Companies looking to improve their employees’ skills can get some help through a federal grant program.

The Upstate Workforce Investment Board is accepting applications for federal Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Grants. Beth Fowler, business services team member for the board, said the grants are issued to employers to upgrade the skills of current employees. She said the grants provide opportunities for training in a wide variety of programs ranging from computer and manufacturing skills specific to industries to soft skills such as leadership and management training.

Ms. Fowler said that 2008 recipient Carlisle Finishing used grants to train many of its workers including management and front line staff. Management staff received training on how to communicate with employees effectively as well as training on Microsoft Office programs. One employee was able to cross train and learn how to operate a machine in a different department, allowing him to work there when his department is not operational.

The ability of a proposed program to provide workers with transferrable skills is one of the factors the selection board looks for in reviewing grant applications.

“Our board looks at the application to see that the employee receives training in a transferable skill so they can use it somewhere else if their job is no longer there,” Ms. Fowler said. “We also look to see if the training is for new technology, business expansion, retooling of processes, new organizational structuring, introduction of new services/product lines. The proposed training should significantly increase employee skills, result in employee wage increases, save jobs within the company or help prevent business relocation.”

Applications and guidelines can be picked up at Union CareerSource, 103 West Main St., Union, or accessed online at www.upstatewib.org under the News link. Completed applications can be mailed or dropped off at the UWIB office at 102 Commerce St. or P.O. Box 5666, Spartanburg, S.C., 29304. A committee will review the applications and determine awards

All applications must be received by noon, May 8. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Q&A Session

Ms. Fowler said the workforce investment board’s business services staff will conduct an "IWT Q&A" session on Monday from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. for any business people wanting to know more information about the grants or the process and procedures for completing the application. The session will take place at the Upstate Workforce and Economic Development Center, 103 West Main St., Union.

For more information contact Mrs. Fowler at (864) 427-4119 (TTY: 711) or at bfowler@upstatewib.org.