Can a Salem business get AI training paid for?

Usually, yes. Salem employers apply to the same Massachusetts programs as everyone else in the state. With up to 100 W-2 employees in Massachusetts, the Express program can reimburse up to 100% of an approved course, up to $3,000 per person per course and $15,000 per company per year. All five Support Forge courses are pre-approved.

Do Salem teams have to travel for the training?

No. Every course is taught live over video during paid work hours. Hybrid delivery is available on request, and the field service and trades course can also be taught on site.

Who else helps Salem businesses with this?

Salem Chamber of Commerce, MassHire North Shore Workforce Board, North Shore Community Development Coalition. SBTA advising runs through funded nonprofits; you contact them directly. We are not affiliated with any of them.

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North Shore · Essex County

The state can pay for your Salem team’s AI training.

Salem’s private-sector jobs lean on health care, hospitality and retail. Massachusetts reimburses approved AI courses for employers with up to 100 people, and an SBTA-funded nonprofit is based in the city.

See if your team qualifies Massachusetts rules in full

Salem at work

Where AI saves time here.

Salem is home to about 45,400 people (2025 estimate). The largest private-sector employers in Salem, by jobs located in the city in 2025, are below, each with the course built for that kind of work.

Health care and social assistance: 5,055 jobs
Fits: AI Enablement for Small Business Teams
Accommodation and food services: 2,522 jobs
Fits: AI Enablement for Small Business Teams
Retail trade: 2,158 jobs
Fits: AI Enablement for Small Business Teams
Construction: 843 jobs
Fits: AI for Field Service and Trades Businesses
Professional and technical services: 822 jobs
Fits: AI for Professional Practices: Legal, Real Estate and Advisory

Who pays

Three state programs. Your team size picks one.

Salem employers use the same Massachusetts programs as the rest of the state. The programs set the final terms.

Workforce Training Fund Express

For employers with up to 100 W-2 employees in Massachusetts: up to 100% of the course cost, up to $3,000 per person per course and $15,000 per company per year. All five of our courses are pre-approved. Apply at least 21 days before the first session.

Workforce Training Fund General Program

For larger training plans: grants from $10,000 to $200,000, matched one-to-one by the employer. The time your people spend in training can count toward the match.

Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA)

For businesses with fewer than 20 employees and no more than $2.5 million in revenue: business advising paid for by MassDevelopment through funded nonprofits. It does not reimburse training, and you contact a funded organization rather than applying to the state.

Local help

Who else to call in Salem.

Help that sits next to the training. We are not affiliated with any of these organizations.

Chamber of commerce: Salem Chamber of Commerce
Workforce board (hiring and training help): MassHire North Shore Workforce Board
Nearest SBTA-funded advising nonprofit (March 2026 round). Ask whether it serves Salem.: North Shore Community Development Coalition · Salem

Two minutes

See if your Salem team qualifies.

Tell us your team size. We show you which program fits and what it pays, right away.

Questions we get

From Salem owners.

Can a Salem business get AI training paid for?: Usually, yes. Salem employers apply to the same Massachusetts programs as everyone else in the state. With up to 100 W-2 employees in Massachusetts, the Express program can reimburse up to 100% of an approved course, up to $3,000 per person per course and $15,000 per company per year. All five Support Forge courses are pre-approved.
Do Salem teams have to travel for the training?: No. Every course is taught live over video during paid work hours. Hybrid delivery is available on request, and the field service and trades course can also be taught on site.
Who else helps Salem businesses with this?: Salem Chamber of Commerce, MassHire North Shore Workforce Board, North Shore Community Development Coalition. SBTA advising runs through funded nonprofits; you contact them directly. We are not affiliated with any of them.

Nearby

Talk to us about Salem All five courses

Local facts checked October 26, 2026 against: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 population estimates; Mass. Dept. of Economic Research, ES-202 employment and wages, 2025; MassDevelopment SBTA awards, March 3, 2026. Support Forge LLC is a registered training provider with the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Express program and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Commonwealth Corporation, MassDevelopment or any organization named on this page.