September 7, 2018
St. Charles County, Missouri – Local businesses can apply for up to $8,000 in training costs and wage reimbursements for existing staff or new employees through a certified apprenticeship grant program. The program is offered by the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County, which is operated by the St. Charles County Department of Workforce & Business Development.
Last year, the Job Center announced a $255,000 advanced manufacturing apprenticeship grant program that could enroll up to 30 employees. Since the funds have not all been used, the program has been expanded to serve additional business sectors in St. Charles County.
“We have funds to help pay for training costs and wage reimbursements for about 20 existing employees or new hires through our certified apprenticeship program,” says Scott J. Drachnik, Director of the St. Charles County Department of Workforce & Business Development. “Eligible companies in St. Charles County can be in one of five target sectors: information technology, healthcare, financial services, logistics/transportation/warehousing or advanced manufacturing.”
The program includes five components: 1) training on the job, 2) classroom training, 3) work mentor, 4) progressive wages, and 5) National Occupational Credential from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Participating employers must agree at the outset to hire their apprentice as a full-time employee, and progressive wages must start at $12 an hour or higher.
Local businesses that have gone through the apprenticeship program with the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County include Permian Plastics, LLC, Component Bar Products, SCI Engineering, Masterclock, Inc., and DonVal Mizzou, LLC.
“Our staff works hard to make the process as simple as possible,” Drachnik says, “and we walk with participating employers every step along the way.”
Local employers who would like to know more about the registered apprenticeship program, or job-seekers interested in pursuing a new career and credentialed training program, can contact Vicki Swartzenberg at 636-255-6060, ext. 5250, email vswartzenberg@stchas.edu, or visit the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County at 212 Turner Boulevard in St. Peters, Mo.
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