Colonial Glass Solutions, a Brooklyn-based glass manufacturer and distributor, which will use a $74,500 Training Funds award, matched by a $65,304 employer contribution, to train 66 employees in Enterprise Resource Planning and supply chain management strategies.  The program is projected to result in 11 new hires and average wage increases of 12 percent for 46 current employees.

Duane Reade, a Manhattan-based drugstore chain, which will use a $165,555 Training Funds award, matched by a $138,375 employer contribution, to train 100 employees to become certified pharmacy technicians.  The program is projected to result in average wage increases of 29% percent for 76 trainees.

Merchants Hospitality Inc., a Manhattan-based restaurant management and consulting company, which will use a $152,547 Training Funds award, matched by a $99,416 employer contribution, to train 76 employees in English as a Second Language, literacy, customer service, and waste reduction techniques.  The program is projected to result in 52 new hires and average wage increases of 29 percent for 24 current employees.

NYU Langone Medical Center, a Manhattan-based academic medical center, which will use a $325,235 Training Funds award, matched by a $381,428 employer contribution, to train 184 employees in phlebotomy, electrocardiograms, and other health-care related skills.  The program is projected to result in 14 new hires and average wage increases of 8 percent for 141 current employees.

Wei, Wei & Co., LLP, a Flushing, Queens-based accounting firm, which will use a $67,575 Training Funds award, matched by a $39,062 employer contribution, to train 55 employees in accounting and Quickbooks.  The program is projected to result in average wage increases of 8 percent for all trainees.

Wonton Foods Corporation, a Brooklyn-based manufacturer of Asian foods, which will use a $37,568 Training Funds award, matched by a $31,655 employer contribution, to train 37 employees in computer programming, purchasing, business English, and lean manufacturing.  The program is projected to result in average wage increases of 5 percent for all trainees.

Information sessions about the application process will be held on August 5 from 9:30-11:00 am and from 1:30-3:00 pm at 110 William Street, 7th floor, Manhattan. To register, email training@sbs.nyc.gov and specify the morning or afternoon session.

The awards are administered by the Workforce Development Corporation, a non-profit organization under contract with the City's Economic Development Corporation. Applicants are judged based upon their ability to create and retain jobs, provide entry-level and incumbent workers with career advancement opportunities, and increase wages. Reimbursement for training and wage gains are contingent upon trainees’ successful completion of the program.

In July 2007, the Department of Small Business Services added work readiness (such as literacy, numeracy and English as a Second Language) training to the types of trainingeligible under the program, as a result of expanded funding allocated by the City's Center for Economic Opportunity.

Since 2005, New York City has awarded more than $5.6 million to 51 companies to train nearly 3,700 workers, matched by more than $7.3 million in employer contributions.