Employee training and upskilling enable businesses to be more efficient, profitable and gain a competitive edge today as the economy begins to rebound from the effects of COVID-19.

Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) Workforce Development Division can help employers train their workforce and can help pay for the training through the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA) grant. MCCC is the administrator of this grant funding for Montgomery County businesses.

To assist recovering businesses, WEDnetPA is providing additional grant dollars this year for eligible training. Employers can be reimbursed up to $2,000 for each employee who is eligible for training.

As a Certified WEDnetPA Training Partner, MCCC can assist businesses with their customized training needs. MCCC offers specialized training in problem-solving, root-cause analysis, continuous improvement, information technology (SQL, Excel, Word and other basic computer skills), Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Leadership Training, Customer Service, Project Management and more.

MCCC has collaborated with numerous businesses in Montgomery County to provide training for employees, including Victory Bank of Royersford, Secure Components of Norristown, and Bassett Industries of Pottstown, among others.

Secure Components of Norristown is a highly credentialed distributor of electronics, hardware, raw materials, mechanical and structural components serving Aerospace, Defense, Industrial, Medical, and Commercial Industries. Secure Components worked with MCCC’s Workforce Development Division to design customized training in the areas of continuous improvement and root cause analysis. MCCC worked with Secure not only to train but also to help pay for the training through the WEDnetPA grant.

According to Todd Kramer, President of Secure Components, “Secure Components is committed to providing service excellence to its internal and external customers and suppliers. Our commitment is achieved by educating, communicating and empowering our employees to provide customer and supplier services without constraints.  Montgomery County Community College along with WEDnetPA has been instrumental in helping us train new employees so that they can meet our customers’ stringent requirements."

Eligible WEDnetPA companies include manufacturing, technology, biotechnology, healthcare, and others (retail and service companies are not eligible for WEDnetPA). 

“Many Montgomery County companies are not even aware that the College’s Workforce Development Division does customized training and helps with grant funding,” said Bernadette DeBias, Director of Workforce Development. “MCCC is part of a regional economic development team that delivers training and resources to help keep Montgomery County companies competitive in the regional and global economy. We want to help as many Montgomery County businesses as we can.”

Per the WEDnetPA eligibility guidelines, the additional funding will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis with new customers and small businesses to be given priority status. Additionally, any businesses that were not able to complete training during the 2019-2020 fiscal year – July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020 – due to COVID-19 will receive priority funding for completion. Businesses that have been awarded WEDnetPA training funds should start training before January 2021 to receive reimbursement.

For questions on how to get started and to discuss your business needs and training plans, contact MCCC Director of Workforce Development Bernadette DeBias at bdebias@mc3.edu.

MCCC’s Workforce Development Division provides sector-specific, employer-validated, customized training programs for non-profits, businesses and industry in Montgomery County.