Posts Tagged ‘Office of Workforce Opportunity’
Wednesday, February 10th, 2016
NH Economy Director Carmen Lorentz (holding placque), with Office of Workforce Opportunity team Nadine Sacco, left, Michael Power and Jacqueline Heuser
There we were on Friday afternoon, watching the snow fly and finishing up the work week when this arrived: A handsome plaque proclaiming New Hampshire as first in the northeast for state workforce development.
From Site Selection:
“Site Selection’s second annual state workforce development rankings are intended to provide a general sense of which states in a given region are devoting sufficient or superior resources to preparing their workforces for current and future employment.”
If your business is seeking ways to boost your workforce, check out the information on our website and then give us a call.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
Division of Economic Development
Tags: Office of Workforce Opportunity, Site Selection, workforce development Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on NH Tops in the Northeast for Workforce Development
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
New Hampshire employers needing new hires can utilize a program that reimburses up to 90% of a new employee’s wages for up to six months of training.
The On-the-Job Training program is offered through the Department of Resources and Economic Development’s Office of Workforce Opportunity.
“While New Hampshire’s unemployment rate is well below the national average, there are still many skilled workers looking for full-time employment,” said Jackie Heuser, Director of the Office of Workforce Opportunity. “The On-the-Job Training opportunity provides employers with a great incentive to hire workers who are eager, trainable and available to re-enter the workforce.”
The training wage reimbursement applies to new hires who have been unemployed 18 weeks or longer. “The average duration of unemployment for a New Hampshire worker is currently over 16 weeks, so we know there are many highly skilled people without work through no fault of their own,” said Heuser. “The On-the-Job Training program provides an incentive to hire such men and women who only need some training to fit the particular job requirements.” For a business with 50 or fewer employees, up to 90% training wage reimbursement is available; a business with 51 to up to 250 workers can receive up to 75 percent; and a business with more than 251 employees up to 50% by utilizing the On-the-Job Training program.
“A key component is that employers are provided a list of qualified candidates, and the employer interviews and makes the selection,” said Heuser. “This is a classic ‘win-win’ situation, where a New Hampshire business owner can be reimbursed while training a new employee they select for their growing company. In addition, the unemployed worker now has a job, pays taxes, and returns to the skilled workforce New Hampshire needs to compete.”
The program can also be combined with other reimbursable job training funds designed to encourage employers to hire both trainable and skilled workers.
Heuser added that several employers have first used the state’s “Return to Work” program to test possible employees’ skills (while the trainee collects unemployment benefits); then entered into the On –the-Job Training reimbursable wage program; and continued employee training with New Hampshire’s very successful Job Training Fund.
For more information on the On-the- Job Training wage reimbursement program, contact Maggie Hinkle, Job Placement Coordinator at 603-889-0531 Ext. 3108 or mhinkle@snhs.org.
Tags: Jackie Heuser, Maggie Hinkle, New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development, Office of Workforce Opportunity Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on On-the-Job Training Offers Employers Up to 90% Wage Reimbursement
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
A web page dedicated to helping teachers and other educational professionals facing layoffs has been launched on the state’s job training web site.
George Bald, Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, said the new page contains valuable information and referral links to assist teachers, paraprofessionals and others who are being laid off due to reduced local school budgets.
The web page, titled “Teachers in Transition” is at www.nhworks.org. It can also be found on the web site of NH Employment Security at http://www.nh.gov/nhes/.
“Many teachers and paraprofessionals are facing uncertain times and often do not know there are other opportunities outside the teaching profession that they may be qualified to pursue,” said Bald. “Teachers in Transition helps provide information on services they may want to access, including unemployment benefits, job match and job search services and links to help them consider other career fields, such as social services, technical fields, adult literacy, counseling, training and health care.
“We want teachers, paraprofessionals and others who may face layoffs due to local budget cuts that there are opportunities in other fields, and the Teachers in Transition web page helps with the immediate tasks of filing for unemployment benefits as well as finding new career paths,” said Tara Reardon, Commissioner of NH Employment Security.
The site also contains referral links to training programs in the state, and links to the public and private post-secondary institutions in New Hampshire, according to Jackie Heuser, Director of the Office of Workforce Opportunity.
