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October 1, 2009

On the job training to help small businesses, labor commissioner explains during Plattsburgh visit.

Labor Department aims to ease burden of job loss

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH — With the economy still struggling and businesses fighting to stay afloat, the State Department of Labor hopes some of its programs can be a savior.

The On The Job Training Program is one of them.

The program has helped place 140 workers in the North Country over the past year, utilizing about $300,000 in federal funds.

The program pays up to 50 percent of an employee's wages for up to 26 weeks while they learn new job skills.

Labor Department Commissioner M. Patricia Smith touted the program Thursday morning during a visit to Eye Care for the Adirondacks in Plattsburgh.

Smith said the program, along with others from the department, is vital to the success of small businesses.

"If a large company has a few bad months, they can make cuts and adjustments, but if a small company has a few bad months, they may have to shut down," Smith said, adding that the department offers several services free of charge to businesses.

The On The Job Training program allows businesses to hire workers who may have some of the skills needed but not all.

Eye Care for the Adirondacks was able to hire four workers under the program.

Dr. Kjell Dahlen, a partner at Eye Care, said that without the program they probably would have hired only two workers.

"We need workers with specialized training and, sometimes it's hard to find people with those skills, and it takes time to train them, and it is expensive," Dahlen said. "This helps."

John VanNatten, chairman of the North Country Workforce Investment Board, said the board supports the On The Job Training Program as much as it can.

"It's a cost-efficient way to reduce the strain on employers," he said.

Melissa Bracale, one of the four new employees in the program, said the training has been invaluable.

"I don't believe I could have learned as much in a classroom setting. I feel more comfortable going to work even though I know I still have a lot to learn."

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

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