The National Glass Association said 24 August 2007 that it has received an Employment Training Panel (ETP) contract from the State of California to provide training programs in both the auto glass and…
The National Glass Association said 24 August 2007 that it has received an Employment Training Panel (ETP) contract from the State of California to provide training programs in both the auto glass and flat/architectural glass sectors that will include a mix of classroom and laboratory work and online training through www.MyGlassClass.com. The courses can lead to NGA certification for auto glass installers and flat glass technicians, respectively, and the training will be conducted in California, with each instructor-led course accommodating between 10-20 students. “Our member companies in California – and nationwide – consistently cite finding and keeping skilled workers as one of the most pressing issues facing their companies, so we are proud to play a key role in addressing such a critical issue,” said David Walker, the NGA“s vice president for Association Services. “The skilled worker challenge can have a profound impact on a company“s ability to thrive and compete, and national, state and local economies are affected as well. Our world-class training programs that have been developed by experts within the industry are a proven difference-maker in this area.” The ETP program is performance-based, providing funds for trainees who successfully complete training and are retained in well-paying jobs for a specific period of time. Since its inception in 1983, the ETP program has provided over USD 1 billion to train more than 660,000 workers in over 60,000 California companies. The program is funded by the Employment Training Tax paid by California employers, and targets firms threatened by out-of-state and international competition. “We look forward to a long and mutually-beneficial partnership with the state of California that helps companies find the workers they need and helps residents find rewarding and challenging careers in the glass industry,” Mr. Walker concluded.