Community colleges tailoring programs to companies' needs

Work force training budgets are among the first to get axed when companies pare expenses to get through tight economic times - and often the last to be reinstated when business picks up.

That's why two state-sponsored grant programs are a welcome relief for many Colorado businesses, said Jerry Fritz, dean of the Economic and Workforce Development Division at Pikes Peak Community College.

The Colorado First and Colorado Existing Industry programs of the state's Office of Economic Development are making $2.7 million in grants available for the year.

Applications will be taken in August, with approvals being made in September. Money is available from mid-September through May 2010 for community colleges to create educational programs for any industry.

PPCC used $506,000 of the state funding last year to customize programs for companies in El Paso County, said Fritz, a business consultant who arrived in Colorado Springs from Wisconsin last year to revitalize PPCC's work force development curriculum.

"We're looking at what we can do to help support the community because we recognize the importance of an adequately trained work force," he said.

Companies relocating to Colorado, undertaking major expansions, adding employees, implementing new technologies or changing business strategies can benefit from the courses and seminars that Fritz's division generates. State money can also fund internal training programs.

"A lot of businesses are in survival mode and sitting tight right now," Fritz said, "but many have a huge need for training new and existing employees."

State training grants have saved Springs Fabrication about $60,000, said Cindy Alire, human-resources generalist for the metal product design and manufacturing firm.

The company's 116 employees have learned lean manufacturing principles, including organizational concepts, eliminating waste and streamlining operations, she said. For example, individual workstations now have color-coordinated tools to improve efficiency. And team leaders took a course on coaching employees, which Fritz taught on-site at the plant.

"We have to stay competitive, and by staying lean we have the edge," Alire said.

She noted many of their clients seek out contractors who demonstrate lean principles because "it saves us and them money."

Layton Truck Equipment Co., which builds commercial trucks, has used about $50,000 in grant monies for training from PPCC in lean manufacturing, sales and customer service, said Steve Hayes, general manager.

The results are noticeable, he said.

On average, the company's 65 employees have reduced the amount of time it takes to construct a vehicle by 60 percent.

"That's significant savings," Hayes said. "Even though we've been doing this work for a long time, it always helps to get a fresh set of eyes to look at your processes and help you identify ways to improve them."

Fritz's division has other programs in the works, including a Human Resources University, a series of 10 workshops that will begin in September for any company interested in improving its human resources department.

The workforce development division also has designed seven courses for Army soldiers to learn a trade or skill they can do after re-entering civilian life.

The federal government pays the soldiers' tuition under the Army Vocational/Technical Program.

Among the local courses: 14 Fort Carson soldiers are enrolled in a welding class; 25 are taking an emergency medical technician course; and seven started learning horse shoeing this week and will earn a certificate in farrier science in October.