On the job training program

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Shannon McCullar needs more than tools that spin and spark to do her job well.

"I wasn't trained to work in a factory. I was skilled in other departments," said McCullar.

But thanks to one job's program, Shannon now fits right in on the factory floor.

The program is called On the Job Training. It's offered by the Department of Job and Family Services.

Basically, it reimburses companies for part of the wages they pay workers while they're being trained.

"Essentially, you're picking who you want and you're going to design the training and there's very little chance of failure there," said Lucious Plant, Workforce Development Administrator of Job and Family Services.

One of the roughly 80 companies in the area that uses the program is FC Industries where Shannon works.

The parts manufacturer has been on the rise lately, so it's giving hiring the green light.

But these aren't your father's factory jobs. In some cases it takes six months to get someone up to speed.

"We feel we know best what we want. We're able to work with a program like that to get good quality people who want to work and bring them in here," said Mike Casella, President of FC Industries.

The company says over the last two years, it's kept about 80 percent of the people hired through the program and that kind of success gives it an edge.

And it gives people like Shannon, who had been out of work for about a year and a half, a chance to get their hands on training and their minds off looking for a job.

If your business is interested in taking part in the program, call the Department of Job and Family Services at 225-6444.