On-the-Job Training: A State s Best-kept Economic Development Secret Presented at the 75 th Annual NASWA Conference September 15, 2011 San Juan, Puerto Rico 1
OJT Provides essential knowledge and skills to perform specific job Provides up to 50% reimbursement of wages to employer Limited time dependent upon occupation Employer chooses participants 2
Mississippi 1.3 million workforce 150,000 unemployed Program Year 2010 OJT stats - 367 employer - 2,701 participants - $7.4 M in OJT contracts - $2,750 per participant (average) 3
Mississippi Story In Program Year 2009, Mississippi accounted for nearly 28% of all OJT participants, nationwide Mississippi has used OJT to enhance its economic development - GE Aviation - Severstal - Aurora Flight Sciences 4
Successes GE Aviation announced second Mississippi facility Hol-Mac Corporation, advanced manufacturing positions Aurora Flight Sciences will double in size within the year Double Quick, Inc. OJT improves retention 5
How Mississippi Does It WIA guidelines, each LWIA sets policy Companies identify training needs Work with economic developers and community colleges to expedite schedules and offerings Customized training at company site Personal service to employers 6
Our People Are Our Secret Weapon Our OJT Contract Writers Personal Touch with employers, key to success - Prepare packet of information - Review/write job description(s) - Assist with contract preparation - Monitor participant training - Invoicing for the client 7
OJT Benefits: An invaluable resource that allows us to take an unskilled worker and train them in a new, high-tech field. Helps us cross-train more efficiently Improves employee retention (over 90%) An educated well-trained workforce leads to more business 8
We want to be known as an employer of choice in the community; we want to know perspective employees want to work for Aurora Flight Sciences. -Wanda Stacy, Aurora Flight Sciences, Office Administration & Human Resources 9
Aurora OJT Participants Neal P, OJT means I can keep paying my bills. I got training from day one and have learned many jobs since being hired. There s lots of opportunity to learn new things and for advancement. 10
Aurora OJT Participants, W.L. Smith, cont. OJT allowed me to transfer from my metalworking background to composite manufacturing. In 16 months I ve been trained in five skilled positions and increased my standing with a company that has more stability. It s allowed me to round out my education and expand my resume. 11
Ed S, Aurora OJT Participants, cont. OJT has allowed me to learn to do my job. I received training in Empowering Operational Success (EOS), or lean manufacturing, which improved my soft skills, helped me learn to delegate and keep up employee morale. I ve learned when and how to apply the techniques which reduced processes and improved team efficiency. 12
Aurora OJT Participants, Kenya B. cont. OJT has afforded me to opportunity to set a good example for my two children and take care of them. I got payroll, aerospace systems and vendor management training. 13
The Orion unmanned aircraft built in Columbus, Mississippi 14
Why Not? (Use OJT) It s foreign to me why not to use it? - Tom Gresham, CEO, Double Quick, Inc. 15
Double Quick, facts OJT helps offset the $3500 training cost Training is an investment in employees to build good team members Hires entry-level people Every person receives 32 hours of training prior to being put on a register 16
Double Quick Participants Latosha F. I can provide for my kids without having to ask other people for help. It means not having to worry about where the next meal is coming from. 17
Double Quick Participants, Lula N. cont. I never worked in a convenience store before, I came from a big grocery store background. OJT gave me the opportunity to do more than I knew I could do. 18
Double Quick Participants, Ashley G. cont. My son inspires me to wake up every day to come to work. I even try to come in on my days off I want to be a shift leader. 19
Double Quick Participants, Tasha R. cont. This job helps me pay my bills. I like the customers. 20
Best Practices Personal employer visits Meet with local supervisory boards, city officials, Chambers of Commerce Market the financial benefits to employers Keep it simple - Contracts - Invoicing Periodic monitoring Include WOTC to maximize employer benefits 21
Contact Information: Lrange@mdes.ms.gov 601-321-6107 OJT Toolkit Available at: http://mdes.ms.gov/home/docs/ojttoolkit/ojt%20toolkit.pdf 22
On-the-Job Training: A State s Best-kept Economic Development Secret Presented at the 75 th Annual NASWA Conference September 15, 2011 San Juan, Puerto Rico 23