Invites Maryland Businesses to Identify Regional Employee Training Needs
County hosts meeting with state officials to help business, industry and academia learn about opportunities for EARN Maryland workforce development grants. EARN funds worker training programs created by business for business.
The Dorchester County Economic Development office in conjunction with the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) will host a presentation for the EARN Maryland Program on Wednesday, July 31 at 10 am at the Dorchester Career and Technology Center. Representatives will explain how employers can join with industry, economic development and academia to create targeted workforce training programs aimed at regional and industry specific needs.
“We know that Dorchester’s employers and workforce continue to evolve as technology creates more effective and efficient mechanisms for delivering goods and services,” said Keasha Haythe, adding, “Time after time employers tell me workforce training and development programs are some of the best ways to help their employees succeed – and one of their biggest challenges in terms of helping those employees get the skills they need to succeed.” Haythe believes the new EARN program will be a welcome tool for Eastern Shore employers and was eager to host DLLR officials charged with helping Maryland companies create such targeted training initiatives.
EARN (Employment Advancement Right Now) was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor O’Malley last month. It is a competitive grant program designed to invest in regional workforce development solutions that address current and impending employment demands. In discussing the program, the Governor said, “If the employers who are looking for talented and skilled people know what skills they have most in demand, then why don’t we let our workforce efforts be driven by the sector that has the jobs to fill?” adding that he feels such regionally designed solutions spearheaded by employers are the wave of future workforce development.”
Based on similar and successful programs around the country, “EARN Maryland is industry led, endorsed by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and is a proven strategy for providing Maryland’s employers with skilled workers,” said DLLR Secretary Leonard Howie, adding, “Among similar initiatives around the country, this approach led to skills advancement, career building opportunities and increased wages for employees and meaningful and measurable results for employers.”
The program presentation on July 31 is designed to help Dorchester employers and industry representatives learn more about the grant program and partnership model. For information on EARN, visit http://www.dllr.state.md.us. To register for the meeting, call 410-228-0155 or email info@ChooseDorchester.org.