Company History. Since 1974
Formed in 1974, the Western Maryland Consortium was created through an agreement between the Boards of County Commissioners of member counties – Allegany, Garrett, and Washington – to provide workforce development services to regional residents.
The mission of the Consortium is to provide informational, educational, and job training services to unemployed or underemployed adults, youth, and dislocated workers who are residents of western Maryland.
Our services are funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) with the goals of increasing employment, retention, earnings, and occupational skills of participants. As a result, the State of Maryland and nation as a whole will experience improved workforce quality, reduced welfare dependency, and enhanced productivity and competitiveness.
Western Maryland Consortium is now a Recovery Friendly Workplace.
“Through our participation in Maryland’s Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Initiative, the Western Maryland Consortium has made the decision to commit to maintaining a safe, healthy, and stigma-free workplace. As a Recovery Friendly Workplace, we will promote an environment where employees and our greater community can collaborate to effect positive change and eliminate barriers for those impacted by addiction. We invite employees to reach out for support and encourage all employees to learn more about resources in our community.”
For more information, plese contact Stacey Ferrare at 301-791-3076 ext. 117
To ensure transparency and responsibility, we acknowledge and disclose the following federal funding.
Total WIOA
The total of all WIOA grant funding available for Fiscal Year 2026 is $2,315,861. WIOA grants are fully funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through a combination of grants covering multiple years as described below. More funds will become available in October 2025 but these amounts are yet to be determined.
WIOA Adult
Three WIOA Adult grants are currently active in Fiscal Year 2026. The WIOA Adult Program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The total WIOA Adult funds available in FY26 from these grants are $674,521. Another grant will become active in October 2025. Amount of this grant is yet to be determined.
WIOA Dislocated Worker
Two WIOA Dislocated Worker grants are currently active in Fiscal Year 2026. The WIOA Dislocated Worker Program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The total WIOA Dislocated Worker funds available in FY26 from these grants are $492,611. Another grant will become active in October 2025. Amount of this grant is yet to be determined.
WIOA Youth
Two WIOA Youth grants will be active in Fiscal Year 2026. The WIOA Youth Program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The total WIOA Youth funds available in FY26 are $1,148,729.
RECOVERY FRIENDLY WORKPLACE
The Recovery Friendly Workplace grant is a multi-year grant fully funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The available funds for FY26 are $202,136.
ARPA II
The multi-year ARPA II grant is fully funded by the Federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act and distributed by the State of MD/U.S. Department of Labor for distribution to the Local Workforce Areas. The available funds for FY26 are $122,799.
QUEST
The multi-year Quest grant is fully funded by the Federal government and distributed by the State of MD/U.S. Department of Labor for distribution to the Local Workforce Areas. The available funds for FY26 are $994,067.
