WORKFORCE TRAINING FUND CAN PAY FOR APICS TRAINING
 Go to www.detma.org/workforce or www.mass.gov

From the Saturday, March 26, 2005, Springfield (MA) Republican:

Western Massachusetts area training grants to companies
from the Mass Department Of Workforce Development.

The Top-Flite Golf Co., Chicopee: $325,753 to train 322 workers
in Lean Manufacturing.

The Yankee Candle Co, Deerfield: $190,125 to train 120 workers
in Lean Manufacturing.

U.S. Tsubaki Automotive Division, Chicopee: $87,495 to train 235 workers
in teambuilding.

Specialty Loose Leaf, Holyoke: $73,008 to train 104 employees in
Lean Manufacturing.

To help employers to take advantage of these grants, the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County will hold a meeting on Thursday, March 31, 2005, at Careerpoint, Holyoke.
To register, call George Kozach at (413) 755-1356.

About the Workforce Training Fund Overview
 The Division of Employment and Training (DET), an agency of the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development, administers the Workforce Training Fund. The fund provides resources to Massachusetts businesses and workers to train current and newly hired employees. Its goal is to help improve employee skills and maintain the economic strength of the Commonwealth's businesses.

Two Programs
There are two Workforce Training Fund programs: the General Program and the Express Program. There are different applications, grant limits and approval processes for each program. Read our pamphlet Put Massachusetts Workers on the Right Course  (PDF file: 2.253 MB) for a side-by-side comparison of both programs. Starting in September 2001, the Workforce Training Fund launches the Express Program, targeted to small employers - with a maximum of 50 employees in Massachusetts - and labor organizations. It features an easy-to-complete online application, an online database of training providers, open application period and quick turnaround. The maximum grant amount is $15,000 annually.

The Workforce Training Fund General Program awards up to a maximum of $250,000 in funding. Applications for these grants are more detailed and are reviewed by an advisory panel of business and labor leaders. Applications must be filed according to the deadline set for each round. The deadline for the next round is Monday, July 8, 2002.

Grants Awarded
Since the first round of grants in March 1999, the fund has awarded $28,492,000 to provide a wide range of training for approximately 51,000 Massachusetts workers. The fund has also awarded almost $1,500,000 in grants to 43 Workforce Investment Boards, community colleges and labor organizations to provide technical assistance to the Commonwealth's employers.

Lists of grant recipients by region are available for each round in What's New.

To Learn More
 Go to www.detma.org/workforce or www.mass.gov and check out answers to the frequently asked questions, Workforce Training Fund publications and look up program updates under What's New.