Small businesses offered reimbursement for employee training

(January 31, 2012)— Small businesses can qualify to receive up to $3,000 per employee for training through the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Small Business Employee Training (SBET) program.

The SBET is designed to benefit business and industry by assisting in the skill development of existing employees through individual training. Employers are reimbursed for tuition and required textbooks and manuals once the training has been completed and proper documentation has been submitted to the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC).

Bob Winker, Assistant General Manager at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of Louisiana and Biloxi has assisted many businesses with the SBET program. Outside of colleges and universities, New Horizons is one of the only Information Technology (IT) and computer training providers for the SBET locally.

Winker says that many IT firms find it difficult to find qualified employees and they end up recruiting out of state. The SBET program allows employees the opportunity to get training and grow within the company and retain employment.

“We’re seeing a lot more IT companies that are coming to this,” Winker said. “I think it is accredited to the focus of the State as a whole to bring in that industry. The SBET program allows businesses who are still in the growth phase to look out to hire and up to grow.”

Computer skills training is not the only training you can receive through the program. The SBET program can consist of classes of non-credit or credit at an educational institution, training from a manufacturer or their representative with the purchase of new equipment and even training from a national, regional, or state trade association with the passing of certain criteria.

For businesses to be eligible for the SBET program they must be a Louisiana based business with fifty or fewer employees and have been in business in the State for at least three years contributing and in full compliance with state Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax laws. Trainees must be incumbent workers for whom the employer incurs a state UI tax liability and employers cannot receive Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP) SBET and IWTP customized training concurrently.

When an eligible employer decides what training is needed and selects a suitable training provider, they then have to complete and submit an SBET application online and send signature page to LWC. Once approved, training may begin and the employer will receive reimbursement with proof of payment and documentation of training.

For the full detailed information on how small businesses can enroll in the SBET program, visit the LAWorks.net links on the business resources section on the Jefferson Chamber website at www.jeffersonchamber.org/business-resources. For more information on New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of New Orleans and Biloxi visit www.newhorizons-no.com or for questions regarding either the SBET program or any of their training options, you can contact New Horizons at (504) 849-6600 or e-mail: sales.neworleans@newhorizons.com and one of the account executives will assist you.

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