$1 million grant helps employers who hire the long-term unemployed

Published 4:49 pm Thursday, March 24, 2011

The Northwest Georgia Workforce Investment Board has received a $1.092 million training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant provides reimbursement of training costs to employers who hire long-term unemployed job seekers in 15 Northwest Georgia counties, including Whitfield and Murray.

The grant is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

“During this time of economic recovery, many dislocated workers, in order to re-enter the work force, need on-the-job training for the skills that are in demand by employers,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “This grant will help both employers and employees.”

This is the way the program works: When an employer hires a new employee, there are certain costs associated with orientation and training. The grant helps with those costs. Qualified employees who have been working with a Georgia Department of Labor career counselor are referred to the employer. If the employer hires the candidate, the trainee is provided the same opportunities and benefits as other employees, while receiving training to increase their job skills and become a more productive worker for the company.

The training period can range from six to 16 weeks. And, the employer is eligible to receive a payment of as much as 90 percent of the wages earned by the trainee during this period. A qualified trainee must be unemployed for 16 weeks or longer to participate in the program. Potential employers must be in the private-for-profit or nonprofit sectors. The program is not an option for public sector jobs.

For 50 or fewer employees, the reimbursement for employers is up to 90 percent, 75 percent for employers with 51 to 250 workers, and up to 50 percent for employers with 251 or more employees.

The Dalton Career Center serves Whitfield and Murray counties. Kevin Hodge is the career adviser. The phone number is (706) 272-2301.