Professional development is for everyone! The goal of this four module workshop series is to promote employee success on the job, increase retention and develop soft skills among all employees. The workshop modules topic areas are entitled:

The dates for the next two series are as follows: January 22 & 29, February 5 & 12. The following series will run March 4,11,18 & 25.
Please note for new employees (not in seasonal positions) on the job less than four months there is no cost for the entire four-module program providing the employee is making less than $15.00/hr. and the employer completes a post-evaluation of their employee's skill gain.
Please call for more information.

Columbia Greene Workforce New York has received a grant to assist a small number of businesses with developing or updating their businesses' strategic plans. The Center for Economic Growth and MDI Associates are the consultants developing the plans. NYSDOL has awarded the grant money based on Industry clusters. The businesses served by the funds must fall into either of the following Industry Sectors to qualify: Professional, Scientific & Technical, Leisure & Hospitality: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation or Leisure & Hospitality: Accommodations & Food Service. The strategic plans will focus on training needs of the business. DOL's hope is once companies have their strategic plans, including training assessments they will be in a good position to apply for grant funding for those identified areas through the NYSDOL BUilding Skills in New York, #32I grant, (see below.) If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity and would like to be considered to have a strategic plan developed please call.

Columbia Greene Community College will offer a 3 credit, AH 114 Medical Terminology Course this Spring. This course is suitable for new hires in the medical office environment or those that may need a brush up. The class will run Thursday nights from 6pm-8:45pm.

The course is an introduction to prefixes, roots, combining forms and suffixes which are the component parts used to build medical terminology. These terms are then defined abbreviations, drug highlights,information on diagnostic tests and human anatomy are integrated throughout. In the fall of 2004 a Medical Transcription class will be offered.

"Business Telephone Communications, What Service Makes Sense for Your Business"

BUSINYS is an effort to support business with the development of their workforce by providing funds for employee training. Apply on line at New York State Department of Labor, Workforce New York website at www.workforcenewyork.com. Grant awards are up to $100,000!!! Don't wait, apply now!
Please call me for assistance with your application.

This Management E-learning Pilot Program is funded by the State Labor Department in cooperation with the State Workforce Investment Board and is offered at no cost to qualified businesses.

The program offers more than 450 courses from its Management Library covering a wide variety of topics such as communications skills, team building, conflict resolution, negotiating skills and project planning. Courses provide both pre-and post-tests so increased competencies can be easily assessed.
For a listing of courses click the following link: http://www.workforcenewyork.com/elearning/list6.htm
(Please note if you participate in this project are not eligible to apply for the above BUilding Skills grant.)

Empire State Development (ESD), Environmental Services Unit (ESU) is accepting applications from businesses for funding in 2003-2004 to help improve environmental performance. The Environmental Investment Program (EIP), invests in projects that:

• Lead to the reuse, recycling, and/or remanufacturing of materials otherwise destined for disposal.


• Result in pollution prevention by reducing the volume and/or toxicity of waste before it is generated.

EIP invests in projects that produce measurable and verifiable results. These include increased productivity and competitiveness, recycling capacity, pollution prevention, and job creation and retention.

Capital Projects- ESU may invest up to 50% of the eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $500,000.

RD&D Projects- ESU may invest up to 80% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of $200,000.

Technical Assistance Projects- Not-for-profit organizations or municipalities directly assisting New York State business.

A guide that explains EIP objectives and eligibility criteria in more detail is available by calling ESU at (800) STATE-NY or, visiting us online at www.nylovesbiz.com

E-Grants Unveiled for Organizations interested in federal funding.
The following website www.grants.gov is a single comprehensive site that contains information about finding and applying for all federal grant programs. The Web site now has information about more than 800 available grant programs involving all 26 federal grant-making agencies. The site provides information in a standardized format across the agencies and includes a "Federal Grant Opportunities" feature to help applicants find potential funding opportunities. The site also contains an "Apply for Grants" feature that greatly simplifies the application process by allowing applicants to download,complete, and submit applications for specific grant opportunities from any federal grant-making agency.

Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Noon - 1:30 pm  (additional networking until 2:00 pm)
Meadowgreens Restaurant, 1238 Rt. 9H, Ghent
Reservation Deadline: January 9, 2004
$18 Members/ $25 Non-Members

The American Business Awards is the first national, all-encompassing business awards program in the United States. Founded in 2002 the Stevie Awards are "the business world's own Oscar Awards," as the New York Post called them. The mission of the Stevie Awards is to recognize and generate public awareness of excellence in the workplace. The American Business Awards are currently seeking nominees in over 40 categories, some including Best Human Resource Executive, Best Human Resource Organization, others award categories are Media, Team, Individual and many more. For more information http://stevieawards.com/aba/, applications are due by January 23, 2003.

Thursday, January 8  5:00 - 9:00pm
Lift Tickets: $12; Rentals: $11; Lessons: $6.00
Reservations not required  tickets sold at the gate
Sponsors: Catamount Ski Area and Fingar Insurance

Nominations are now being requested for the 15th Annual Crystal Apple Award. For criteria and a nomination form please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 828-4417. The winner will be announced on February 27, 2004 at the Crystal Apple Gala to be held at the Pleshakov Music Center.

The New York State Small Business Awards are presented annually to honor outstanding small businesses. Awards are presented to the Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Advocate of the Year and Small Business Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year during a ceremony which recognizes the exceptional achievements of the award winner.
The New York State Small Business Advisory Board and the Division for Small Business are now accepting applications for the awards, the 2004 Award application is available at www.nylovessmallbiz.com/home.asp.

If you have comments or feel this newsletter is helpful to you please let me know!

Maureen Boutin
Business Services Representative
Columbia Greene Workforce New York
4400 Route 23
Hudson, New York 12534
518-828-4181 ext. 5510
www.columbiagreeneworks.org

index page | job seeker services | business services
youth services |support services | career center
workforce investment board | news & events