Low-cost job training program expands

By Jill Blondin | The Flint Journal
February 24, 2009

FLINT, Michigan -- Melissa McDermid has taken five computer classes over the past six months -- and she's just getting started.

The cost? Just $10 for unlimited learning.

The all-you-can-learn job training program is being officially launched today by the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce and Career Alliance Inc. The $10 fee is per employee.

It is part of an expansion of an already-existing Michigan Works! program called Employment Builders Alliance, which operated in the Thumb area. The program is growing to include four additional counties including Genesee and Shiawassee.

One of the classes McDermid took normally costs $140.

"That's a pretty good deal," said McDermid, office manager for Interactive Training Systems in Fenton. "I keep watching their class schedule so I can take more."

After her company upgraded its computer system, McDermid's boss asked her to take more classes so she could teach the new program to other employees.

"It's a very reasonable cost," said Keller McGaffey, president of Interactive Training Systems, which develops company training programs and has 15 employees.

Jody Kerbyson, program manager of Employment Builders Alliance, said the program started out to help manufacturers compete in the global marketplace and stay current with changing technology. Class offerings include beginner to advanced levels of MicrosoftWord, Excel and PowerPoint, QuickBooks, time management, legal issues, grant writing, first aid and reading blueprints.

"We saw a need for training at smaller companies," Kerbyson said. "We thought if we did it in a cooperative style, we could serve more companies at a fraction of the cost."

Once a company enrolls in the program, its workers can take an unlimited number of EBA classes offered at Mott Community College, Baker College of Flint and other locations. More than 1,800 workers took classes last year as part of the program.

"It's a great opportunity for employers who want to upgrade their training," said Rhetta Hunyady, the chamber's vice president of operations, education and training. "I'm not aware of anything else like it."

In addition to promoting the program, the chamber signed up to participate, Hunyady said. For a $300 fee, the chamber's 30 employees can attend all of the free classes they want in the coming year.

"It's a tremendous savings," she said.

Scheduling is done on an ongoing basis to be more responsive to business needs. Classes vary in size from 10 to 20 students from various companies. The program offers on-site training at companies with enough interest to fill an entire class. And members are welcome to attend classes in other participating counties.

"The goal is to increase competitiveness of area employers, provide skill training, boost productivity and upgrade worker skills," said Alicia Booker, president of Career Alliance.

Career Alliance Vice President Craig L. Coney said $80,000 in federal funds have been earmarked to supplement membership fees.

The program has been operating in four Thumb-area counties -- Lapeer, Tuscola, Sanilac and Huron -- since 2005. Its recent expansion into Genesee, Shiawassee, Macomb and St. Clair counties is expected to double the size of the program this year. It now has students from more than 150 companies.

"This makes it more cost effective, especially for small businesses and especially in this economy," Coney said.

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