Organization educates local workers

By Melody Gustafson

SALEM – The arm of KSU known as Workforce Development and Continuing Studies offers training for any adult in the community who wants to improve his or her job skills.

According to Director Dianne Kloss, the non-profit organization is a member of the Enterprise Ohio Network (EON), which is an entity of the Ohio Board of Regents. "It's an association funded by the Board of Regents to provide resources and support for continuing education,' she said.

The various locations are affiliated with more than 50 campuses all over Ohio, including the KSU campus in East Liverpool. The Ohio Board of Regents allots funding to the agency to train people for the specific needs of local companies. The state-earmarked funds funnel through KSU and are doled out annually to Workforce Development.

“We get people involved in some training, and they begin to climb a career ladder,” Tressler said. She described the role of the coordinators as designers of customized training. Employers contact the coordinators, who arrange specific courses for the employees, so that they are better equipped to manage the day to day affairs.

Coordinator Joseph Smith discussed some of the local businesses that use Workforce Development’s services frequently. Heritage/WTI, a waste incineration company, and the East Liverpool City Hospital benefit from a great deal of leadership training that ensures that their employees and supervisors are “on the same page.”

Smith said, “We identify trainers for companies.” For example, law requires Heritage/WTI to have a fire brigade among the ranks. There are only two qualified fire brigade trainers in the country, and Smith matches them with a company that requires the education service.

“We would still like to see our value in the community increase,” he said. Anyone who wants to learn new skills can call the nearest Workforce Development office.

Over 600 courses, some in Spanish, are available to meet the professional development needs of the public. ACT Preparation Courses are $75 per student and are offered several times during the fall and winter months. The Microsoft Office package costs $109 and that price includes the textboook. New and different classes start monthly. For more information, go to www.ed2go.com/ksusalem or call 330-382-7545.