For instance, the Arizona Department of Commerce provides a grant program to create new jobs and help increase the skill and wage levels of employees in Arizona. This particular program will reimburse businesses for costs associated with training and hiring new employees, or developing skills of existing employees.

Employees, or those looking for a new job, can also benefit from job training grants. Through individual grant assistance programs and community based job programs, job seekers may be able to obtain skills training to help them increase their qualifications and economic competitiveness. This is a great way for an individual to enhance their resume in an environment where job opportunity can be scarce. These programs are often provided on-site at local community colleges or vocational schools.

Other grants related to job training grants may include:

• Computer Training Grants
• Medical or Nursing Student Grants
• Adult Education Grants

Job training funding being awarded to states and companies across the country are paying off. Just in Tennessee, Governor Phil Bredesen and the  Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley have awarded over $10 million to assist more than 37,000 employees in the past four years. According to Governor Bredesen,

Job training to upgrade the skills of Tennessee’s workers is one of the best things we can do for our economy. Now more than ever, it is important to continue training our workforce to keep employees and companies competitive.

As an employee or employer taking advantage of these programs when made available, income and employment goals can be reached as overall economic competitiveness continues to rise. By having a more qualified, better trained workforce in America, less jobs are outsourced and employment rates can remain healthy.