Kirkwood Corporate Training is your partner in helping your business achieve its goals. As you invest in your workforce, let us connect you with funding to assist you with your training initiatives.
The Iowa Jobs Training Program, or 260F, is a state-sponsored program that helps Iowa businesses train and develop existing employees. It is designed to strengthen Iowa's incumbent workforce, improve business competitiveness, and support skill development that aligns with employer needs.
The program provides forgivable loans to eligible businesses and may reimburse up to 70% of approved training costs. Program funds are limited, are not guaranteed, and remain subject to Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) review and approval.
Funds are processed on a first-come, first-served basis through a formal application process. Businesses can work directly with Kirkwood Community College's Program Manager to confirm eligibility and complete the required documentation. Submission of an Agreement of Intent (AOI) or an application does not reserve funds and does not guarantee an award. Available funds are finite, and every application is subject to final review and approval by IWD.
To participate in this program, businesses and industries must be engaged in interstate or intrastate commerce for one of the following purposes:
Service-providing businesses must serve customers outside of Iowa. Additionally, program services are available only to employees who are currently employed by the business and for whom the business pays withholding tax.
The following criteria may affect eligibility:
260F Can Cover the Following:
260F Cannot Apply to:
A community college may apply for a consortium loan on behalf of two or more businesses located within the same district that share a common training need. Kirkwood Community College offers several training products that qualify for consortium funding. Participating in consortium funding through the community college does not affect a business site's eligibility for individual project assistance, including annual and three-year maximum award limits.
No, an Agreement of Intent (AOI) is not required to apply for funding. The AOI only documents training that may begin before an application is filed. The AOI does not reserve funds, does not guarantee funding, and does not give an application priority over any other submissions. Applications are submitted to the state only after they are completed in full and are processed in the order they are received into Kirkwood's system.
The AOI is a non-binding document. If no application is submitted, the AOI will be discarded after one year. Although an AOI is not required with every application, once an AOI has been paired with an application, a new AOI is required for any future submission.
Please use this guide to ensure you have all of the information prepared as you submit your 260F application.
Need Assistance? If you have questions, please contact us at kct.finance@kirkwood.edu or by calling 319-398-5623.
Complete Kirkwood's online application form and submit all required information, including the business certification page, employee job titles, and wages. Applications are accepted July 1 - June 30, and must be submitted within the applicable funding year.
Kirkwood will review your application and assist with any needed revisions before submitting it to Iowa Workforce Development for final approval. Funding is limited and not guaranteed.
Approved companies must sign a contract within 10 business days and complete a performance report after training is complete.
Need Assistance? If you have questions, please contact us at kct.finance@kirkwood.edu or by calling 319-398-5623.
Download Business Certification Page
Notice: The application and forms will be available starting July 1, 2026.
The Iowa New Jobs Training Program, or 260E, is one of the most beneficial tax credit incentives that the state of Iowa offers. 260E allows companies to receive up to a 3% Iowa withholding tax credit for each net new job created over 10 years. This tax credit provides the employer with 100% reimbursement for training expenses.
Additionally, up to 50% of the training fund can be reimbursed for on-the-job training wages, while the remaining can be used for ongoing training.
The program is financed through bonds sold by Kirkwood Community College.
Depending on wages paid, the business then diverts 1.5 or 3% of the Iowa state withholding taxes generated by the new positions to the community college to retire the bonds. This structure then allows the training to be available at essentially no cost since the bonds are retired with dollars that otherwise would have been paid to the state as withholding taxes.
In addition to increasing worker productivity and company profitability, businesses participating in the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program may also be eligible a corporate tax credit if Iowa employment is increased by at least 10%.
To learn how to apply for 260E, please contact Tyler McCarville at kct.finance@kirkwood.edu or by calling 319-398-7782.
The Workforce Training and Economic Development (WTED) program is designed to enhance the skills of Iowa’s workforce, promote economic growth through job placement and training services, and increase the competitiveness of Iowa businesses by fostering high-performance workplaces and encouraging investment in employees.
The WTED program yields a variety of benefits, such as:
Companies can apply for funding in four steps:
Need Assistance? If you have questions, please contact Maria Taylor at kct.finance@kirkwood.edu or by calling 319-398-5623.
Application links coming soon.
Please reach out to us at 319-398-5623 for more information.