C-GCC Receives Training Funds for Local Businesses

Columbia-Greene Community College, a Workforce New York agency, has been awarded a $100,000 Department of Labor grant to provide employee-training options for Columbia and Greene County businesses.

As part of DOL's Addressing Local Skills Shortages Project, the grant will fund training in both supervisory and computer-software skills. The grant will also fund the implementation of a Master Employee/New Employee Orientation project.

"This grant gives us the opportunity to respond to the training needs expressed by local employers through a survey that was conducted by the Workforce Investment Board last year", said Karen Diffley, chairperson of the Workforce Investment Board of Columbia and Greene Counties, which oversees Workforce New York services.

"The results of our local survey," said Diffley, "are nearly identical to the results of similar surveys conducted around the state.

"Employers are concerned about keeping up with technology. They are concerned about the social and interpersonal communication skills of their new workers and they want to help their front-line supervisors develop cohesive and efficient work teams."

All Greene and Columbia County employers can apply for training funds to assist their full-time year-round employees. The funds available for customized training are flexible and will be managed by the Workforce Investment Office at the college. "The employer can choose the length and complexity of the training, as well as a vendor to offer the classes", according to M. A. Wiltse, Director of the Workforce Investment Office. "The computer software training can cover anything from a basics Windows class to an in-depth Auto Cad course.

"The supervisor training can be on any topic that will help to develop the skills of newly promoted supervisors."

A small amount of funds, according to Wiltse, is available for employee technical training that leads to an industry-recognized certification.

A New Employee Orientation Program is also being funded by the project. The goal of the program is to better prepare new workers for success on the job and improve employee retention.
"The Workforce Investment Board will be recruiting employers to participate in this pilot project," said Diffley. "Most employers agree on the skills new workers need to succeed on the job.

"What this project hopes to do is to find a time efficient and cost efficient method of providing this soft skills training to new hires."

Employers participating in the orientation program will provide feedback on the success of the class. Both skill improvement and program convenience will be measured.

For information on applying for program participation, employers can call WIO at C-GCC at (518) 828-4181, ext. 5510.

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If you can't find something you are looking for, please contact the Columbia-Greene Career Center for more assistance, (518) 828-4181 ext. 5510,TDD/TTY (518) 828-1399 or e-mail us .