MONTGOMERY— Forty workers at a Russellville plant will soon learn new skills to boost their job performance with the help of a $50,000 grant awarded by Gov. Bob Riley.   

The grant will pay for a portion of the cost to train workers at FMI Products, a company that makes room heaters and vent-free gas logs. The employees will study methods to improve the company’s efficiency and the skills they gain will increase their earning potential. The company will contribute $60,000 toward the training cost.

“In today’s economy, maintaining a highly skilled, efficient workforce is a key to business survival,” Riley said.  “I am pleased to assist Alabama workers improve their job security by increasing their skills.” 

The training will focus on management techniques, production and quality control to help reduce waste in the production process and improved customer service.

Company officials estimate that the sessions, conducted over a six-month period, will increase the long-term earning potential of trained workers by 10 percent.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to Alabama by the U.S. Labor Department as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Riley informed Sam Scarbrough, FMI’s plant manager, that the grant had been approved.         

            --30--

Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers