The 2007 funding is now available for the MSRP. Grants can be made for up to $7,500 to fund up to half the project cost for façade improvements such as painting, new wooden siding, cleaning and re-pointing of bricks, awnings, storefront lighting, signage, wood windows and doors, and other renovations. The program also provides hands-on assistance, design guidelines and professional architectural services to help insure the integrity of historic restoration work while making it easier for the property owner to implement projects.

Greene County is partnering with Catskill Mountain Housing Development Corporation and the Heart of Catskill Association to provide additional funding through the New York Main Street Program for portions of Main Street in Cairo, Tannersville and Catskill. The same application used to apply for MSRP funds can be used for this special funding.

Applications can be obtained online at www.greeneeconomicdevelopment.com, for more information, call (518) 719-3290.

Are you looking for an effective proven way to increase your retention rates for new hires? Do you wish all workers had some basic level of workplace skills? If you answered Yes to either of these questions, the Employee Enhancement Program is for you! This four module workshop is designed to help new employees with the soft skills necessary for success on the job. The next class will be offered April 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th. All sessions run on Thursday mornings from 9-12am.

Call today to find out how Workforce New York can benefit your business!

Workshop topics include:
Having it All-Managing Your Job & Life
Employee Strategies for Creating On-the-Job Success
Communication at Work; Pulling Together-Being Part of Your Work Team
Business is a Service Thing- Excellent Customer Service for both Internal & External Customers

Please note that for new employees (not in seasonal positions) who have been hired after December 5th grant funding is available to cover the cost for the entire four-module program. The employee must be earning less than $15.00/hr. and the employer must complete a post-evaluation of their employee’s skill gain. For other employees there is a $50.00 fee per module or $175.00 for the series plus a one time book fee of $10.00.

Take advantage of our quick hitting Microsoft classes at Columbia Greene Community College.

Microsoft Business Applications Training: 9:00am-4:00pm, $87.00, Instructor: The Learning House

• Excel 2003, Level 2, Monday, March 26th
• Access 2003 Level 1, Monday, April 16th
• Access 2003 Level 2, Monday, April 23rd
• Access 2003 Level 3, Monday, April 30th
• Power Point 2003 Level I, Monday May 7th
• Intro to Quickbooks, Monday, May 21st

Other Microsoft Trainings, Instructor: Susan Loguidice

• Introduction to Word, Tuesday, April 17th 6-9pm, or May 22nd 6-9 pm $28.00
• Microsoft Windows XP, 2 Tuesday's begins March 27th 6-9pm, $42.00
  or 2 Tuesday's begins May 1st 6-9pm, $42.00

Call Columbia Greene Community College @ 828-4181 ext. 3342 during regular business hours for instant registration.

As challenges to employment decisions in administrative proceeding and litigation grow this session will provide participants with the tools needed to successfully defend employment decisions. Through a review of mistakes employers commonly make, participants will gain insight into how employee discipline and discharges are scrutinized by jurors, judges and third parties.

Note: This program has been approved for 1.5 recertification credit hours towards the PHR & SPHR recertification through the HRCI.

Date: Thursday, March 29, 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A. M., $15.00 per person
Trainer: Joanmarie Dowling, is an attorney at Bond Schoeneck and King
Contact: Debra Lombardo: 828-4654 x 209; Fax 828-8474 E-mail: debra.lombardo@labor.state.ny.us

Everyone benefits when you know your work is meaningful, and your work becomes meaningful when you learn how to make your gifts a part of it. This is a great opportunity for individuals, supervisors, work teams, and HR directors to learn more about the conditions that lead to increased engagement and satisfaction from work.

Trainer: Patrice Jenkins, CGCC Assistant Academic Dean and founder of Gifts to Goals (a personal/career development program), to learn more about the program visit www.giftstogoals.com.
Date: Sat., April 14th 9-11:30 a.m, $37.00
To register contact: 828-4181 ext. 3342

This training is designed for employees of retail and lodging facilities. The goal of the training is to improve the quality of customer service provided by front-line employees, in a fun and creative learning environment.

Traditional interviewing not getting you the long term high performance employees your organization needs to survive and thrive? If not behavior-based interviewing may be the answer. This workshop will provide strategies for interviewing entry –level to managerial employees. Topics covered include creating questions, solicit examples of past behavior to predict future behavior, note taking, interview evaluation. Illegal questions will be provided as well as “best ever” interview questions.

See the below list of available trainings offered in Albany. Remember all classes are free and if you have ten or more trainees there is the possibility the training can be offered at your worksite! See the following website for details and contact information. http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/safetyhealth/DOSH_TRAINING.shtm

This course will help you develop and maintain a successful safety and health program. Learn the elements needed to achieve an effective program. Sample guides will be provided to assist you with this task.

March 23, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
NYS Department of Labor, State Office Building Campus, Building 12—Training Room B, Albany

This training has been specifically developed to address the hazards commonly found in the hospitality and tourism industries, such as hotels/motels, restaurants, fast-food establishments, resorts, amusement parks, wineries, etc. Employers, supervisors, workers, and teens starting their first jobs can benefit from this seminar. You will learn how to identify and protect against many of the common hazards that cause injuries, e.g., slips/trips/falls, burns/cuts, electrical, back injuries, chemicals, fire hazards, etc.

May 15, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m
NYS Department of Labor, State Office Building Campus Building 12—Training Room 288, Albany

This two-day course provides an introduction to major issues and hazards and related OSHA regulations in the construction industry. Topics will include electrical safety, fall protection, chemical hazard communication and other safety and health topics to be arranged. Participants must attend all 10 hours of class to be eligible to receive an OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety and Health wallet size certificate card

March 15 and 16, 2007, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
NYS Department of Labor, State Office Building Campus Building 12—Training Room D, Albany

This course is designed to help you identify methods and strategies to address the prevention of workplace violence. A discussion will be held on what steps you need to take to help prevent workplace violence situations.

June 8, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
NYS Department of Labor, State Office Building Campus, Building 12—Training Room B, Albany

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