New York, Jan. 29, 2009 - The New York City Department of Small Business Services today announced awarding nearly $500,000 in NYC Business Solutions Training Funds to help seven local businesses train their employees. In addition, applications are now being accepted for an additional $1.5 million in Training Funds, which will also be awarded to New York City businesses.

With economic conditions changing rapidly, many employers are revising their business models — and realizing they need to retrain their workers to prepare them for new roles and responsibilities. Training Funds provide crucial financial assistance to businesses navigating these challenges.

Today's awards of $426,203 will be matched by employer contributions of $254,443. These funds will be used to train 186 New Yorkers, resulting in 20 new hires and projected wage increases averaging 12 percent for trainees currently employed.

New York City businesses can access an additional $1.5 million in funding starting January 28^th by pre-applying at www.nyc.gov/training, or by calling 311 and asking for "NYC Business Solutions Training." The pre-application will be available until February 11^th. 

Each NYC Business Solutions Training Funds award provides businesses with up to $400,000 to cover a maximum of 70 percent of training costs. The awards are administered by the Workforce Development Corporation, a non-profit organization under contract with the City's Economic Development Corporation. Applicants are judged based upon their ability to create and retain jobs, provide entry-level and current workers with career advancement opportunities, and increase wages. Reimbursement for training and wage gains are contingent upon trainees’ successful completion of the program.

The NYC Business Solutions Training Funds were awarded to:

• Anvil Knitwear, Inc., a Manhattan-based designer, manufacturer, and marketer of high-quality active wear. The company will use a $38,717 Training Funds award, matched by $32,264 employer contribution, to train 20 employees in customer service, management skills and production planning and scheduling. The program is projected to result in an average wage increase of 4 percent for all trainees.
  
• Carvart Glass, a Brooklyn-based architectural glass designer and manufacturer, which will use a $49,315 Training Funds award, matched by $28,180 employer contribution, to train 18 employees in lean manufacturing and production planning and scheduling. The program is projected to result in an average wage increase of 5 percent for all trainees.
  
• Cotronics Corp., a Brooklyn-based manufacturer of high temperature epoxies and ceramic adhesives, coatings and insulation products, which will use a $30,925 Training Funds award, matched by a $17,672 employer contribution, to train 17 employees in sales skills and ISO 9000. The program is projected to result in an average wage increase of 12 percent for all trainees.
  
• Gray Glass, a Queens-based glass fabricator, distributor and importer, which will use a $67,542 Training Funds award, matched by a $38,597 employer contribution, to train 28 employees in lean manufacturing, English as a Second Language, and CNC machining techniques. The program is projected to result in an average wage increase of 5 percent for 27 trainees.
  
• MAIKON Corporation (Kyotofu), a Manhattan-based restaurant and gourmet food supplier, which will use a $89,071 Training Funds award, matched by a $50,898 employer contribution, to train 20 employees in specialized culinary skills. The program is projected to result in 10 new hires and an average wage increase of 75 percent for all trainees.
  
• Quadlogic Controls Corporation, a Queens-based manufacturer and calibrator of electricity meters and digital smart metering systems, which will use a $55,965, matched by a $31,982 employer contribution, to train 32 employees in ISO 9000 and other quality improvement methods. The program is projected to result in an average wage increase of 6 percent for 27 trainees.
  
• SupplyOne New York, a Queens-based manufacturer and distributor of packaging equipment materials, which will use a $94,667 Training Funds award, matched by a $54,850 employer contribution, to train 51 employees in lean manufacturing and bar coding. The program is projected to result in 10 new hires and average wage increases of 11 percent for 34 trainees.

In July 2007, the NYC Department of Small Business Services added work readiness training (such as literacy, numeracy and English as a Second Language) to the types of training already available in the Training Funds program. The expansion of the types of training offered was a result of additional funding allocated by the City's Center for Economic Opportunity.

Since the program’s inception, New York City has awarded more than $3.2 million to 34 companies to train more than 2,000 workers, matched by nearly $2.6 million in employer contributions. Two-thirds of the program’s funding is from the Center for Economic Opportunity, with the federal Workforce Investment Act providing the remainder.