WDD Employment Training Fund Program - Request for Information - Micro Program

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), Workforce Development Division (WDD), is preparing to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to secure training services for the years 2026 through 2028, focusing on upgrading the skills of incumbent workers through the Employment and Training Fund (ETF) Program, also known as the ETF Employer Referral Program. This initiative aims to foster business growth and enhance the long-term employability of Hawaii's residents by enabling private sector employers to refer their employees to short-term, non-credit training courses offered at the University of Hawaii Community Colleges and other approved training providers. The RFP process emphasizes gathering feedback from current and potential training providers and community stakeholders to ensure the program aligns with the state's workforce development needs and complies with relevant statutes and administrative rules. The solicitation, titled "WDD Employment Training Fund Program - Request for Information - Micro Program," was posted on September 8, 2025, with a response deadline of September 16, 2025. It is a formal procurement opportunity with a contract size estimated between $500,000 and $2,000,000. The project is managed by the Hawaii Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, and interested parties can contact Jay Ishibashi via email or phone for further details. The initiative is designed to support workforce upskilling in Hawaii under NAICS code 611310, focusing on educational services, with the goal of strengthening the state's economic resilience through targeted training investments.