The web page was developed by the Office of Workforce Opportunity and its workforce development partner agency, NH Employment Security.
“We still urge those facing employment challenges to visit their local NH Works Career Center,” said Heuser. There are 13 local NH Works Centers located throughout New Hampshire.
Tags: Jackie Heuser, NH Department of Resources & Economic Development, NH Employment Security, NH Works, Office of Workforce Opportunity, Tara Reardon, Teachers in Transition Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on “Teachers in Transition” Page Launched
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
Small business owners looking to hire new trainees can receive up to 90% reimbursement of wages for up to six months with a program being offered by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Office of Workforce Opportunity.
The special program has been well-received by employers since it was introduced last fall and some funds remain for businesses getting ready to hire new workers, according to George Bald, Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development.
“We’re seeing an increased hiring by employers as New Hampshire recovers from the recent economic downturn, so this special On-the-Job (OJT) training program is timely and provides real financial incentives to hire people who are looking to rejoin the workforce,” said Bald.
The OJT program offers up to 90% wage reimbursement for businesses with up to 50 employees, and companies with up to 250 workers can receive 75% wage reimbursement when they hire a dislocated worker who has been unemployed for 18 weeks or longer, and who undergo a company-designed training program.
Southern New Hampshire Services (SNHS) administers the U.S. Dept. of Labor-funded program for the state and has job placement specialists who will work with the employer in the design of the training program. There is even one-time support payment for tools and other work-related necessities not generally provided by the employer, said Bald.
Maggie Hinkle, the OJT Job Placement Coordinator at SNHS, said 34 employers throughout the state have utilized the program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). “The companies represent a cross-section of our diverse economic base, from manufacturing to information technology, construction and service companies,” said Hinkle.
The average age of trainees in the program is 46, and many of them started with the participating companies under the state’s Return to Work program, which also helps employers with trainee wages.
“There are many out-of-work people who can become great employees, and the OJT program will match employers with those prospective employees, with minimal paperwork and a maximum return for the participating company.”
For information on the program, contact Maggie Hinkle, Job Placement Coordinator at mhinkle@snhs.org or 603-477-4913.
Tags: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Maggie Hinkle, New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Office of Workforce Opportunity, Southern New Hampshire Services Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Wage Reimbursement Available to Employers
Friday, August 27th, 2010
We received a great account of Wednesday night’s Gainful Employment Seminar held by our friends at Savvy Workshop. Special thanks to Print Savvy President Lisa Landry for sending along this release as well as for offering such an excellent resource for citizens looking for work.
STATE OF NH AND LOCAL BUSINESSES GET CREATIVE TO HELP JOB SEEKERS
By all accounts, last night’s Gainful Employment Seminar at Savvy Workshop was a huge success. Initiated by Lisa Landry, President and CEO of Print Savvy, Inc. and the Savvy Workshop, the meeting was well attended and facilitated by Fran Allain, Employee Retention Project Manager for the State of New Hampshire’s Division of Economic Development.
NH Division of Economic Development Employee Retention Project Manager Fran Allains shares her experiences with local job seekers.
Fran shared her heart-wrenching story about her own difficult layoff and her personal journey to finding meaningful employment again, after reinventing herself and her career. Having had the experience herself, she understands and empathizes with those affected by economic downturn. She gave us an overview of the programs, job boards and support systems available through the available through the State of New Hampshire, the NH Works offices and the Office of Workforce Opportunity to those currently looking for work.
Also on hand were Greg Fall, Vice President at Career Management Associates of Bedford, NH and Pam Oliwa, the Rapid Response Coordinator for the NH Office of Workforce Opportunity. Both Greg and Pam shared ideas and strategies for getting hired. Greg also gave an extensive class on resume development and met one on one with each candidate to discuss specific strategies that will help them to stand out and differentiate themselves from the crowded field of applicants that might be also seeking the same position.
Rapid Response Coordinator Pam Oliwa talks about resources available to help citizens pursue new career paths.
Together, they explored the best ways to increase a job seeker’s value in the marketplace. Most attendees were unemployed an average of 18 months – but some as few as three or four weeks. Also in attendance were currently employed individuals, looking to make a change, recent college grads and underemployed professionals looking for more gainful employment.
