Dept. of Commerce: Gov. Doyle Announces Business Employees Skills Training Award

Contact:
Tony Hozeny, 608/267-9661

MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that A.F. Gelhar Co., Inc. Readfield, Green Lake County, would receive a $10,000 Business Employees Skills Training (BEST) grant from the Department of Commerce (Commerce). The BEST program works to help small businesses meet employee training needs.

“A primary focus of my Grow Wisconsin Initiative is support for employee training,” said Gov. Doyle. “Small businesses in particular have a continuing need to upgrade the skills and productivity of the workforce.”

A.F. Gelhar Co., Inc. is a manufacturing company that produces industrial silica and bank sand for use in foundries. It is investing $6,699 to provide training to all of its employees to help the company become ISO 9000 certified. Through the BEST Program, A.F. Gelhar Co., Inc. will train 13 employees.

Businesses throughout Wisconsin can apply for funds through the BEST program for assistance in training employees. Commerce can provide grants to businesses with fewer than 25 employees or less than $2.5 million in annual sales. BEST funds can cover 75 percent of eligible project costs not to exceed $1,000 per employee up to a maximum of $5,000 per business. Training courses must be directly related to the employee’s work requirements. When choosing potential recipients, Commerce considers criteria such as whether the business falls into an industrial cluster; the degree of labor shortage facing the business or industry; the viability of the business; the impact the training will have on the applicant’s business operations; and whether the business is located in a Community Development Zone. Interested businesses should contact their Commerce Area Development Manager to determine if one of Commerce’s programs can assist them. Contact information can be found at www.commerce.wi.gov/MT/MT-FAX-0901.html.