OJT reimburses employers that hire, train new workers

From the City and County of Honolulu

Oahu WorkLinks OJT is a federally funded program to help defray employers' training costs when they hire qualified new employees and train them on the job. Funding may also be available for employers to train existing workers when they are promoted to new jobs.

The City and County of Honolulu will reimburse employers at least 50 percent of the employee’s wages during the training period. Depending on the funding source and the size of the company, small companies with one to 50 employees may receive up to 90 percent of the wages during the training period.

The length of training depends on the skills required for the job.  It generally does not exceed six months. Employers decide who they want to hire and train. Oahu WorkLinks can help find a qualified worker and refer her/him to the employer.  The worker can also be someone that the employer is already interested in hiring. The employer can refer her/him to Oahu WorkLinks to see if s/he qualifies for OJT.

Because there are several programs, Oahu WorkLinks can help the employer determine the eligibility qualifications of the worker.  It is usually someone who is laid off or unemployed. The employer completes an Employer Data form as part of a pre-award survey, signs a six-page OJT agreement and develops a training plan with the help of an Oahu WorkLinks business developer. This paperwork must be completed before a new employee starts working.

The jobs can range from entry level to professional and managerial – high-skill and high-wage jobs are targeted. The jobs cannot be temporary and they cannot be used to displace current employees.

The average turnaround time for a new employee under the program is two to three weeks. A business developer will respond to an employer's inquiry the next business day. For a new employer, how long it takes to get started depends on how long the employer takes to complete the pre-award survey, sign the agreement and set up a training plan. It also depends on how quickly a qualified worker can be hired for the job opening.

Employers submit a monthly invoice after the employee has worked the hours in the training plan. After the invoice is received by the city, it takes 4 to 6 weeks for the employer to receive the reimbursement check.

Interested employers can contact Oahu WorkLinks business developers Teri Young, (808) 768-5710 or tyoung@honolulu.gov, or Sandy Dyel, (808) 768-5808 or sdyel@honolulu.gov, to find out more about the OJT program or to get started.