DED awards job training funds

A second round of customized training funds totaling nearly $2 million has been approved by the Missouri Department of Economic Development and its Division of Workforce Development.

According to a DED news release, 64 companies will receive money to facilitate training for current and new employees. Local companies recieving funds include 3M ($40,250) and NorthStar Battery Company ($57,500) of Springfield; Lowe Boats Inc. of Lebanon ($12,650); and Lifetime Lumber Inc. of Mountain Gove ($28,750). Statewide, the funds are targeted to help pay for training programs that are customized according to industry and company needs. The funds, which are to be used for the fiscal year that began July 1, will facilitate training for more than 6,600 employees in the state.

"Investing in our work force is an important step toward ensuring economic security for all Missourians and our businesses," said Kelvin L. Simmons, DED director, in the release. "The training grants will allow employees to increase their skills, which will likely lead to them becoming more employable and earning a higher wage."

Money for the training was appropriated by the General Assembly to the Missouri Job Development Fund. The money will be administered through the state's Customized Training Program. The Missouri Job Development Fund assists new or expanding businesses that wish to either train employees in newly created jobs, or retain and upgrade the skills of current employees. The overall purpose of the program is to increase and improve the quality of Missouri's work force through training initiatives, which are intended to raise Missouri worker productivity.

The Customized Training Program is offered in cooperation with the Department pf Elementary and Secondary Education and administered by community colleges and vocational/technical schools. Training is done in a classroom setting or on-site at the companies.