Q1.	What types of jobs are available for funding?
A.	Employers are the only entities who can apply for funding under this Request for Application (RFA). The type of job that can be funded for On-the-Job Training (OJT) is determined by the employer’s need. For a definition of OJT, please refer to the RFA under section II., A.
Q2.	NYSDOL requires 180 days active duty service to be defined as a "Veteran", the NYSDOL definition also accepts every discharge except "Dishonorable" I only see only "Honorable Discharge" in your description and no required period of active service…Did I miss something?
A.	There is no minimum active duty period requirement for eligibility under this RFA beyond the fact that the veteran must have been on active duty on or after March 1, 2003. With regards to the type of discharge, the RFA specifies honorably discharged veterans and by definition, all veterans trained in this program must have an honorable discharge.
Q3.	If a company has a BUSINYS grant it would appear they are ineligible for OJT $$ even if they have a Veteran seeking work and needs training…am I correct? This might inhibit a company hiring a Vet, in good faith, with the incentive of OJT, because they have current training $$. The goal of assisting returning Vets might be impacted by other training dollars a company is receiving!
A.	There is no restriction on an organizations eligibility for RSVP funding based on its’ receipt of other funding for training purposes. The only restriction on receipt of RSVP funding is that a business may only hold one RSVP grant at a time. If a business is holding a current BUSINYS grant or was funded in the past but the grant has been closed and all terms and conditions of the grant satisfactorily met, they may apply for RSVP funding.
Q4.	Can a company apply in advance? In other words…XYZ does not have a specific Vet in mind but is willing to hire one and wants to be ready so they submit the application for approval, in anticipation of hiring a Veteran to fill the OJT slot…can this be done to "fast track" a job seeking Veteran?
A.	Yes. A business can either identify the veteran for training or identify the training slot in the application. In either case, once the veteran is identified, the business must ensure that the local One-Stop Center will be contacted and that the veteran is registered in the New York State One Stop Operating System (OSOS).
Q5.	What is the timeframe or typical scenario you envision of a Veteran seeking work and an Employer willing to train that Vet? How long before approval?
A.	The timeframe of the period from when an application is received until there is an executed contract can vary widely depending on the number of applications received, number of contracts in the development stage and the amount of difficulty encountered in developing contracts. Generally speaking, an award can be made and a contract developed and executed in as little as six to eight weeks from the receipt of the application but workloads and difficulties in developing the contract can play a major role in extending that time period.
Q6.	We are a Heavy and Highway Contractor and therefore a seasonal business. Typically, we lay off workers in November and hire back in March, depending on weather conditions. Would we be required to reimburse for training money we have received under this grant?
A.	Under RSVP, trainees are required to be employed for a full year after the training is completed. Failure to retain trainees for one year after the end of the training may result in the recapture of the training funds by the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL).
Q7.	If an employee quits and does not meet the requirement to be employed for one year after the end of training, would we be required to reimburse NYSDOL any funds that we had received?
A.	The employer may be responsible for reimbursement of training funds if the trainee/employee’s work interruption is as a result of the employer’s actions. An employee quitting would not be considered an action by the employer and would not result in reimbursement of training wages to NYSDOL. However, each case will be reviewed on an individual basis by the NYSDOL.
Q8.	We are required to pay prevailing wage so there will be no differential in the trainees wage and with wages that are currently in force in the company. Is this a problem under this grant?
A.	Trainee wages are reimbursed according to the table under II. Description of Services Sought, A. On-the-Job Training (OJT) Costs of the RFA. Trainee wages must be at least equal to the New York State minimum wage and should be in line with the employer’s currently enforced wage schedule. Training wages will not override a company’s prevailing wage requirements and in fact, if work is done a project requiring prevailing wage then the employer will be held to that wage requirement.
Q9.	Are there any workshops planned to assist in writing program design and proposed outcomes that would be acceptable to grant reviewers?
A.	There are currently no workshops planned to aid in writing program design and proposed outcomes. RSVP is intended to allow each applicant organizations to design training programs specific to their needs. NYSDOL is offering this opportunity for businesses to develop a training plan that will meet the needs of the individual veteran that they have (or will) hired. Each individual should have an assessment of their current skills, an individual development plan, that highlights those skills that are necessary for the successful completion of the work responsibilities with a crosswalk of what skill development the individual will need to accomplish in an On-the Job Training(OJT) Program. Applicants are urged to design training programs that reflect their organization’s philosophies and methods as well as the planned outcomes for that individual plan. Specific questions on program development should be forwarded via electronic mail to onestop@labor.state.ny.us.
Q10.	If the trainee is being paid a salary, may we convert the salary to an hourly wage for grant purposes?
A.	Yes.
Q11.	Are veterans who are hired and trained under the RSVP eligible for GI Bill benefits?
A.	Veterans who receive training under the RSVP may be eligible for GI Bill benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The training program must be approved through the Bureau of Veterans Education and the veteran needs to be eligible for benefits. The GI Bill rate for apprenticeship and on-the-job training for the first six months of training is $878.90 per month for veterans whose period of active duty was three years or more (as of 10/1/05). Other rates will apply for veterans eligible under other programs. For more information contact the NYS Division of Veterans affairs at 1-888-838-7697.
Q12.	What should an applicant do if there is insufficient room in the application page for the information the applicant wants to convey?
A.	The applicant should start an additional application, utilize the space on appropriate page of the new application and submit both applications.
Q13.	Will businesses who hire a qualified Vet have to pay the full salary until the grant approval letter comes? In other words if it takes 5 weeks for the grant application to be approved there is no retroactivity for that first 5 weeks of full pay but the OJT starts, for a potential maximum of 26 weeks, from the date of the approval letter?
