Locating and training a qualified workforce has become the number one issue for business. Recognizing the importance of this issue, the Department of Economic Development has dedicated a staff position to work with businesses, educational and training institutions, and other County agencies to identify the current and future workforce needs of employers in Baltimore County.
The Department works with partners to develop new training programs, effectively market existing programs and encourage links between business and education. Partners include the Office of Workforce Development (OWD), Baltimore County Public Schools, the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), the County Executive's Advisory Board on Higher Education, the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education and local four-year institutions such as UMBC, Towson University, Villa Julie College, and Loyola College.
Customized training and recruitment programs and training grants are available through both Baltimore County and the State of Maryland.
The Baltimore County Office of Workforce Development (OWD) assists businesses in filling job openings. Services include :
- A dedicated Business Services staff to provide business with a streamlined point-of-contact system to coordinate customized solutions for workforce development needs
- Access to an active and diverse candidate pool throughout the state ranging from management level professionals to skilled laborers with expertise in various industry sectors
- Coordinated recruitment efforts on behalf of business, including pre-screening and assessment of candidates, provision of facilities for recruitment initiatives, advertisement, and staff assistance throughout your initiatives to ensure efficiency and goal attainment
- Promotion of a company's recruitment initiatives to local educational institutions, partner agencies and other organizations to broaden your access to candidate populations
- On-going support for business Human Resources staff to assist with both start-up efforts and continual growth and fluctuations in your workforce needs
- Access to several training grant funding resources to assist business with training existing workforce and any new hires. OWD Business Services Staff will assist businesses through the application process to grant approval. Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ)
The program is specifically designed to upgrade the skills of a company's existing employees. The training is designed according to the company's specifications and is usually concentrated in three proven areas of impact: Quality Management and Professional Development, Manufacturing Modernization and Process Improvement. Training may be conducted by outside vendors selected by the company or the training may be conducted in house. Grants provide up to 50 percent reimbursement of training costs.
Customized and Upgrade Training
Customized training is developed according to each business's specifications and is designed to train unemployed individuals for a specific job. The training is conducted with a commitment by the business to hire eligible individuals upon their successful completion of training. Upgrade training is designed for existing employees who need to increase or enhance their skill levels in order to maintain employment.
Maryland Industrial Training Partnership (MITP)
The Maryland Industrial Training Program provides grants to companies for the development and training of new employees. Firms locating or expanding in Maryland are eligible. MITP reimburses companies for eligible costs of training programs that are customized to the work process.
The Baltimore County Executive's Advisory Board for Higher Education (EAB) brings representatives from the region's colleges and universities together with business leaders to assist in meeting the changing skills needed from today's workforce. Businesses are invited to present their specific training and workforce needs to the Board for review and consultation.
Contact us about workforce development,
recruitment and training at businesshelp@baltimorecountymd.gov
Or call 410-887- 8000
Baltimore County
Department of Economic Development
400 Washington Avenue Towson Maryland 21204
Phone 410-887-8000
Revised April 26, 2007
Courthouse 