Previously the victims of a state freeze on funds, two area companies, Phoenix USA and Satellite Med, were pleased to learn that their combined applications for over $50,000 in training grants were approved.

These companies, along with other area employers, depend heavily on these funds for training and business development effort.

In the past two years, Tutco, OBGYN and Associates, Premier Diagnostic Imaging, Hutchinson FTS, Delbar Products and Genlyte have been among those companies benefiting from the funds.

The Incumbent Worker Training Program provides grant funding for customized training for existing for profit businesses.

Through this customer-driven program, Tennessee is able to effectively retain and keep businesses competitive through upgrade skills training for existing full-time employees.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, along with the specific Local Workforce Investment Area and the local Career Center administer the Incumbent Worker Training Program.

The program has been structured to be flexible to meet the business' training objectives. The business may use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of the training.

In Putnam County, Pat Callahan and Gaywon Ferrell work daily through the UCHRA office to administer the funds and assist companies in accessing them.