It’s rare that a week goes by in which I don’t see a press release announcing the successful completion of a manufacturing worker training program, the funding for which was provided (at least in part) through some state or federal grant.
This week the notice came from Flexcon Industries, which makes diaphragm expansion tanks at its headquarters in Randolph, MA. According to the statement, “Flexcon employees worked with Bob Elliott of the Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP) to apply continuous improvement principles and tools to improve their work processes.”
After less than a week’s worth of training in lean and continuous improvement techniques, Flexcon workers implemented a kanban system that already has saved the company $106,000.
The GBMP may be among the most visible government-funded organizations focused on manufacturing — it makes a point of promoting its efforts often — but it certainly isn’t the only one. States across the country regularly steer funds to training grants and other manufacturing-focused incentives. It’s up to you to find them and put them to good use.
To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of national and state-based programs that provide grants to manufacturers for various activities. The list is only meant as a sample; if you don’t see your state on the list, do a quick search online to find out what’s available. State economic development offices and labor departments are good resources.
National Resources:
Innovative Workforce Solutions to Help the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Address Hiring, Training, and Retention Challenges
http://www.doleta.gov/brG/Indprof/Manufacturing.cfm
The National Manufacturing Extension Partnership
http://www.mep.nist.gov/
State-Based Resources:
Connecticut’s Manufacturer’s Assistance Act (MAA) Training Grants For Manufacturers
http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/busservices/MAA%20Overview.pdf
Colorado Manufacturers Receive Training Grants
http://www.bcbr.com/article.asp?id=101764
Training Grants Pay Off for Florida Manufacturers
http://www.madduxpress.com/economic-development/2009/06/18/training-grants-pay-off-for-manatee-county-manufacturers-467
Enhancing Manufacturing Skills in Indiana
http://www.in.gov/iedc/SEF.htm
Kentucky’s Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Offers Grants for Manufacturers
http://www.thinkkentucky.com/bssc/
Ohio’s Workforce Guarantee Helps Retain Ohio Jobs
http://development.ohio.gov/edd/OITP/RequestForAssistance.htm
Tennessee to Provide Funding for Incumbent Worker Grants Beginning October 1, 2009
http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/et_services_employers.html
Ten Washington Manufacturers Receive Training Grants from the State
http://www.awb.org/articles/magazine/of_note_ten_awb_members_receive_training_grants_from_state.htm
Wisconsin Secretary Gassman Alerts Manufacturers to Worker Training Grants
http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dwd/newsreleases/2009/052809_mssc_rfp.pdf
3 Comments
Is there any grant funding for 5S/Lean Manufacturing for a sheet metal company in West Virginia?
Do you know of any Canadian-based programs that provide grants?
In California, federal Employment Training Taxes (ETT) are dispersed by the state Employment Training Panel for training grants to qualifying manufacturers. Training hours are reimbursed are reimbursed by the ETP as the approved training is presented to the workforce.