Governor Awards SaarGummi Tennessee, Richland LLC, and Magotteaux-Pulaski Job Training Grants

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley have awarded more than $52,000 for job training to three companies in Pulaski, Tenn.  The three companies are SaarGummi Tennessee, awarded $27,460, Richland, LLC, awarded $13,073, and Magotteaux-Pulaski, awarded $11,960. Incumbent Worker Training grants assist existing employers with training needs and averting possible layoffs.  Over the past three years, Incumbent Worker Training grants have totaled more than $5.7 million to assist more than 22,000 employees.

“It is vital for Tennessee employers to continually train and upgrade the skills of their workers for our state to remain economically competitive,” said Governor Bredesen. “Tennessee businesses can use Incumbent Worker Grants to retrain their existing employees in order to make their businesses more productive and the skills of their employees more valuable.”

“I am proud to award this grant money to keep area workers on the job,” said Commissioner Neeley.  “Not only will these companies benefit from the grant, but the surrounding communities of Giles County will benefit as well.”

 “I commend Governor Bredesen and Commissioner Neeley for awarding the Incumbent Worker grant to these three companies,” said Senator Doug Jackson. “This will help keep Giles County workers employed and help improve our economy.”

“The Incumbent Worker grants are a wonderful tool for companies to train their workers in the latest technology and production skills,” said Representative Eddie Bass.

The South Central Tennessee Workforce Board played a key role in awarding the grants to the Giles County Companies.

 The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the Incumbent Worker Training program. The program has been structured to be flexible to meet the business’s training objectives The business may use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of the training.

The following criteria must be met to qualify for the Incumbent Worker Training Program. Employers must be in operation in Tennessee for at least one year prior to application date. Employers must have at least five full-time employees, demonstrate financial viability and be current on all state tax obligations. Funding priority is given to businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant layoff avoidance strategy and represent a significant upgrade of skills.