Applications are currently being accepted for the Hire Stockton Workforce Training Program of the Economic Development Department of the City of Stockton. Grants of between $5,000 and $10,000 will be made available to local businesses to train, hire, and keep new employees who come from areas in the city that are economically troubled.
Businesses that qualify for these grants are those that have been in the city limits for at least the last five years. Other criteria to qualify for these grants include having at least 20 people already employed in the business; training and hiring full-time employees on a permanent basis, paying them a minimum hourly wage of $20, and providing paid benefits; and training these employees in new manufacturing processes, skills for industry, or technology. The employees also need to live in one of the designated areas.
Grants are given on a reimbursement basis. Grants are awarded after the employees have completed one full year of employment. The amount of the grant is given per employee and based on the hourly wage of the employee. Printing services can be used to provide more detailed information about such programs and the criteria that need to be met.
Sheba Person-Whitley, Economic Development Manager, said this program is an investment in the people, the businesses, and the community and will help to build a dynamic and diverse workforce.