DATE: July 1, 2010
CONTACT: John Fougere, (573) 522-5058

JEFFERSON CITY – Governor Nixon announced today that Missouri will receive a $1,284,243 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help dislocated workers receive training that allows them to upgrade their skills while they earn wages. The grants were awarded nationally through On-the-Job Training National Emergency Grants funded by the Recovery Act.

The Department of Economic Development's Division of Workforce Development (DWD) will administer the grant.

"This grant will help us greatly increase the number of Missouri workers and businesses that benefit from this successful program," said Julie Gibson, Director of DWD. "Already this year, DWD has assisted 405 individuals participating in our On-the-Job training efforts, which make it possible for hardworking Missourians to increase their marketable skills while still earning a paycheck."

"As our economic recovery takes hold, this investment presents a win-win scenario," said U.S. Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis. "After all, workers are not the only ones who benefit from the approach. On-the-job training programs also offer tremendous returns for employers who commit time and other resources to training and hiring employees."

DWD has been emphasizing the On-the-Job Training Program since the fall of 2009 to help businesses save training costs while preparing new hires for their vital jobs.

Missouri's On-the-Job Training Program reimburses 50% or more of the wages of dislocated workers hired through the program. It also provides businesses a good, convenient source of qualified employees with a variety of valuable skill sets, plus program business liaisons take care of the necessary paperwork and coordination.

See www.workforce.mo.gov and www.MissouriCareerSource.com to learn more about career assistance and training services available through Missouri's workforce system.