“I’ve been in the job market for over 25 years, and this is definitely the most difficult job market I’ve ever seen,” said Lisa Landry. “My inbox has been flooded with resumes for the past two years. Most of these folks are talented, hard working, experienced professionals that I know and have worked with in the past. I wanted to do something to help them and to let them know their value is still there – and that there is light at the end of the tunnel!”
The Savvy Workshop will be hosting a second session to further support our friends and colleagues who are seeking gainful employment on Sept 8, 2010 from 6 – 9 PM. Dawn Cerrato of Synergy Management Associates will be presenting. Registrations are now being taken at http://www.gainfulemployment2.eventbrite.com.
Savvy Workshop is a multi-channel marketing organization, leveraging print, web, social media, email and event marketing to help our clients succeed. They can help you do it, too!
Savvy Workshop
55 So. Commercial Street
Manchester, NH 03101
http://www.savvyworkshop.com/
Tags: Career Management Associates, Dawn Cerrato, Fran Allain, Greg Fall, Lisa Landry, NH Division of Economic Development, NH Works, Office of Workforce Opportunity, Pam Oliwa, Savvy Workshop, Synergy Management Associates Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on State of NH and Local Businesses Get Creative to Help Job Seekers
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
A strategic plan for growing the manufacturing base of the Merrimack Valley calls for increased collaboration among industry, education and workforce agencies in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Leaders from both states recently unveiled the “Merrimack Valley Regional Innovation Grant” plan, the result of a $250,000 federal grant that surveyed the needs of manufacturing companies in the two-state region.
“The Merrimack Valley has 90,000 advanced manufacturing jobs, split equally between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, representing 18 percent of the region’s total employment and nearly 60 percent of the region’s gross domestic product,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “It’s vitally important to both states that we address the challenges and opportunities in manufacturing from a regional viewpoint.”
Duddy said manufacturers were surveyed and follow-up interviews were conducted to determine what measures are needed to prepare workers for success in the highly competitive advanced manufacturing environment.
“We know that advanced manufacturing in areas such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, robotics and biometrics can produce good paying jobs in homeland security, medical equipment manufacturing, clean energy, aerospace and other areas of growth,” he said. “Advanced manufacturing requires workers skills with computers, the ability to read and translate diagrams and flow charts, and the ability to work in teams. We should align our educational and workforce training programs to meet these needs.”
The grant partners included workforce development agencies in Lawrence and Lowell, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire’s Office of Workforce Opportunity.
The strategic plan also calls for increased coordination in responding to layoffs and closures to get workers re-employed, new and innovative approaches to training incumbent and dislocated workers, and increased participation by career technical schools, community colleges and other educational facilities.
The Merrimack Valley Manufacturing Advocacy Collaborative, a group of manufacturing employers in the region, has been formed to engage stakeholders, including public and private companies and institutions.
A new web site, www.mvrig.org has been launched to coordinate and distribute data and ideas for sustaining and growing the manufacturing sector in Merrimack Valley.
Tags: Merrimack Valley Manufacturing Advocacy Collaborative, Merrimack Valley Regional Innovation Grant, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Office of Workforce Opportunity, Roy Duddy Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Plan Released for Merrimack Valley Manufacturing Growth
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
Governor John Lynch has announced that New Hampshire has joined forces with Microsoft in an innovative public-private partnership to provide free technology training to unemployed residents across the state.
Through Elevate America, Microsoft will work with the Office of Workforce Opportunity, Department of Resources and Economic Development, New Hampshire Employment Security and NH Works Career Centers to distribute 5,625 vouchers for free, online technology training and certification.
(L. to R.) NH Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon congratulates Penny Letourneau of Concord, the first recipient of an Elevate America technology training voucher as NH Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald and Microsoft General Manager for State and Local Government John Bunn look on.
“Providing training for our workers is one of the best investments we can make in our economy. Through my New Hampshire Working initiative and the Job Training Fund, we have made helping workers get the skills they need to get good jobs a priority,” Gov. Lynch said. “The Elevate America initiative is helping our continuing efforts to get workers the skills and certifications they need so we can help them get back to work.”
