This grant application will assist businesses to train incumbent workers in specific, transferable occupational skills that lead to career growth and increase in wages. Companies can apply for $50,000 per year with a lifetime maximum of $100,000. Please read the Request for Application carefully, there are many differences from past applications. Two main differences are business with over 100 employees must pay a cash match of 25% of the cost of training and training is capped at $2,000 per trainee. Public, federal, state, county and local employers are not eligible to apply for this grant. To obtain details go to http://www.workforcenewyork.org/rfa25-m/rfa25m.htm. If you are interested in applying call the name listed below to obtain assistance with the process and also learn about local employee training opportunities.

Are you looking 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 runs September 6th, 13th, 20st & 27th . 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 May 6th 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 summer quick hitting Microsoft classes at Columbia Greene Community College.

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

• Access 2003 Level 1, Monday, August 6th
• Access 2003 Level 2, Monday, August 13th
• Power Point 2003 Level I, Monday July 30th

Microsoft Windows XP:6-9pm, $42.00, Instructor: Susan LoGuidice

• 2 Tuesday's begins July 24th
• 2 Tuesday's begins August 2nd

This lunch seminar will present the components of the Fair Labor Standards Act and common areas of review by Wage and Hour auditors. This law was revised in 2004 and we will discuss both federal and NY wage and hour compliance topics. We will probe the gray areas of exempt and non-exempt classifications and pay policies and practice. It will be useful to bring a small calculator.
Covered topics will include: a high level review of FLSA; how conflicts in the law are resolved; how to conduct overtime exemption classification tests; overtime payment calculation methods; what constitutes a salaried basis; compensatory time; travel time, on call time, meal time, record keeping and MUCH more! Bring your trickiest problems for the Q & A session!
Note: This program has been approved for 2 .5 recertification credit hours towards the PHR & SPHR recertification through the HRCI.

Date: Thursday, September 20, 2007
Time: 11:30 a.m. – Noon Registration & Lunch
Noon – 2:30 p.m. Program, Questions & Answers $15.00 per person, cost includes lunch
Where: Columbia Greene Community College, Professional Academic Center, lower level
Trainer: Diane Lustenader, SPHR, GPHR, CCP, GRP is President of Lake Associates a human resources consulting firm in Albany and Chicago.
Contact: Debra Lombardo: 828-4654 ext. 4209; Fax 828-8474 E-mail: debra.lombardo@labor.state.ny.us

TThe 'e-News’ convenient format will put IRS tax information at your fingertips. “Useful Links” brings you quickly to some of the most useful information on IRS.gov for large and small businesses and the self-employed. To start your FREE subscription to e-News, just go to IRS.gov at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/content/0,,id=154826,00.html, type in your e-mail address and submit.

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 or contact Robert Francis, Francis.Bob@dol.gov, (518) 457-2810 – Phone, (518) 457-1639 – Fax for further information. http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/safetyhealth/DOSH_TRAINING.shtm

Accident Investigation

Even the best Accident Prevention Program cannot eliminate every incident or accident. However, something can be learned from each incident so it does not happen again. This session is designed to help you learn how to investigate all incidents in your workplace and how to use that information to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.
August 3, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
NYS Department of Labor, State Office Building Campus, Albany, Building 12, Training Room A

Preventing Workplace Violence

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.
September 7, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
NYS Department of Labor, State Office Building Campus, Albany, Building 12, Training Room D

Hospitality and Tourism Safety

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 staring 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.
September 14, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
NYS Department of Labor, State Office Building Campus, Albany, NY Building 12, Training Room A

The Energy Alliance is a cost saving energy program offered by both Columbia and Greene County Chambers of Commerce for their membership at no additional cost. The Energy Alliance aims to reduce energy expenses through the joint buying power of Chamber members. Call 943-4222, Greene County Chamber or 828-4417, Columbia County Chamber for further information.