Lynch Launches Plan to Train Jobless Workers

Gov. John Lynch knows that the state's 38,000 unemployed residents are ready to go back to work and businesses want to hire them, but first they need a little help.

On Tuesday morning, Lynch launched his Work Ready NH program at Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth, one of four community colleges that will work with the state Department of Education, Department of Resources and Economic Development and Department of Employment Security to give workers the skills they need to compete.

Lynch said getting New Hampshire people back to work continues to be his top priority.

“As governor, my number one focus continues to be jobs and the economy. Our unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the nation, but I will not rest until everyone who wants a job in New Hampshire can get a job,” Lynch said.

During the several business roundtables he held with New Hampshire companies around the state, Lynch said the one issue that kept coming up again and again was that many workers they hired lacked sufficient math, reading or problem solving skills to do the job.

"The ReadyWork program was created as a direct result of the feedback we received from New Hampshire businesses," Lynch said.

He cited an example of a baker who had a worker who was unable to do the job for which they were hired because "they could not solve basic fractions."

In order to meet the future growth needs that these companies will have once the economy rebounds, Lynch said his Work Ready NH program will help unemployed state residents get whatever skills they need to succeed.

Unemployed workers who choose to participate in Work Ready, will receive take a test assessing their skills, and remedial training in basic areas where necessary. Upon completion they will receive a nationally recognized certification, which they can take to potential employers, giving business owners confidence that new hires will have the necessary skills they are looking for.

“Job-seekers can look to New Hampshire's community colleges and the Work Ready New Hampshire program for an accessible, convenient and effective way to achieve the goal of getting back to work," said Bonnie Newman, the interim chancellor of state's Community College System. “The Work Ready NH program is a win-win for those individuals seeking jobs and those businesses seeking well-qualified employees.”

Tara Reardon, commissioner of the Department of Employment Security in Concord, said although New Hampshire has a 5.3 percent unemployment rate, it translates into 38,000 people being out of work. She believes the Work Ready NH program will make a difference for workers and businesses.

"This program works for the unemployed," Reardon said. "Businesses know what the cost of hiring the wrong person is."

Chris Lawrence, director of Great Bay Community College's Business and Training Center, said the school had its first Work Ready NH client taking an assessment test on campus this morning. He explained that unemployed workers who want to take online courses to strengthen their math, reading and problem solving skills need to take the test first to identify their needs. Once they complete the online courses, they obtain a certificate.

Work Ready is the final component of New Hampshire Working, a three-part initiative introduced by Gov. Lynch last year. It is designed to help companies and workers avoid layoffs, help unemployed workers return to work and the third and final part, provide training to help workers get new jobs.

Under the first part of New Hampshire Working, the state is able to partner with businesses and workers to provide an alternative to layoffs. Companies and workers agree to reduced hours instead of layoffs, and the state makes up part of the lost wages for workers through unemployment benefits.

Workers will keep their jobs, their health insurance and most of their income. Companies will be able to retain the skilled workers they need to recover, and taxpayers will avoid increased costs as the demand for state services increases as unemployment rises. This part of New Hampshire Working is modeled after successful job-share programs in other states.

The second part of New Hampshire Working reduces upfront training costs for companies – often an impediment to hiring – and is providing on-the-job training to help workers get new jobs. Unemployed workers are able to continue to receive unemployment benefits while participating in up to six weeks of training at a potential new employer. A company has until the end of that period to decide if a worker has the skills the business needs.