Rome, NY (WIBX) - Oneida County is encouraging employers to take advantage of funds available to pay for the cost of an on the job training program.

They are willing to pay up to $28 an hour for employees hired under the program sponsored by the Workforce Investment Board and New York State Department of Labor.

Designed to put those who have lost their jobs back to work, the groups pay up to ninety percent of wages for those who are hired and need to be trained in new fields or positions.

WIB Executive Director Alice Savino says employees must have been out of work for twenty-seven weeks, although the weeks need not be consecutive.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente speaks highly of one aviation company at Griffiss that has taken the initiative by hiring workers through the OJT program.  "Premier," he says, "is part of the growth...at Griffiss... an emerging company here in the Mohawk Valley so the fact that they're taking advantage of this, and putting dislocated people to work is important to us."

Premier Aviation has previously hired twelve employees in this fashion and has just hired five more.   Company General Manager Larry Atkinson says he hopes that Premier will serve as a model for other employers in the Mohawk Valley.

For more information on the program call the Workforce Investment Board at: (315) 793.6037 or select one of the locations listed below:

  • Chenango County                   Gary Waffle                     (607) 334.2201 ext. 128
  • Delaware County                    Maggie Gilbert               (607) 561.7550
  • Herkimer County                   Michael Werenczak      (315) 867.1400
  • Madison County                     Roy Augustine               (315) 363.2400
  • Oneida County                        Michael Fay                     (315) 339.0046 ext. 226
  • Otsego County                        Alan Sessions                  (607) 432.4800 ext. 103

More From WIBX 950