of the report can have a direct impact on ETP funding! Dunton Consulting will prepare your company to face the ETP Monitor visit with confidence.

    During a monitoring visit, the ETP Analyst will do any or all of the following bulleted below.

    • Review the number of trainees entering, progressing through, or completing training and/or the retention period
    • For new hire training programs, determine if appropriate placement services are being provided to successful training completers as required by the contract
    • Review the training schedule
    • Review the curricula
    • Observe training in session
    • Interview trainers and trainees
    • Review record keeping and daily documentation of training
    • Validate invoices
    • Review subagreements to determine if all specified services are being delivered as specified in the contract
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