The first vouchers were recently distributed at the NH Works Center in Concord by George Bald, Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, and Commissioner Tara Reardon of NH Employment Security. Joining Commissioners Bald and Reardon was John Bunn, Microsoft’s General Manager for State and Local Government.
The free vouchers are available to unemployed residents only until July 1, when vouchers will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. Vouchers must be activated by users by August 19, 2010.
Vouchers include 2,500 for Microsoft Business Certification Training; 2,500 vouchers for Microsoft Business Certification examinations, and 625 vouchers for advanced Microsoft IT Professional online learning.
“Elevate America helps people to get the critical technology skills they need to get a job in today’s competitive workplace,” said Microsoft’s Bunn. “We believe that this type of public-private partnership will play an important role in rebuilding New Hampshire’s and the nation’s economy by offering immediate access to basic technology literacy and skills training to ultimately improve recipients’ employment prospects.”
“Job seekers can use these online courses from their computers at home, and access the training for up to a year once activated,” said Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon. “Offering access to computer skills training will greatly improve recipients’ employment prospects.”
“Employers at our recent Governors Job Cabinet Roundtable discussions expressed the hope that today’s job applicants be trained in new technology skills, and this opportunity comes at an appropriate time, as employers begin to hire again,” said DRED Commissioner George Bald. “The Elevate America program will help New Hampshire companies remain competitive in today’s marketplace.”
Microsoft Elevate America vouchers can be obtained at the 13 local NH Works Centers throughout the state.
Vouchers can be used for the following training and certifications:
Computer Basics for Beginners – Access basic computer concepts and skills. Perfect for those new to computers. No voucher is required for the beginner courses.
Programs requiring vouchers:
Intermediate Level, Business Worker Online Learning – Select from: Microsoft Windows Vista, Office 2003 or Office 2007 online training. Voucher must be activated by July 26, 2010. E-Learning is accessible for 12 months from activation date.
Advanced Level IT Professional Online Learning – Select a training from Microsoft’s online learning library for IT Professionals and Developers. The cost of certification exams at this level is not covered by this program. Voucher must be activated by August 19, 2010.
Intermediate Level Certification Exams – Certification exams must be taken at a Certiport Testing Location. Select from Office 2003 or Office 2007 exams. Voucher must be activated by August 19, 2010. Certification exams must also be completed by August 19, 2010.
New Hampshire Certiport Examinations Centers are located at:
Blended Solutions Technical Institute
1000 Elm Street, Manchester N H 03101
603-622-4922
Contact: Cindy Kuehl (ckuehl@bstinh.com)
New Horizons of Northern New England
460 Amherst St., Nashua 03060
603-882-4900
Contact: Todd Duhamel (toddd@nhnashua.com)
ATI Institute of Rochester
35 Industrial Way, Suite 150, Rochester 03867
603-330-3533
Contact: Christina Dame (christina@smartati.com)
Manchester Community Resource Center
177 Lake Ave., Manchester 03103
603-647-8967
Contact: Fawn Francis (info@ontracktraining.org)
New Hampshire’s participation in Microsoft’s Elevate America program makes it the 22ndstate to take part in the initiative, which is expected to provide up to one million vouchers nationwide. The program is a part of Microsoft’s overall efforts to provide technology training for up to two million people during the next three years.
Microsoft announced the “Elevate America” program at the National Governor’s Conference in February 2009. The initiative is expected to provide up to 1 million vouchers nationwide for Microsoft e-Learning courses and select Microsoft certification exams at no or low cost to recipients. The program, part of Microsoft’s overall Unlimited Potential efforts to improve social and economic opportunities for people, will provide technology training for up to two million people during the next three years.
For additional information regarding Elevate America visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/us/communityinvestment/elevateamerica.aspx
Tags: ATI Institute of Rochester, Blended Solutions Technical Institute, Christina Dame, Cindy Kuehl, Elevate America, Fawn Francis, John Bunn, Manchester Community Resource Center, Microsoft, New Hampshire Employment Security, New Horizons of Northern New England, NH Department of Resources & Economic Development, NH Works, Office of Workforce Opportunity, Tara Reardon, Todd Duhamel Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on New Hampshire & Microsoft Make an Investment in Technology Training
|