The Baltimore Workforce Investment Board (BWIB) in conjunction with the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) was awarded $575,000 from the Governor's Workforce Investment Board to fund pilot programs for skills upgrade training and services for 135 employed or recently employed parents.

Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Workforce Investment Board & Mayor's Office of Employment Development

Baltimore, MD-The Baltimore Workforce Investment Board (BWIB) in conjunction with the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) was awarded $575,000 from the Governor's Workforce Investment Board to fund pilot programs for skills upgrade training and services for 135 employed or recently employed parents.

"Focusing on under-employed working individuals with dependent children, the Skills-based Training for Employment Program (STEP) fills a necessary void in the Baltimore community," said Mayor Martin O'Malley. Karen L. Sitnick, MOED director, explained, "Currently, Workforce Investment Act dollars are limited and focused on assisting unemployed rather than under-employed, incumbent workers. This grant offers assistance to this often overlooked population in Baltimore City which constitutes 60% of the State's working poor. It also responds to the needs of low income parents to gain access to family supported careers and full benefits."

The health industry will be the primary focus of the grant, enabling 100 incumbent workers in low-income, entry-level jobs at Johns Hopkins Health System, University of Maryland Medical Center, LifeBridge and Mercy Health Services to cross over into skilled health occupations with higher wages and employer-paid benefits. These individuals are currently working for the participating employers in entry level positions such as housekeepers, dietary aides and security guards, where wage rates are between $6.50 - $8.50 per hour. Depending on an assessment of skills, interests and abilities, participants will be trained for positions that are in demand such as pharmacy technician, nursing extender, medical coder and surgical technician, with wage rates between $10.20- $13.55 with benefits. This increase in salary ranges from 21% to 108%.

By increasing the mobility of low wage working parents through targeted training in health care occupations and assisting employers in need of skilled workers, this grant actively bridges the skills gap that so many of the City's health institutions are currently experiencing.

In addition to the 100 incumbent workers in the health care industry, an additional 35 individuals will be provided with training services in high growth fields. Baltimore City Community College and participating employers will provide training for the project. These participants can select training from vendors on the State's approved list which includes over 90 schools offering hundreds of courses.

In the last legislative session the General Assembly and the Governor authorized the STEP Program. A total of $1,000,000 was appropriated to funding pilot programs for skills upgrade training and services for employed or recently employed parents. This is a pilot project that can be replicated and expanded across the region.