Stiles Education Creates Workforce Development and Retention Funding Program

April 3, 2006—Stiles Machinery Inc. has announced the development of a new Stiles Education Grant Resource Library to provide useful information for woodworking companies with limited training budgets. The new program was designed to assist a company’s existing workforce by educating them in order to stay informed of changing industry technology. Stiles Education has developed the Grant Resource Library for workforce training and development funding sites because they recognize that it’s critical for companies to train and retain quality employees.

In an effort to keep the wood industry thriving and to assist with the retention of skilled labor, federal and state funds have been set aside through grants. Grants have been awarded for as little as $1,000 and as much as $50,000. Martha Dahl, Stiles Education coordinator, will provide woodworking companies with existing grant information and contacts or will assist them in finding new sources for grants.

Stiles Education is recognized as an IACET (International Association for Continuing Education and Training) certified training facility. Stiles has been providing training for programmers, operators, and maintenance personnel for more than 14 years. Because Stiles personnel are familiar with grants, they will be able to provide the administrative documentation required before, during, and after the woodworking company is accepted.

To find out more about Workforce Training and Retention Grants or training through Stiles Education, contact Martha Dahl at mdahl@stilesmachinery.com or 616-698-7501, ext. 1237. Stiles Machinery is a supplier of production equipment and services for wood, plastic, and non-ferrous metals processing.