Job Opportunities in Nevada has been providing workforce training services in Humboldt, Lander and Pershing counties since 1972.
Job training funding has come through a number of federal programs over the years.
Today, JOIN gets 100 percent of its funding from the federal Workforce Development Act through Nevada Works, a state agency. Nevada Works distributes workforce training funding in a competitive grant process.
JOIN director Joyce Moore said the competitive bid process is open to colleges, universities, businesses and other entities offering job training. However, she's confident JOIN will receive full funding this year - as it has every year for decades.
Humboldt County has the fourth-lowest unemployment rate among Nevada's counties consistently, said Nevada Works CEO John Thurman, adding a vital job training program has contributed to that statistic.
"I don't see that in other parts of the areas we represent," Thurman said.
"JOIN collaborates with a lot of other training providers," Thurman pointed out, listing three state agencies: Vocational Rehabilitation, JobConnect, and State Mental Health, along with Great Basin College, Humboldt County School District, the Fort McDermitt Tribal Council, the Rotary and Lions Clubs, and the Frontier Community Action Center.
JOIN training is available to economically disadvantaged adults and dislocated workers. Some of the training is in-house, such as post-secondary accredited training in secretarial and clerical skills.
Other classes, including welding, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Commercial Drivers License training are offered in partnership with Great Basin College in both Winnemucca and Battle Mountain.
Moore said for JOIN to send someone to an outside training, they have to ensure that provider is on a state-approved eligible provider list.
Moore said JOIN is required to stay in contact with those who've received training for at least a year.
She noted there are 17 federal performance measures to show that people who have received Workforce Development Act funding have been able to find a job and stay employed using the skills they learned at JOIN. She added JOIN continues to provide services and support to those they've trained.
Contact Joyce Sheen at j.sheen@winnemuccapublishing.net.[[In-content Ad]]
