The N.C. Department of Commerce has awarded $989,979 for Incumbent Workforce Development Training Program projects to aid 52 companies and more than 1,700 workers statewide. The funding will allow companies to conduct productivity-enhancing, educational and skills training for workers.
The 50 awards, administered by the Division of Workforce Development and local Area Workforce Development Boards, will go to a wide array of companies, from manufacturing, engineering and shipping firms to those specializing in communication, health and food. Two of the 50 grants were collaborative, so the employees of 52 companies will benefit from the training. A total of 55 proposals were submitted in January from 20 local workforce boards.
“North Carolina’s workforce has a reputation for hard work, professionalism and versatility,” Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco said. “This program, and the productivity and enhanced skills it supports, is designed to benefit our state’s valued companies and the workers that form the core of their business strength.”
Grants were made in the following counties: Alamance, Ashe, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Cumberland, Currituck, Davie, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Harnett, Iredell, Lincoln, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Moore, Orange, Pitt, Randolph, Rowan, Rutherford, Scotland, Stanly, Wake, Wilson and Yadkin. Under the program, companies also contribute training funds.
The program is funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act. The 2009 Program Year Incumbent Workforce Development Training Program Guidelines and Application are available on the Commerce Website at:
www.nccommerce.com/en/WorkforceServices/FindInformationForEmployers/IncumbentWorkerProgram/.
The Department of Commerce is the state’s lead economic development agency, developing and implementing long-term strategies around job creation and investment, community and workforce development, and innovation. For more information, see http://www.nccommerce.com.