PENSACOLA, Fla. – Armstrong World Industries, with help from the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, recently received a $50,000 incumbent worker training grant from Workforce Florida to train 60 of its existing employees.
Armstrong World Industries, which manufactures commercial and residential ceiling tiles, currently employs 300 locally. The grant allows them to train 60 full-time employees in the maintenance department, who represent 20 percent of the plant employees.
“Although times are tough, it is important for us to invest in our employees,” said Allyson Poskocil of Armstrong. “Thanks to the Chamber, we found out about the grant. We are using the funding toward electrical and instrumentation training for our current electricians to help secure a competitive edge for the future.”
“In addition to the training, the grant is funding a precision maintenance training initiative,” she added. “Armstrong employees will be trained to use advanced prognostic tools that predict and prevent equipment failure.”
“You can’t ever pass up training that will help you in the future,” said Dale Kirchharr, an Armstrong electrician attending the training.
The incumbent worker training program has provided customized training for more than 500 businesses throughout the state of Florida since it was established in 1999. Through this program, Florida is able to retain and assist in keeping businesses competitive through skills upgrade training for existing employees.
“The Chamber’s grant program has allowed Escambia County’s existing companies to stay competitive by improving the skills of their workforce,” said Kara Melendez, manager of existing business and workforce services at the Pensacola Chamber. “Armstrong’s training program will be a vital component of the company’s overall employee development efforts, making the Pensacola location more successful.”
Each year, the Pensacola Chamber works with 100 existing businesses to help them with needs such as workforce training, expansion assistance and international trade.
Armstrong is a worldwide leader in manufacturing and marketing acoustical ceilings and suspension systems for commercial and residential applications. The business mix is nearly 90 percent commercial, with approximately two-thirds in improvement projects and the balance in new construction, which includes offices, healthcare, education, retail, transportation and other segments. The residential market, more than 10 percent, is primarily in home improvement and remodeling projects.
If you know of a company that would benefit from this type of assistance, please e-mail Kara Melendez at kmelendez@pensacolachamber.com. |
