Tuesday, Feb 8 2011 3:53PM
Government funding will allow Oregon small businesses to retrain employees so they're up-to-date in their field.
The Oregon Workforce Alliance was recently awarded more than $600,000 in federal money to help companies in rural communities avoid layoffs and possible closure, reported the Daily Astorian.
The funding will be used to train current Oregonian workers in new or advanced skills to ensure they are qualified for their positions, the paper said. Further training will also make businesses more competitive, meaning they will be able to thrive in their areas and encourage further rural community development.
Businesses interested in receiving a share of the funding must submit their applications to the Employer Workforce Training Program by the end of February. According to the newspaper, applicants who can prove the money would allow their businesses to avoid closure and retain employees by upgrading their training will be given priority.
Business closures are increasing joblessness in rural sections of Oregon. The Rural Assistance Center reports unemployment in the state's outlying communities lingers at 12.3 percent, compared with 10.7 percent in urban areas, increasing the poverty rates in rural towns.