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Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP)

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Overview

In consultation with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, the Ohio Development Services Agency (Development) will administer the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP), including receiving applications from training providers through an RFA process, selecting institutional partners to administer the program, monitoring/compliance, and reimbursement.

IMAP was created to provide opportunities for Ohioans who are low income, partially unemployed, or totally unemployed to participate in a training program and receive a microcredential. Training providers that submit successful applications will be reimbursed up to $3,000 upon completion of each microcredential.

Total Funding Available

Development may award up to $2,500,000 during the application period. Training providers may be awarded up to $250,000 per application.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include state institutions of higher education, Ohio technical centers, and private businesses or institutions that offer training to allow an individual to earn one or more microcredentials.

Eligible applicants must describe their plan to provide eligible microcredentials to low income, partially unemployed, or totally unemployed individuals.

Eligible Individuals

IMAP will only reimburse training providers for microcredentials earned by Ohio residents.

Participant Cost Restriction

Any applicant seeking reimbursement under IMAP shall not charge an individual participating in a training program to earn a microcredential for:

• Any costs associated with the individual’s participation in the training program, or
• Any costs to the applicant resulting from an individual not completing the training program.

Eligible Microcredentials

Microcredentials must be included in the list established by the Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, which can be accessed here. Where possible, online and distance-learning programs are encouraged. When in-person elements are necessary, employers and training providers must ensure they are in compliance with Ohio Department of Health and Center for Disease Control recommendations.

IMAP applicants cannot request reimbursement for an individual earning a microcredential if the individual’s employer is also being reimbursed through the Ohio TechCred Program for the same credential.

Please refer to the Program Guidelines for more information - click here or use the menu on the left.