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Esmeralda County approves Nye Communities Coalition on‑the‑job training partnership
Summary
The board voted unanimously Jan. 6 to partner with Nye Communities Coalition for an On‑the‑Job Training (OJT) program that can reimburse 50–75% of trainee wages and cover supportive costs, aiming to help residents earn CDL and other job certifications.
Esmeralda County commissioners on Jan. 6 unanimously approved a master contract and pre‑award checklist with the Nye Communities Coalition to place eligible residents in on‑the‑job training positions with county departments and local employers.
Ed Kelly, job developer for the coalition, told the board the program reimburses employers for a portion of wages while trainees complete between about 240 and 1,000 hours of work‑based training. "We can reimburse anywhere from 50 to 75% of those wages during the training time," Kelly said, adding the program sometimes covers supportive costs such as hotel rooms, gas and licensing fees for training that requires travel.
Lori Metscher, project director with the coalition, said participation is eligibility‑based under federal income guidelines: the adult program requires participants to be 18 or older and meet income criteria. She said the coalition has previously provided CDL training and paid for related travel and lodging for trainees participating in county road‑department programs.
County commissioners framed the partnership as a way to address local workforce needs. Commissioner Fred Perez said the program has been used previously by county departments and praised its potential: "This is incredible for where we are in our county for what we may need in the future," he said. Commissioner Mary Jane Zakas moved approval; Commissioner Perez seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
The agreement requires participating employers to provide time sheets, pay stubs and progress evaluations; the coalition aims for trainees to remain in full‑time employment for at least six months after training completion. The board did not authorize any direct county expenditure for the contract; the coalition manages federal grant funds to reimburse employers.
