WPI Corporate and Professional Education to Host Workforce Training Fund Information Session on March 22

Media Contact
March 14, 2007

WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester Polytechnic Institute's (WPI) Division of Corporate and Professional Education will sponsor a free information session on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Workforce Training Fund from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, at the Doubletree Hotel in Westboro, Mass. 

By attending the session, Massachusetts companies will have an opportunity to learn more about the state's programs to help employees prepare and train their workers. In addition, representatives from the state Department of Workforce Development Commonwealth Corporation's Applicant Assistance Program will present an information-packed session to help companies determine which Workforce Training Fund grant is appropriate for them. The Workforce Training Fund is a state program financed by Massachusetts employers. Its purpose is to provide funding to Massachusetts businesses and workers to train current and newly hired employees.

"As a leading provider of corporate education and training, WPI recognizes the challenges associated with Massachusetts companies funding the critical activities of strategic workforce development," says Stephen Flavin, associate provost and dean of WPI Corporate and Professional Education. "In sponsoring the Workforce Training Fund Information Session, our goal is to provide employers with the information and knowledge they need to access the financial resources that will help them develop the skilled workforce necessary to successfully compete in today's competitive business environment."

The session will cover the latest guidelines for general and express grants, as well as the new hiring incentive grant. A comprehensive packet of information will be distributed, including a proven seven-step application process and timeline. There will also be an interactive question-and-answer session and networking opportunities. Company representatives can expect to learn about determining training goals and outcome measures; general programs for long-range training; application and grants preparation; the submissions process; and how applications are evaluated.

For more information, call WPI Corporate and Professional Education at 508-831-5517 or email cpe@wpi.edu. To register for the information session, visit cpe.wpi.edu/Individual/Workshops/regform.html.