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How To Access Funding for Worker Training
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Business New Haven
11/12/2001
By: Anne-Marie Brungard
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So you have vacant positions in your company and nobody to fill them, or you require specially trained employees for specialized tasks and the budget can't handle the additional strain. According to Empower New Haven, identifying, hiring and retaining the right employees is one of the keys to running a successful business. Resources are available to develop customized training programs for your company.
If considering using a customized training program, consider the following:
• Assistance is provided with assessing your current workforce needs and analyzing the job skills required for the open positions.
• Training programs can be custom-designed to meet your company's specific needs if necessary. If you currently have a training program and staff, life-skills training or other components can be added.
• Funds will be set aside to assist with training (both classroom and on-the-job).
• Applicants are brought directly to you. The subsidized training is a benefit for you and the Empowerment Zone (targeted areas of New Haven and West Haven) residents who earn new skills to enhance their value in the marketplace.
How To Qualify for Training Funding
A simple one-page application is required. It covers the type of training you desire, number of employees and years in business. There is no deadline for submission. On the form you will be asked to agree to the following:
• Training will be for positions that cannot be filled by your current workforce. Individuals cannot be trained to displace current employees.
• Trainees must be covered by the company's workers compensation policy.
• You must guarantee to hire or promote Empowerment Zone residents who successfully complete the training.
• Trainees prepare for full-time jobs that offer health benefits and pay no less than $8.50 an hour.
• Business must have been established for at least 18 months (special consideration given to start-ups within the Empowerment Zones).
Upon submission of the application, an on-site interview is scheduled to discuss prerequisites for hiring (e.g., certifications and education requirements). A complete assessment of the company's training needs is conducted at this time.
A training chart is developed that outlines skills to be achieved (what the trainee will be able to do after the training); training methods (including number of training hours required); and benchmarks for measuring the trainees' progress. The timeframe for the training component is also outlined and does not usually exceed 12 weeks.
Next the employer completes the “Statement of Intent To Hire Trainees.” This document outlines the agreement that the company will hire those trainees who successfully complete their training program and outlines wage expectations.
Upon completion of the application process a training plan is outlined. As each company's needs are different, this is done individually for each company. If your business has a training plan and curriculum in place, this would be the time to address additional training needs that may be necessary, such as life-skills development. Individual components can be added that will address issues like time management, communications skills and balancing work/family issues.
If a company does not have internal training personnel, then the training plan will include collaboration with additional vendors and training professionals which may include local community colleges, training programs or specialized trainers. The goal is to have as much of the training conducted in the workplace as possible, so that the potential employees become familiar with the work setting and environment, while learning valuable job skills. Training is customized for that particular business, at that work site.
The review and approval process can take between two to four weeks. Once approved, the company will be sent screened candidates for any training and employment openings. There is no obligation to accept all referred candidates. The existing database contains more than 1,000 potential applicants, whose skill sets and employment goals will be carefully matched to the potential employers.
How To Use Training Funds
On average, training is anticipated to cost between $2,000 and $2,500 per employee. These costs can vary greatly depending on skills to be developed and training methods utilized.
Training expenses are reimbursed and must be directly related to training. Examples include but are not limited to instructor costs, tuition, tools, books, supplies, license fees, drug tests and physicals. Costs that are not allowed include administrative overhead, management fees and equipment purchases.
One hundred percent of actual training expenses will be reimbursed, while 50 percent of on-the-job training is reimbursable.
In addition, trainees are granted a $100 stipend each week during the training to assist with transportation, meals, etc.
As part of the funding agreement, monthly expenditure reports and payment schedules must be submitted. The report will also verify number of employees trained and hired.
Customized Job Training is worth considering by any company that needs people who are specifically trained to work for it.
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