Pictured from left: Craig Stolsonburg – Business Solutions Representative, West Michigan Works!; Kerry Boulter – Training Coordinator, Flexfab; Kevin Trahan – Maintenance Technician, Flexfab

Hastings manufacturer, Flexfab, leveraged workforce training funds to help cover the cost of long-time employee Kevin Trahan’s certification in Managing Industrial Networks for Manufacturing.

Tapping into available training funds “helps us educate our workforce, giving our employees and Flexfab the best possible chance to succeed,” said Kerry Boulter, HR Training Coordinator for Flexfab.

Funding through programs like the Incumbent Worker Training Program allows employers in West Michigan to upgrade the skills of existing employees, like Kevin. This training can help employees retain or maintain employment, enhance their wage earning capacity, add to the viability and productivity of the business or avert a layoff situation. Employers benefit by engaging existing employees, reducing turn-over and filling talent gaps.