How to find free workers

This post comes from Angela Colley at partner site Money Talks News.

The unemployment rate is 8.3%, which translates into 12.8 million Americans out of a job.

There's a lot of talk about the causes and solutions for the stubbornly high unemployment rate, but relatively little talk about the programs already in place to help employers find workers and workers find jobs. For example, many states offer incentives to persuade employers to hire more workers, including sometimes paying months of a new hire's salary. 

In the video below, Stacy Johnson talked to both a worker and an employer who benefited from such a program. Check it out, then read on to learn more.

Often, when a business hires new employees, it spends several months training them. During that time, the business is paying their  full wages or salaries, which is why some employers pass on employees who lack the necessary training but are otherwise qualified.

Some workforce offices recognize this problem and will reimburse employers, up to a certain percent, for hiring a new worker and providing on-the-job training. The amount of reimbursement varies by program.

For example, Workforce One in Florida will reimburse 50% to 90% of the employee's salary for up to three months. A similar program in Connecticut offers a six-month "wage subsidy" and a "manufacturer training grant." 

What you need

Just like the programs, the requirements for hiring new workers vary by state. Typically, you'll need to have an opening that would require on-the-job training, then hire an unemployed worker who's a local resident. For example, if you hired someone through a local workforce office and trained them for three months, you'd likely qualify for a reimbursement.

Restrictions apply. For example, you can't use the program to train your current employees. Some programs also prohibit you from rehiring a former employee and claiming a training reimbursement.

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How to sign up

You can look up training programs offered in your state by checking with your local labor or employment office website. The U.S. Department of Labor has a list of unemployment offices by state.

You can also sign up for the program by visiting your local workforce services office. Bonus: A workforce services office can help you find qualified employees and cut down the time and resources you'd normally spend looking. Use the America's Service Locator to find a workforce services office in your area.

More on Money Talks News and MSN Money:

• 7 ways an employment center can get you a job 
• 6 ways to succeed at your damn job
• The 10 best and 5 worst careers
• 10 states with good news on jobs
• The US still has a serious jobs problem
• Jobs that pay $1 a minute