State releases millions for job training

The Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development July 25 distributed $3.5 million in fiscal year 2006 training grants through the Missouri Customized Training Program. Earlier this month, Gov. Matt Blunt announced the release of $2.4 million in assistance.

Funds will be used to offset costs of training and upgrade skills of Missouri workers. More than 9,462 employees at 63 companies will receive classroom training.

Five Springfield businesses received funds: Edmonds Dental Prosthetics Inc., $34,500; Kraft Foods Inc., $31,625; Reckitt & Benckiser, $28,750; Ridwell Corporation, $20,125; and SRC Training Consortium, $57,500.

Marita Dreiling, CPA controller at Edmonds, said the dental lab will use the funds to train new and existing employees in tooth morphology at the company’s on-site training facility.

“Technology is changing all the time – there are different systems and materials that have to be used,” she said. “Things change so fast. We have to keep up, or we’ll be left behind.”

Ozarks Technical Community College helps administer training programs for companies who received funds but do not have an on-site facility.