The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) recently received $6.4 million in federal funds to encourage hiring of long-term unemployed, dislocated workers and help off-set the cost of training these new hires. This is the second round of funds New York State has received from the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) under the On-the-Job Training / National Emergency Grant (OJT/NEG) program.

What is On-the-Job Training (OJT)?
OJT pairs businesses with the workers they need. These people will require some specialized training to do the job; training only the business can provide. The OJT/NEG program covers from 50-90% of new hires’ wages during the training period. Reimbursement rates are determined by the size of the business:

• 50 or fewer employees are eligible for up to 90% reimbursement
• 51 to 250 employees are eligible for up to 75% reimbursement
• More than 250 are eligible for up 50% wage reimbursement

Who is eligible to participate in the OJT/NEG program?
This program is meant to advance the hiring of long term unemployed dislocated workers. This means persons who:

• Have enrolled in the WIA Dislocated Worker Program
• Have a dislocation date of January 1, 2008 or later
• Be experiencing prolonged unemployment (20 weeks or more)
• Have had a skills assessment through JobZone/ O*Net

Businesses that participate in the program must:

• Be private for profit or private not-for-profit
• Be located in New York State
• Be in good standing with New York State
• Have full-time work (30 hours or more per week)
• Hire them as employees of the business --- not independent contractors or contract employees

The OJT/NEG program is NOT for:

• Public entities
• Businesses that have moved any part of their operations and laid off staff in the last 120 days

OJT/NEG will not cover intermittent, part-time (less than 30 hours per week) and seasonal occupations.
Training for these jobs cannot exceed six months. All training activities must be concluded by June 30, 2014.

What help is available?
One Stop Staff will work with interested businesses to fully develop the qualifications of the worker(s)
needed.

How do I apply for the NEG/OJT program?
Questions and to apply for this program should be directed to Michele Nichols, (585) 344-2042, x239 or
email mnichols@co.genesee.ny.us