(Wilkes-Barre, PA, November 11, 2010) – The Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board (L/S WIB) is alerting employers and business owners about an “On-the-Job Training” program that could save them up to $5,000 per employee.
L/S WIB Executive Director Lucyann Vierling said the “On-the-Job Training” program offered through PA CareerLink® is one of the quickest and easiest ways for employers to offset the cost of training its workers.
“Not every job applicant or employee has the skills necessary to tackle a new position. The Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board’s ‘On-the Job Training’ Program helps your business save money while turning a great candidate into a productive and profitable employee,” Vierling said.
The program is designed primarily for the individual who does not have the related education, training or work experience to immediately qualify for a particular job. Employers receive a reimbursement of up to 50% of the trainee’s wages (not to exceed $5,000) to help offset the costs of training during a fixed training period of up to 26 weeks.
“Upon successful completion of the training, the employer is expected to retain the trainee as a regular full-time employee,” Vierling said.
L/S WIB Board Chairwoman Martha Herron urged businesses to take advantage of this workforce training program as they retool and recover from the recession.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel, and as the economy picks up, we are seeing more and more businesses expanding, but often they need some assistance. This program helps businesses offset the costs of hiring employees who need additional training to do the job for which they are being hired,” Herron said.
“Businesses should contact their local PA CareerLink® office to see how the on-the-job training program can help them… but it’s up to business owners and management to take that first step to get the ball rolling,” Herron said.
Eligible companies include any private for-profit, private non-profit, or public sector employer that is not in violation of local, Commonwealth or Federal laws and/or regulations which prohibit its ability to contract, and that is in compliance with such entity's rules for lawful business operation. Private sector employers receive priority.
This training must be provided by the employer to a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) eligible trainee who has completed the required core and intensive services available via the PA CareerLink® system, who has been unsuccessful in obtaining employment through such services, and who has been approved for on-the-job training participation by the PA CareerLink® staff.
For more information, contact your local PA CareerLink® office:
- Wilkes-Barre – 570-826-2401
- Hazleton – 570-459-3854
- Pottsville – 570-622-5253.
