By Mark Dolinski, VP of Training & Professional Development, GRCA
Retention rates, quality management, employee engagement, the list goes on as to the challenges employers deal with each day. With the rapid increases in technology employers are feeling the pressure to fill the skill gaps in their workforce to succeed today and into the future. Critical skills such as collaboration, emotional intelligence, leadership and adaptability are just some of the skills that are becoming ever paramount. Building human-centric workplaces can inspire higher productivity, leading to a greater output, talent pool and overall performance. These skills require intentional nurturing and development. This is often much more complex than teaching technical skills.
The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) has recognized the changing landscape of the workplace and has been investing purposefully in professional development programs to meet the challenges employers face. In addition to GRCA’s standout Supervisor Training Certificate Program and Lead Worker Certificate Program, we have been developing programs on Emotional Intelligence program, Essentials of Effective Management and Essentials of Effective Leadership Program. With a keen understanding of how the workforce is rapidly evolving, GRCA also has added a program to provide foundational skills for new employees to accelerate their competency and allow them to contribute to the success of the organization much more rapidly. Understanding that supervisors and managers lead a more diverse workplace, GRCA has also created workshops on situational leadership and leading a multicultural workforce.
Addressing affordability challenges with professional development, especially among frontline workers and others working in the shop is vitally important. The programs offered by GRCA are often eligible for financial support from WEDnet. Last year over $452, 217 dollars were distributed to the employers within Berks County for the professional development of 767 employees. The mission of WEDnet PA (Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania) is to foster a robust business environment within the state by providing training and professional development opportunities that meet the needs of the employer. Through this stream of funding, a qualified business can access funds to aid them with workforce training programs.
For industrial and manufacturing companies located in Pennsylvania, WEDnet provides funding for training full-time employees. Funded through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the training must be skill building for current job, advancement or promotion. WEDnet provides up to $2,000 per employee and up to $100,000 per company. Company participation is limited to two years in a row and three out of the past five years. Training must occur from July 1 to June 30 of the fiscal year of the funding award.
The application process for employers has been streamlined. Once eligibility has been approved, employers complete an online application including a training plan for the requested funds. Employers then receive an award letter, and the training can begin. Once the training is completed, companies submit documentation for reimbursement. Visit WEDnetPA.com to complete your application. Your current workforce is a prime talent pool to grow. By creating an internal pipeline of trained and motivated employees, you can save time and money when it comes to filling vacancies and build loyalty to boost retention. Be the employer of choice, support a career mindset among your employees, align training opportunities to meet the needs of your employees and build instructional scaffolding to improve the learning experience. To locate professional development programs GRCA will be offering this fall, click here.