Tamara had been unemployed since her layoff from Evergreen in 2010 where she worked as a Financial Analyst. Here's what Tamara had to say about her experience:

“In these tough economic times, I was quite discouraged. I sent out resumes and applied to dozens of firms but none were a good fit. After attending the On-the-Job Training Workshop, I learned how I could use it to fine tune my skills for a new job and it was ideal for me. I had taken the NCRC to get ahead, proving to myself (and any employer) that I was willing to take any test and work hard to show how much I wanted a good job. Everyone at the Tualatin office was encouraging, friendly and helpful and the workshops were quite useful.We were in this together from the start. I could not have done it without them. Everyone I met along the way gave me HOPE.” click here to read full story


"When we first found out about the training services offered through WokSource, I said, 'Why isn't everyone doing this?' It gave us the opportunity to provide our workers with higher pay and a higher level of skill with less financial risk. And they were easy to work with. Our employment specialist came in at all hours of the day and night to accommodate our schedule."
- Andrew Bauroth,
Director of Manufacturing
XpanD USA

Business Resources > On-the-Job Training

Local Employers Benefit from On-the-Job Training Resources

Through a variety of state and federal resources brought into the community by Worksystems, Inc., funds are available to help businesses train new hires who possess most, but not all, of the skills necessary for the job. Working with Governor Kitzhaber and the Oregon Legislature, Worksystems has secured $1.9 million in state funding to support up to 400 On-the-Job Trainings (OJT) and additional federal grants secured from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) could support an additional 280. These funds are available to businesses throughout Washington and Multnomah Counties through their local WorkSource office.

OJTs provide a wage reimbursement to companies that provide training to eligible job seekers hired through the WorkSource system. OJT is very versatile and can be used to train both high and lower skilled workers including those transitioning into new industries as well as entry level workers with minimal experience in an occupation. Businesses have utilized training resources to offset the costs associated with recruiting and training new workers. Between October 2009 to October 2011, over 90 area businesses have benefitted from this training resource and almost 300 job seekers have obtained employment and received employer provided OJT to enhance their skills

On-the-Job Training Example
 
A business needs an employee who can operate a furnace to manufacture silicone ingots for solar power.  Entry-level furnace operators are paid $12.50 an hour. If it is determined that it takes 3 months of on-the-job training for a candidate with a manufacturing background to reach the level of an entry-level furnace operator, the OJT would look like this:
Sample Training Goals:
· Learn specific temperatures and times for silicone crystal growing
· Ability to operate and understand furnace functions
· Ability to operate furnace at a level sufficient to meet production goals
OJT Training Period Duration: 3 months (13 weeks)
OJT Wage: $12.50 an hour at 40 hours a week
 
Total reimbursement of $3,250 to employer after two periods (see breakdown below)
1.   OJT End of Training Period Reimbursement: $1,625
· Wages paid by employer during training period = $6,500
· 50% of wages paid during training period = $3,250 (total OJT commitment)
· Half of total OJT commitment = $1,625 (reimburse at end of OJT training period)
2.    End of Retention Period (90 days of regular employment after training periodReimbursement = $1,625 (the remainder of the total OJT commitment)
 

 


To hire your next employee using On-the-Job Training, contact your local Regional Placement Specialist:

Ella Usov
WorkSource Central
503.280.6055
ella.p.usov@state.or.us

Roland Chlapowski
WorkSource Beaverton-Hillsboro
503.526.2748
roland.s.chlapowski@state.or.us