Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Increases Availability of Funding for Business and
Industry Training
The Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), within the Cabinet for Economic Development, recently approved revised grant-in-aid training guidelines in response to its increased capacity to fund training grants. The changes are in response to the passage of HB 536, commonly referred to as the Jobs Retention Act. HB 536 provides BSSC with up to $8 million in additional funds to be used to fund training grants for eligible companies through the remainder of this biennium, ending June 30, 2008.
Highlights of the guideline changes include:
- Increased maximum grant size from a flat $25,000 to a range of $50,000 to $200,000, based on size of company;
- Increased maximum grant amount for training consortia from $75,000 to $200,000;
- Increased allowable per trainee costs for higher waged jobs; and
- Simplified scoring criteria for determining eligibility.
The increased funding will allow BSSC to be even more responsive to business and industry training needs. Kentucky’s workforce training programs have already received national acclaim, being ranked among the top 10 state programs by site selection consultants, prior to the additional funding.
“We work closely with employers, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and Kentucky Adult Education to train workers in everything from basic computer skills, math, and reading to problem solving, communications, and teamwork, as well as more industry-specific skills,” said Robert Curry, executive director of the BSSC. “We recognize that no two projects are the same. Our ability to provide the flexibility and customization that companies require sets us apart.”
The primary purpose of the BSSC is to improve and promote employment opportunities for the residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky through agreements for skills training programs. The BSSC funds workforce training programs for Kentucky’s businesses and industries through grants-in-aid and a tax credit program. Eligible companies are reimbursed or receive tax credits for up to 50 percent of their eligible training costs.
For further information about BSSC, please visit the Cabinet for Economic Development’s Web site at http://www.ThinkKentucky.com/BSSC or call Robert Curry, at 502-564-2021.
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