Frequently asked questions
Answers about the course, Workforce Training Fund funding, data safety and logistics. If your question is not here, book a short call or send a message.
The course
Who is the course for?
Business development, marketing, finance and accounting, and project management professionals at construction, architecture, and engineering firms, and any office-based professional who wants foundational AI skills. No prior AI experience is needed.
How long is it?
Twelve instructional hours: three live, instructor-led 4-hour sessions, one a week for three weeks, during normal work hours. Breaks are not counted in the 12 hours.
How big is a cohort?
Up to 15 people per cohort, delivered in person or virtually.
Is there a test?
Yes. Completion requires attending all three sessions, passing a short hands-on capstone, and passing a 16-question written assessment. Trainees who complete the course receive a certificate.
Can we use our own documents in class?
No. Every exercise uses realistic sample documents we supply, so nobody brings confidential client, bid or employee information to class. Applying the method to your own work happens after the course.
Which AI tools do you train on?
The course covers the major AI assistants, including Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini. The core skills carry over between them: clear prompting, giving the tool the right context, checking its output, and handling company data responsibly.
We already use ChatGPT. Is this still useful?
Yes. Teams that already experiment on their own often benefit most, because the course gives everyone a shared vocabulary, shared standards and clear rules on what is safe to enter.
Cost and funding
How much does it cost?
$1,250 per trainee. A cohort of 12 is $15,000, which matches the Express Program annual cap.
Can the Workforce Training Fund pay for it?
The course is listed in the Express Course Directory as C-16448. Eligible Massachusetts employers with 100 or fewer employees may be reimbursed for some or all of the cost, up to $3,000 per person per course and $15,000 per business per calendar year. Commonwealth Corporation makes all award decisions.
Do we pay first?
Yes. Express is a reimbursement program. You pay our invoice in full after training, then submit the reimbursement request with the invoice, proof of payment and the list of trainees.
Do you charge for help with the application?
No. We help with the application at no charge, and we give you a step-by-step guide. Your company submits the application itself.
How far ahead do we need to apply?
At least 21 days before the first session, with no exceptions. Training can start up to six months after you apply.
What if we have more than 12 people?
Cohorts can have up to 15 people. Express covers up to $15,000 per business per calendar year, so firms often split larger teams across two calendar years or pay the difference for extra trainees.
Can contractors or temps attend?
They can attend at your own cost, but only W-2 employees working in Massachusetts can be included in an Express grant.
Can someone take the course twice with grant funding?
No. A trainee cannot repeat the same or similar grant-funded training within five years.
We have more than 100 employees. Are we eligible?
Not for Express, but larger employers can apply to the Workforce Training Fund General Program, a competitive application built around a company-wide training plan.
Data and safety
How is our company data kept safe?
The course uses de-identified sample documents we supply. We also teach a clear list of information that should never be entered into any AI tool, along with acceptable use, confidentiality and cost controls.
Do you provide an AI policy?
We share a sample acceptable use policy your firm can adapt with your own counsel. We provide training and templates, not legal advice.
Logistics
Do employees need AI accounts?
Yes. Each participant needs a laptop and an account with the AI assistant your firm chooses, set up before the first session. Accounts are not part of the course price.
Are trainees paid for the time?
Yes. Sessions happen during normal work hours and employees are paid their regular wages, which Express requires.
What happens if someone misses a session?
Tell us before the session. Completion and full reimbursement depend on attending all three sessions, so we will talk through the options with you.
Do you offer help after the course?
Yes, as a separate service. Adoption services such as setting up shared projects or office hours are consulting, are not grant-funded, and are never required to take the course.