Maryland Commerce Joins with Community Colleges to Launch Workforce Training Program

Maryland WorkSmart program designed to partner Maryland employers with community colleges to meet workforce training needs

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Maryland Department of Commerce has joined with the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) to launch a program that partners the state’s 16 community colleges with local employers to build customized workforce training and assess future training needs. A “one stop shop” for Maryland businesses and workforce stakeholders, the Maryland WorkSmart program will provide training through a network of centers located at each of the community college campuses.

“Maryland WorkSmart will help businesses close skill gaps in their industries and enable our community colleges to better prepare for the workforce training needs of the future,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “This innovative program further demonstrates our administration’s commitment to ensure that Maryland’s businesses have every possible advantage to succeed and grow in Maryland.”

Maryland WorkSmart offers customized training programs, relevant workforce training, and degree programs. If an employer is interested in a training curriculum that doesn’t exist in the colleges, the colleges will work together and even have the ability to reach out to national partners to create the module to meet the employer’s needs. The program leverages the existing relationships that the community colleges have with more than 1,000 employers across the state.

“There should never be a current or prospective Maryland employer who perceives the lack of an adequate workforce as an impediment to its success,” said Dr. Bernard Sadusky, executive director of MACC. “We are proud of our ability to support the existing and emerging needs of our communities and help to grow an economy that can provide sustainable careers.”

“Maryland’s community colleges are among the best in the nation and they offer outstanding training programs to meet the needs of an ever-evolving workforce,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “This program will further strengthen the colleges’ ability to address some of the unmet workforce training needs while at the same time giving Maryland a strategic edge in being able to offer this unique program to our businesses.”

For more information, visit http://mdacc.org/programs-training/employee-training/

About Maryland Commerce

The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.