A.	OJT that begins before an award is made is not elegible under this RFA.
Q14.	Would it be advantageous for businesses to apply now, designating some current trainee positions and internal advancement positions, and wait for approval letter before hiring under RSVP?
A.	RSVP is interested in organizations that have definite training plans for RSVP qualified veterans and who are willing to begin training activities imediately after the receipt of the award.
Q15.	If a Vet meets the criteria and the business has a previously submitted & pre-approved title how long is the turn around in terms of re-imbursement to the business? Since it was pre-approved is the reimbursement from day one/start date of the employee?
A.	If an award has been made and a contract developed and executed, OJT will be reimbursed for training activities that ocurr within the contract period. Reimbursement is initiated when the contractor submits a correctly filled out reimbursment voucher. Once a reimbursment voucher is received in Workforce Development it generaly take 10 business days until actual reimbursment ocurrs.
Q16.	Is the $2 million in funding for the entire U.S. or just for New York State?
A.	The $2 million is set aside for New York State. This is not a national initiative. RSVP has been developed by NYSDOL and is being funded through a portion of the Governor’s Discretionary WIA statewide funds.
Q17.	Not-for-profit was said to be ok, yet when I had two different police departments apply, they were told no because they were not-for-profit.
A.	Local, state or federal police departments are not eligible because they are public sector. The status of profit/not-for-profit is not relevant.
Q18.	It seems like the timeframe for application to turn around from the business’ standpoint, they would best off putting in the application now for any hires over the next year, correct?
A.	That is correct, if they are planning to hire within the next 2 – 3 months.
Q19.	Are companies eligible if they have open 37-l or other DOL training contracts?
A.	Yes, if they are deemed to be a responsible bidder and meet other eligibility criteria.
Q20.	If the employer wants to hire the Vet right away, can the Vet start before the contract is approved?
A.	The training activity cannot take place prior to an award and a contract has been developed and executed.
Q21.	Apprenticeship programs generally take 3-4 years to complete. In the past, OJT’s relationship with apprenticeship has been to subsidize the first 6 months of the apprenticeship. Is this likely to be the trend with RSVP? Or do you anticipate extensions that would cover more of the apprenticeship?
A.	The maximum an employer can be reimbursed for a portion of the wages, for OJT under this program, is 26 weeks.
Q22.	Who is the “point of contact” for the employer to ask questions about the plan?
A.	Craig Woodrow, of the Workforce Development and Training Division is the point of contact for this program, CraigM.Woodrow@labor.state.ny.us or 518-457-0505.
Q23.	If an employer applies and then cannot find eligible veterans, will the employer be negatively affected for future grants?
A.	We look at the planned outcomes vs. actual outcomes for any of our programs/services. If we obligated resources to a contract that was not utilized, this could negatively impact our consideration for future funding.
Q24.	Job Task is developed by Workforce? Employer, who?
A.	The job task is developed by the employer and reviewed and approved by the Workforce Development and Training Division.
Q25.	We would also like to know how often the employer will be reimbursed?
A.	The Department would like to see reimbursement occur on a monthly basis, minimally. The employer may submit more than monthly if the would prefer.
Q26.	Can funds be used for eligible veterans for upgrade OJT’s if they are currently employed by that company?
A.	RSVP is for both unemployed and under-employed veterans. So, yes, the funds can be used to upgrade an existing veteran employee.
Q27.	Honorable discharge only?
A.	Yes.
Q28.	Is there a maximum reimbursement per individual? Or, is it just the $50,000 max per employer?
A.	There is no maximum per trainee. The controlling factors are the maximum length of OJT reimbursement – 26 weeks, and the maximum amount of a contract - $50,000 per employer.
Q29.	Who determines the eligibility of the trainee? Is that done by the local vet rep? Where are they in the process?
A.	Eligibility is determined by the local one-stop – in the entering of the trainee into OSOS. Who the person will be at the One-Stop Center will be local decision. You might want to have a discussion with the One-Stop Manager to ask how services are delivered to vet customers within the local area. Workforce Development and Training Division will review the OSOS record and any other required documentation during contract development phase and also during the reimbursement requests review process prior to payment of the reimbursement voucher.
Q30.	Is job task analysis required for approval?
A.	The job task is reviewed during the application review process, prior to the award. However, there is no formalized format for submission. The employer determines the job tasks and provides the description.
Q31.	Are vets who return to USERRA guaranteed employment eligible for OJT if their employer needs to retrain them because the business changed while they were deployed?
A.	There is no guarantee of RSVP funds. The program is designed to serve new hires or upgrade of skills connected to a career ladder improvement.
Q32.	Can an employer hire through a temp agency prior to the contract being approved?
A.	No. The employer must be hiring the veteran as a permanent employee of the company/business.
Q33.	Can I have my program approved in May 08 to receive funds after June 08.
A.	RSVP was developed to meet the immediate needs of hiring and training of veterans. Since the funds that are dedicated to RSVP have availability timelines, we can not hold open funds that might be immediately needed.
Q34.	Actually, we cannot see the employer application online without a user ID and password.
A.	The password and user id are your personal identifier that you assign to yourself as that you can go in and out of the application. Follow the instructions on the electronic application.
Q35.	Does the employer have to give a wage increase at the end of the training/contract?
A.	No.
Q36.	Will you do 3rd party contracts where the employer uses and employee leasing firm vs. directly hiring individuals?
A.	No. The program is strictly for organizations that are hiring employees and who are considered the employer of record.