Governor Phil Scott has announced that the Agency of Commerce & Community Development’s Department of Economic Development awarded GW Plastics Inc. Vermont Training Program (VTP) grants of more than $80,000. Two distinct initiatives will be funded under the grant program.
“The primary charge of the Vermont Training Program is to support performance-based training efforts statewide,” said Governor Phil Scott. “Dollars invested with this strong and growing manufacturer are an example of Vermont’s commitment to workforce development, which is so important to our work to strengthen our workforce and create more opportunity for all Vermonters.”
The VTP grant, awarded at $63,750, will support process engineer training for new employees, leadership training, the GW Certificate in Manufacturing Leadership Technology, and molder apprenticeship training. This investment will help up-skill incumbent workers, enhance performance and broaden understanding of business skills.
An additional VTP pipeline grant brings another $16,594 to the organization for a “School of Tech” initiative in partnership with Bethel, Randolph and Royalton school districts. It explores how Advanced Manufacturing fits into the Vermont economy and the global marketplace, as well as how technology and progressive organizational approaches changed manufacturing processes in the workplace. Students are provided an overview of the manufacturing process starting with a request for proposal, to designing and building production tooling on CAD systems and advanced CNC equipment. Students also learn the fundamentals of plastics.
GW Plastics President and CEO Brenan Riehl remarked, “GW Plastics, a medical device contract manufacturer supplying Fortune 500 clients around the world, depends on its team to continue to meet its customers demanding requirements. These funds, awarded by the Vermont Training Program, will help develop our emerging leaders and technical staff in achieving their potential and propelling GW to a strong future.”
The Vermont Training Program is administered by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Department of Economic Development. It is a workforce development program to enhance the skills of the Vermont workforce and increase productivity of Vermont employers; grants may cover up to 50 percent of the training cost which can either be on-site or through a training provider/vendor. For more information on VTP, visit http://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/vtp.
About GW Plastics
Founded in 1955, GW Plastics engages in the contract manufacturing of injection molded plastic components, thermoplastics, and silicone components and assemblies. It offers concept development, industrial design, product design and development, design history file, and design verification and validation; and design for manufacturing services. For more information on GW Plastics, visit http://www.gwplastics.com/.
About the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s (ACCD) mission is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. ACCD accomplishes this mission by providing grants, technical assistance, and advocacy through three divisions: The Department of Economic Development, the Department of Tourism and Marketing, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information on ACCD please visit: accd.vermont.gov.