The Hawaii State Legislature established the Employment and Training Fund (ETF), which is funded by an employment and training fund assessment and
administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR).
The ETF program serves the training needs of the community by simultaneously addressing economic development and workforce development, which is critical to the continued economic viability and growth of the State.
The purpose of the ETF program is to "assist employers and workers through innovative programs to include, but not be limited to, business-specific training, upgrading training, new occupational skills, management skills, and support services to improve the long-term employability of Hawaii's people."
The key to a successful training program is the integration of many types of training directly linked to a business' strategic goals and capacity building initiatives. Training is a key aspect in the performance of a business' ability to compete successfully in the global marketplace, while addressing the skill development needs for the existing workforce.
ETF has evolved to serve the training needs of Hawaii's small business community, which are not being met by other resources. For most small companies, costs to develop and implement a training program specific to a company's needs are prohibitive. In Hawaii, 98% of businesses employ fewer than 100 employees, with 87% having fewer than 20 employees. By aggregating the support and demand, the business community can successfully develop viable training resources.
The overall mission of the program is to provide services and resources that make it possible for businesses to identify and utilize training as a tool toward achieving their business goals.
Examples of training activities that have been funded with ETF funds to assist businesses stay competitive are: supervisory training, management training, customer service training, and marketing strategy. Many businesses have also been assisted with upgrade training of their employees with various computer software programs in order to keep their businesses and employees up-to-date and competitive in the labor market.
For more information, contact Khamtoun Porter at (808) 233-3707.
EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING FUND (ETF)