Looking forward, we are all concerned about what the economy will bring and how it will impact our ability to keep our company and employees at the top of their game.  With so many changes in the marketplace, it becomes even more critical to continue to train employees in the best manufacturing practices to assure jobs stay in New Jersey.  The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) through the Workforce Development partnership (WDP) provides financial assistance to make certain that happens.
 
Through the Office of Grants Operations, the NJDOL provides a number of funding opportunities for New Jersey Businesses: Customized Training Grants, Literacy Skills Training Grants, Apprenticeship Programs, Green Jobs Training Partnership program, and Manufacturing Incentive Program.
 
The Department and the NJMEP have strategically partnered to ensure that New Jersey Manufacturers are aware of the Customized Training Grants and effectively take advantage of the opportunity to leverage state training dollars to train employees.  To help those interested in applying for Customized Training Grants, the NJDOL hosts technical workshops quarterly to provide assistance in completing the application process.  In addition, mini workshops, which require an RSVP, are scheduled twice a week.  The grants are competitive, so it is important to understand the process and what the department is looking for in the application.  NJMEP has a significant level of expertise in helping many NJ manufacturers in securing Customized Training Grants and implementing the training.  In fact, NJMEP has assisted New Jersey manufactures to secure an average of $2.5 million in Customized Training Grants over the past three years. 
 
Three points that will be key in the application process for FY 2009-2010 are:
1)      The program for which funding is requested must be realistic in scope and deliverability.
2)      A Career Ladder – Is there a career path on which employees can improve their position within the company.
3)      The Narrative – What do employees need to succeed in the organization and what does the organization need to meet its mission.  The narrative needs to provide a clear explanation of the vision and goals of the applying organization and how both employees and the business will benefit from enhancing the skills of the workers.
 
The State is expecting the grants to assist in the creation of new jobs, the retention of jobs and/or increasing in wages for the trained workers.  A clearly written narrative defines the parameters on which to measure the success of the training program and should lay the foundation for indicating how the State’s objectives in funding the training have been met. 
 
It’s no secret that the State is facing significant budget challenges just as businesses have been challenged by the economy.  However, the Governor remains committed to help NJ businesses to remain and grow in the State.
 
When Ana Montero joined the Office of Grants Operations as Assistant Director, just as any business owner would do, she looked at her organization, then conducted an assessment that determined the application process could be improved to assist businesses and streamline efforts.  After talking with businesses, stakeholders and staff, Montero determined she needed to publish a schedule of application and notification dates as applicants had previously no way of determining when grants would be awarded.  She also made certain the application process was open, competitive and transparent to reflect the Governor’s new ethics code.  Clients explained they were often unclear as to what the department was looking for in the application.  To address this concern the quarterly workshops were established.  This year, mini workshops were added twice a week.  The workshops include a panel discussion with grant recipients who share their experiences with the process, the training and the results.
 
Driven by wanting to provide her clients with the best possible resources, Montero met with vendors providing the services to DOL clients.  One vendor impacted her own operation.  After hearing Bob Loderstedt, President of NJMEP speak, Montero applied some of the Lean practices Loderstedt spoke of to her group.
 
Montero recently spoke with us. “The Department is proud of the successful relations with NJMEP.  NJMEP understands the manufacturing sector and is very realistic in its grant applications.  They rarely leave unexpended dollars on the table, which allows us to make better grant determinations for other businesses,” reported Montero.
 
Baxter Healthcare, a DOL grant recipient and NJMEP client, sat on the panel during the most recent DOL technical Training workshop.  Baxter’s HR training and Development expert Jennifer Grace, spoke on the importance the DOL grant played in funding its Lean Training.  Another NJMEP client, Westlock Controls were able to train its workforce in Lean Manufacturing through a DOL Customized Training Grant.  Sam Belony, production engineer for Westlock reported, “Through the training the company was able to reduce its shop floor by 50%, improve product workflow in one line by 75% and identify work that is currently being done on the outside that could be brought inside, creating more jobs within the company.  We couldn’t have done it without the DOL grant.”
 
The amount of funding for the 2009-2010 grant programs have not been announced yet.  Montero, speaking at the May workshop, shared her strategy should DOL experience the same kind of budget cuts other departments are facing… “We will not cut the number of grants, however, we will be looking very carefully for applications that are realistic regarding implementation of the programs seeking funding. If grant amounts are reduced, companies who wish to train their employees will still be able to receive assistance from us.”
 
New Jersey manufacturers have been able to implement programs that otherwise would not have been possible had it not been for the DOL Customized Training Grants.  If you are interested in learning more about the grants, how they can assist your company, and applying for a grant, contact us for more information or for a complimentary Quick View Assessment to identify areas in which a grant can be most beneficial.