Centene seizes instruction opportunity in Great Falls – Workforce Training Funding Available to Montana Companies

A warm welcome from the business community is one of the reasons St. Louis-based Centene Corp. looked at expanding to Great Falls a couple of years ago.

A motivated and well-educated work force helped as well, officials say.

So a state-sponsored grant program that provides money to train workers for newly created jobs wasn’t a deal sealer when it came down to building a Centene Corp. medical claims processing center here. But it didn’t hurt either.

The Workforce Training Act provides grant money for businesses creating 10 or more new jobs. The grants are a one-to-three match, with the business required to foot 75 percent of the bill.

"It really is the community investing back into the community," said Bob Schenk, director of corporate marketing and communication for the company.

The Workforce Training Act program was established by the 2003 Legislature. It’s aimed at new or expanding businesses, specifically those that add at least 10 new jobs and pay at least $12.92 per hour in wages and benefits, said Fran Viereck, the grant program officer.

By JO DEE BLACK
Tribune Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051121/BUSINESS/511210323/1046