Part 2: How to Get Access to These Grants.

In partnership with

Job boards are dead. Your network is alive.

You don’t need another job board.
You need a signal in the noise.

Indy AI, a new feature by Contra, helps independents find career-defining opportunities through the networks they’ve already built. It connects to LinkedIn and X, then quietly surfaces warm, high-fit opportunities hiding in your extended network, including from people you didn’t even know were hiring.

No cold outreach. No endless scrolling. No pitching into the void.

This is work that finds you. Real opportunities, backed by real people you already know.

It’s not hustle culture. It’s human signal.


And it’s how independents grow without burning out.

Let Indy AI do the searching, so you can focus on the work that actually matters.

Let work find you

• Now that you know what’s at stake, here’s how to start claiming these funds:

  1. Register as a Training Employer – Sign up with your local Workforce Development Office (WIOA). This step is crucial to make your business eligible.

  2. Identify Key Roles to Upskill – Focus on high-turnover roles, critical operations, or employees who can become future leaders. Prioritize roles where training will make the biggest impact on your bottom line.

  3. Document Training Needs – Create a simple outline of the skills your team needs and explain how the training will improve business outcomes. This speeds up approval and demonstrates impact.

  4. Partner with Certified Training Providers – Work with schools, online academies, or certification programs that are approved to deliver the courses your employees need.

  5. Submit Your Application Early – Each state has its own deadlines and requirements. Early submission increases your chances of securing funding before the grants run out.

  Pro Tip: Many business owners don’t even know this funding exists. By taking these steps, you can turn what was “lost money” into real growth and competitive advantage for your company.

  Summary:
  A $30 million grant is now available to help you upskill your employees—don’t let it slip through your fingers. Every day you wait could mean leaving thousands of dollars per employee on the table. Take action, claim your funding, and transform training into profit, retention, and growth for your business.