The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

CWTP—Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program.

Covered expenses—Include, to the extent allowable under the IIJA and IRA:

1. (i) Wages paid directly to a new employee, including any bonuses or other monetary compensation reportable as ‘‘W-2’’ wages.
2. (ii) Payroll taxes paid by the eligible organization to Federal, State or local taxing authorities in conjunction with the new employee’s employment.

3. (iii) Direct costs associated with the OJT program incurred by the eligible organization during the first 6 months of employment for the new employee, including but not limited to any of the following:

   1. (A) Registered pre-apprenticeship programs.
   2. (B) Registered apprenticeship program costs.
   3. (C) Costs associated with establishing a training program.
   4. (D) Costs incurred for the use of a training facility.

   5. (E) Supportive services and direct cash assistance that help individuals facing systemic barriers to employment to be able to participate in training and employment. Eligible supportive services include, but are not limited to, costs incurred for bona fide services and assistance provided to new employees for: housing; child and dependent care; work-related tools; work-related clothing or uniforms; educational testing; needs-related payments or emergency cash assistance; transportation and travel to or from training and work sites; reasonable accommodations; legal assistance; referrals to healthcare, mental health counseling or drug treatment; linkages to community services; application fees and other costs of apprenticeship or required pre-employment training, tests, or certifications; or financial counseling to the extent that eligible organizations demonstrate to the CWTP, within its discretion, that the expenses effectively recruit or retain workers who have traditionally faced systemic barriers to training and employment.

      Eligible organization—A for-profit corporation, limited liability company, partnership, not-for-profit organization or public benefit corporation operating in this Commonwealth which meets any of the following criteria:

   6. (i) Has received a contract or grant from an agency of the Commonwealth or by the Federal government under the IIJA or IRA for work occurring in this Commonwealth.
   7. (ii) Is a subcontractor to an eligible organization that has received a contract or grant under the IIJA or IRA for work occurring in this Commonwealth.

   8. (iii) Has received a tax credit from the United States Department of the Treasury made available under the IRA for a capital investment in excess of $10 million within this Commonwealth.

      IIJA—Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Pub.L. No. 117-58).

      IRA—Federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Pub.L. No. 117-169).

      New employee—As this term will be or is defined in the CWTP guidelines issued under § 7.973 (relating to program).

      OJT—On-the-job training.